We reported in good faith that Jamie Paterson was out injured for the Huddersfield Town game yesterday, albeit on Thursday morning. Sources told us very clearly he would be in Bristol for the weekend recovering from an illness. Now there seems to be some doubt on that explanation.

Yes, the information was right, he didn’t play, but the reasoning was not correct at all it seems.

Obviously we realise that Paterson may well be ill, and the disclosures today are nothing more than false rumour, we’ve heard a lot of that over our eighteen months running this website. However, when seriously respected journalists tell to us freely and openly that it could well be more than that, we have to ask questions.

Having satisfactorily and seemingly happily agreeing to a contract extension, and then being quoted he is satisfied, along with his manager, and then all of a sudden it seems he is not. Then we have to ask questions. You see, Jamie Paterson had nothing on the table but a few non descriptive offers until Russell Martin stated ‘When we heard of his availability we couldn’t disregard it’ and so, he signs for Swansea City. He has clearly enjoyed his four months in a side that plays quality football, and is clearly moving forwards as a possession based football team. That’s why he agreed to the contract extension.

If he has any issues with that contract extension it isn’t with Swansea City, it is obvious those issues lay at the door of his advisors, the people who agreed his move to Swansea in the first place. The swans triggered that extra twelve months as per the agreement in August. A contract Paterson clearly signed and agreed to. After all, he had absolutely nothing else to agree to. Nobody wanted him. And if he had any doubts, he had advisors and they clearly informed him to sign it.

That’s without doubt.

It’s called an agreement, a signed contract between two entities of sound mind with no lawful excuses. In all football contracts there is usually a degree of flexibility and if this latest disclosure is believed, then Paterson can manoeuvre something in his favour, but when up against seasoned negotiators in Mark Allen and Julian Winter he has to tread carefully. We say again,‘if’and ‘allegedly’ when we talk about his contract extension. Because all we know today is he is in Bristol recovering from an illness.

Clearly if his illness issue is incorrect as was conveyed to us on Thursday morning, then there now seems to be another club offering more money, more security and a better end of career than he could get at Swansea. A club that allegedly he states has reinvigorated his career and inspired him as a professional. Okay, he has excelled, but Jamie Paterson has always excelled, but never consistently, We as swans supporters have seen a drop in his performances of late, coincidentally or otherwise in the run up to this transfer window.

He has never ever found a home.

Now he has, and he has more than met expectations, now we see a footballer who apparently ‘Wasn’t in the right head space’ to agree to his contract extension. Russell Martin clearly was aware of this in the week prior to the FA Cup tie against Southampton. Come on, had Paterson been one hundred per cent focussed he would have played. Where this player thinks he can go, and what he can achieve seems to matter not, if this is Paterson openly playing games and dancing to his agents tune because he can go elsewhere for more money then let him go. Put that price on his head, challenge him until the last second of the transfer window, then get the money in to improve our club, and wave goodbye.

Or, join Jay Fulton.

Think about this, Swansea City never planned for this, they had a hard hit with Ethan Laird and have ridden that blow out. Now we have a journeyman footballer to all intents and purposes who wants out, and uses his personal health as an excuse.

Allegedly.

Jamie Paterson needs to face up, he owes this clubs supporters an explanation, what is it ? Illness or money, you either want to play for our club or you do not. Stand up and look us squarely in the eye and man up. And don’t think this website is just a little disgruntled moan in the wind, it isn’t.

Thirty thousand plus views will register on this story as soon as it goes public, you see Swansea City don’t represent a county, nor just a town or city. With all due respects to Newport County and Wrexham there are two sides vying for the spotlight in this country, and Swansea City at this current time are head and shoulders above the rest. It’s proven. When you make a move in this clubs shirt it echoes throughout the country and beyond, so all we say tonight to Jamie Paterson is let’s hear from you, no excuses, cards on the table.

Just what is the score ?

Photographs licensed from Reuters

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