The Swans have a lot of decision making ahead of them with seven of their first team squad coming up for consideration over the next nine months. And that’s not including the usual string of younger players who are normally released from the age grade sides.

There’s a lot of work to do.

The list of players requiring consideration does contain what Swans fans would say are ‘no brainers’ to release, especially if we judge those players on todays statistics. The first is an emotional choice, that’s Joe Allen. His contract is up in the summer and he has had a pretty miserable time since signing as a free agent from Stoke City. Joe has played in five games this season, two in the League Cup and three in the league. He is now out for a ‘lengthy’ period with more injury. As it stands putting all emotions to one side it has to be a no from the Indy. Too many injuries and too much time in convalescence. The club just can’t afford it.

Next up is Liam Walsh, if Joe is an issue regards injuries then Liam falls in to that category as well. He has one substitute appearance this season. That was against Plymouth Argyle last weekend for a few minutes. A fit and healthy Liam Walsh, just like Joe is a positive for any side, unfortunately he has extremely limited game time for the Swans. Seven recorded appearances last season isn’t good. It’s very much down to how he fares now he has returned from another injury, but surely if he breaks down again he has to go the same way as Joe ?

Nathanael Ogbeta is another player who is currently injured, but he did have an excellent loan period last season at Peterborough United. He isn’t injury prone as such and is young. The issue for Ogbeta is he has never really been tested in the Championship. Russell Martin clearly didn’t rate the player and he was happy to see him loaned out. Since Michael apDuff has arrived at the club he hasn’t had a chance to assess Nathanael in a match day squad. If he returns from injury and can stake a place in what is now a competitive defensive set up he could be worthy of a contract. We think he is more suited to a level below the Championship. However, go on and prove us wrong Nathanael, it can only be good for both you and the club.

Our fourth player to consider is Jamie Paterson. Under Michael Duff he is playing well and contributing at one hundred percent on a match day. His assets far outweigh the negatives. However, we have to ask the question why now ? Everyone knows about Jamie’s recent past at Swansea, and that’s well documented. So, why is he playing well above his standard of last season now ? Are we being cynical when we say - Could it be he is out of contract and is extremely unlikely to get another one at ten grand a week anywhere else ? In fact he won’t. Or does he suit the Duff style and is flourishing as a result ? For us he is too old come next summer to be considered for a new contract. Yes, some will disagree, others will agree. For us it’s release him or give him a one year extension maximum. No time for sentiment when dishing out a million pound a year contracts.

Some were surprised when Kyle was offered a new one year deal in the summer. Personally I wasn’t. He is a model professional and most certainly an elder statesman in the side who through his actions promotes professionalism. However, he is another year older come the summer of 2024. He will be thirty five heading towards thirty six. As a back up, or as reassurance when it all goes wrong selections wise Kyle can be relied upon. He has a good level of fitness and his overall professional attitude is behind doubt. However, is it right for the club to offer a further year, especially when the Swans are allegedly run so acutely when it comes to finances ? It has it be a no from us sadly. Kyle has been at the club since those heady Premier League days, he has done well for the Swans so unless he is displaying excellent coaching abilities now he has to be released.

The last two players are on contracts which end in the summer of 2024, but have one year options. The first is Liam Cullen, now a full Welsh international Liam is a quiet professional who just gets on with his game. As we saw with Wales on his debut he is a hard working selfless forward player willing to do the hard work that often goes unnoticed. He is on a small contract as it is, and the figures would surprise many for a professional footballer. There is no sense in allowing Liam’s contract to run down. Successive Swans coaches have employed him in place of others who are ‘seemingly’ better. He kept Morgan Whittaker of the side, and as Duff found out he didn’t want to play for the Swans anyway. That’s the attitude we attached to Morgan early on ant the Swans and that’s exactly what he displayed. No loyalty. Liam has it in bag fulls. He is getting better, he is a slow developer but the Swans could do far worse than offering him a much improved and longer contract.

Nathan Wood is the enigma in this selection of seven players. Currently out injured until around January he has been a revelation since joining Swansea City. Signed for a very moderate fee from Middlesbrough who unceremoniously dumped him after failing to reach the standard at his home town club, he would walk in to any Championship club. The rumours of a big fee offered by Southampton never came to fruition with the Swans reluctant to do any business with the Saints, Nathan is the next big money transfer, you can guarantee that. Nathan has been recognised at Under 21 level for England and if it wasn’t for his injury he would be one of the first names on Duff’s team sheet. He has said as much himself. There isn’t so much a dilemma with Nathan as he has a one year option on his contract. However, will he want to play another season come 2024 for the Swans with far more lucrative offers on the table ? Of course Swansea should offer him a new contract, that’s goes without saying. We believe he will reject it which means if he is to leave it has to be next summer at the latest. If the Swans do trigger the one year option he won’t be a happy player so Sporting Director, Paul Watson will have little choice but to canvass suitors for Nathan. Yes offer him a contract, but it’s highly unlikely he will sign it if the Swans remain in the Championship.

Keith Haynes is the author of numerous books on Swansea City and has run Swansea Independent since its inception in September 2020. He has written for every major newspaper, 442, Total Football and has ghost written a variety of biographies both football and non football related

Photograph Open Source : Artwork by Swansea Independent

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