Swansea City will leave in the direction of Bedfordshire tomorrow to prepare for their away championship game at Kenilworth Road, Luton on Saturday ( Kick Off 3pm ) Russell Martin finds himself as the head coach of a Swansea side that hasn’t experienced such a low time - potentially going back to the dark days of 2002.
The Swans have been lower in the league structure before of course. However, since the supporters took back the club, and of course the hard work that got the club back went on for a number of years prior - in fact from 1997, has there ever been such ill feeling ? ‘That’ Hull game was surely the lowest and most jubilant time in May 2003. Once the club sealed its immediate future in that last game there has rarely been a low point since. In fact the rise of the club through the years, that story of course we all know, hardly ever had the feeling of gloom and despondency we all feel today.
Of course, some will argue with that. But for me, I won’t.
Regardless of anyone’s feelings towards Russell Martin, his theory and practices and that of his staff there is a cloud hanging over the club. The feeling of the supporters has never been so negative, and even us at Swansea Independent have pointed the finger at the majority owners this year. However, their financial prudence cannot be argued with. The input of finance even this week of six million pounds should indicate the welfare of the club, albeit in the immediate future is secure.
The cries for the ownership to leave are not only going to be fruitless, they are pointless.
No matter what happens off the pitch we have a team at Swansea City who are in a hole which seems impossible to get out of. That has resulted in so much unhappiness within the superb support the Swans have that there is some alarm the head coach hasn’t been relieved of his duties. Again, we all know the script of this season, it’s been shocking at times. Russell Martin remains at the club because there’s little financial reasoning behind him and his staff leaving at such a significant cost. This would leave the club spending even more ( unless they promote from within, a further cost saving ) which is pointless at this stage. The club as we illustrated yesterday is ‘highly unlikely’ to be relegated even if they only win two more games this season, even now on forty three points the club could be safe.
That’s here –> Swansea relegated ?
Despite the state of the clubs playing staff, lack of business in January and results this could now be seen ( or at least should be ) as a golden opportunity. Playing first team players like Ryan Manning
( leaving ) Kyle Naughton ( out of contract at the end of the season ) Joel Latibeaudiere ( same ) Matt Sorinola ( gone ) is pointless. Russell Martin may as well fill those positions with younger players. Why ? and we have to be honest, we all know what’s going to happen if he doesn’t.
The same that we have witnessed all season. So really, where’s the issue ?
Russell Martin has already admitted this may be the case come next season, so from a relative position of safety why not start that ‘process’ now ?, Let’s leave the future alone as to whether he will be at the club or not. We have to deal with what we know, not what a growing number of people want. Regardless of Martin’s feelings on these academy products, if he leaves it until the start of next season he will have players who are ill prepared for the season to come. Joel Cotterill and Cameron Congreve have experienced first team time, so let’s get them in. Let’s see Liam Walsh, how about taking the armband off Matt Grimes and giving it to Jay Fulton or Joe Allen ? Take the pressure off. Give Grimes a week or two off from the responsibilities of the armband. Bring in a wing back from the under 21’s if that’s preferred ( it shouldn’t be, let’s see 442 ) and give a left or right back some experience. Is Ben Blythe ready ? Or shall we wait until the opening game of next season ?
Let’s drip feed them in to some games. Can it be any worse ?
People will disagree, some will even say it’s madness to even consider it, but we can’t leave it until the last minute like we as a club are prone to do. If this club is driven to turn young players in to established first team regulars, and then look to cash in, then why not ? Remember when Ben Davies came in for Neil Taylor, that’s a point in case, he had no choice, I recall a few bemoaning the idea. On reflection, it sort of worked.
It surprises me in fact we haven’t heard a whisper of this potentially happening on Saturday, albeit away at a very good Luton side. Yes, these next four games could well throw up four more losses, who knows there could be a win in there. And it’s not about destroying confidence in players, it’s about preparation for the inevitable next season.
So how about not just planning for the summer, let’s plan for next week first and see what we have got.
Luton Town v Swansea City kicks off at 3pm on Saturday.