The mainstream media – who have been sitting on their hands, seemingly unaware of the situation surrounding Ross Stewart’s removal from the squad for the West Ham game nine days ago – are a cumbersome and pretty sad collection of so-called journalists.

We know that of course, and their lack of knowledge once again proves the point. With so much evident and worth questioning within the Swans match day selections, the paid sector of what is fast becoming a hopeless cause react with absolutely no creativity or research skills at all.

As our regular readers will be aware, this website covered the Ross Stewart issue last week, while numerous outlets bemoaned his sickness record. All along, of course, he had been due to be included in the squad for West Ham. That was until the club alerted head coach Vítor Matos during the build-up to the game as to the rules relating to homegrown players. So, somebody somewhere got it right. But the people who should know didn’t.

Speaking about the matter, Matos seemed bemused: “That is a homegrown situation and just because of that, I don’t know why, but the Scottish players don’t count. Maybe someone can explain that to me.”

As explained below, that isn’t totally accurate either.

That comment came as a bit of a shock. Although Matos hasn’t yet completed a year in English football, these are team selection issues he really should know about. He named Ross Stewart on the bench for the West Ham game before being told that the striker couldn’t play. Thomas Woodward then came in as an eligible player under the rules. Scottish players do count, provided they meet the relevant criteria.

Matos then stated a few days later: “It’s something that we are aware of, we were aware of it already. Sometimes it’s not always easy to go into the market in a way that makes sense. But that’s something we will try to address in the next window, while also knowing the challenges that come with a January transfer window. Of course, it’s something that we are aware of and something we will assess.”

Well, we have to cast doubt on that, as Vitor’s comments suggesting he was unaware of the situation were made only days before yesterday’s reported remarks which are completely opposite. That was about the time certain journalists saw an inroad to a story about what a homegrown player is. Again reacting, and in some cases waiting to copy and paste their news story. Matos hasn’t helped the case here either.

As Richard Bond, a locally based sports journalist, succinctly put it, a homegrown player is one who was registered with a club in England or Wales for three years before his 21st birthday. Nationality doesn’t come into it. It is all about where a player spent his teenage years. Clubs must also name at least one club-developed player: someone who has been with them since before the end of his under-19 season.

Along with Stephen Welsh, another Scot who does not qualify as a homegrown player – and there are plenty more – we pointed out the issues facing Matos last week, before this caused a stir. His statement yesterday that the club will look at the issue in January smacks of overall incompetence to us.

Surely the recruitment department, headed up by Jay Lefevre, and CEO Tom Gorringe, who signs off on the deals, had a strategy regarding this matter when signing players in the summer? Getting carried away with Snoop Dogg and the like is one thing, but as we have reported before, the basics need to be in place. The club have been on the crest of a wave with Jamestown Analytics, Shamrock, decent signings and an unexpected league position, but honestly, this shouldn’t be happening.

A huge part of recruitment – and it’s not just the responsibility of that department – is being fully aware of what you have and what you need to source. Everything should be carefully mapped out, with all the consequences considered. Plain and simple.The club have made great strides making progress on many fronts but having to leave a more than competent (and fit) player out who can win games because the club didn’t pick up on the rules is quite alarming.

Planning meetings have been held, the basics have been missed, and the responsibility doesn’t stop in the club shop or within a department that has manure thrown down from on high to the lowest common denominator. Unfortunately, Vítor’s comments are unsettling and raise some very serious questions about why this happened. Swansea City, after all, are an elite professional football club.

It isn’t a good look.

Photographs : See disclaimer + tag:reuters.com,2026:newsml_MT1SIPA000A4CE4Q:1858254034