It’s a big game for Sheffield Wednesday tomorrow afternoon and Luke Williams has kept his promise to stick with the players that have boosted his popularity rating as Swans manager in recent times. There most certainly will be a very similar team drawn from Williams squad that overwhelmed Cardiff City nearly two weeks ago.
That meant a chat with Liam Walsh this morning regarding his non inclusion in the squad even though he is very close to full fitness. Liam is desperate for a new contract and we are aware he wants that with Swansea City. We’ve always had a healthy relationship with a contact close to the Wasserman agency who represent Steven Gerrard, Robbie Keane, Jamie Carragher and Michael Owen amongst many others. It’s clear Liam wants a contract offer but this hasn’t materialised despite his representatives trying to tie the Swans down. We do know they are casting their net far wider due to the Swans silence. You cannot blame the club, Liam (below) is a very risky investment, but Williams is keen to give him as much time as possible.
Joe Allen has had something in principle but that is still to be formalised. Walsh has had a haphazard time at Swansea, continually plagued by injury missing the first eight games of the season and the last twelve. He last appeared in a Swans shirt in the 1-0 win over West Bromwich Albion on New Years Day. Sadly he has started only five games for the Swans this season and has been subbed in eight. It’s not encouraging.
Talking on the subject today Swans head coach Luke Williams said, "We have players desperate to show what they can do and show they want to be a part of what we want to do moving forward. It’s a constant struggle and you can tussle with your own mind about these things, but it is about finding that balance. But I'm not prepared to risk himEither he's going to try so hard that he'll put himself at risk, or he's not going to try enough because he's worried he'll put me at huge risk”
That’s a manager who knows the history of the player and Williams has had experience of Walsh before at Bristol City. Unfortunately there again their acquaintance was short lived as Liam had injuries whilst at the Robins. Again talking this morning Williams said, "But I was only there a few months and he barely played because of injury. So I want him to be involved with us as quickly as possible” Walsh is a huge talent, we all know that, but what price a contract ? In three seasons Liam has made twenty four league appearances, and a loan spell at Hull City produced just three appearances.
In other news Ben Cabango is out tomorrow as is Walsh, Josh Ginnelly and Mykola (we understand he has travelled though) Sam Parker hasn’t travelled and Azeem Abdulai has a ‘shroud of mystery’ about his fitness. Kyle Naughton who has displayed some real quality of late is out for at least two more weeks.