Swansea City Fan View: Who do the Swans need to avoid the drop?
Given the chance, I think the majority of Swans fans would happily change 90 percent of the team this transfer window. I’m pretty sure Paul Clement – after witnessing some of the muck on display in his first few games – would agree.
Apart from Gylfi Sigurdsson, Leon Britton, Fernando Llorente and Lukasz Fabianski, the team is of Championship quality. Perfect – for when we are in the Championship.
But, with just under 20 games left, we still have some hope of staying in the Premier League, and a fresh injection of quality players we could turn the season around. We’re not looking at top ten, or even near mid-table, but scraping safety is by no means out of the question.
The problem we have is that we all know Swansea do not spend big money on players. Even when a Premier League future is at stake. So we may have to make do with just a few tweaks, instead of a complete overhaul.
Where should these tweaks take place?
The position that everyone – including fans, management, board, players, media, and my mum who hates football – knows Swansea are in desperate need of is an experienced, Premier League-quality centre-back.
When Ashley Williams departed, the decision not to replace him shaped the season. The board may argue that Alfie Mawson was the replacement, but – no matter how much promise the youngster has shown (at times) – he just doesn’t have the authority that Williams had.
We can all admit that Williams was not the greatest defender, and was prone to a couple of mistakes – some absolute howlers – but his authority was important. Losing him was not just the loss of a solid centre-back, but the loss of a captain.
There’s been no leadership in the team since. I’m not saying we are going to find a solid, experienced central defender AND an instant captain rolled into one affordable package, but by highlighting what we are missing we can see what we need.
Aside from an experienced central defender, a capable full back would be nice to shore up the wider aspects of defence. Angel Rangel is getting on a bit – even though he is still capable and can score a goal – while we all know the problems Neil Taylor comes with. We just need someone who can come in and work alongside our (fingers crossed) new centre-back. With less goals leaked, we can focus on scoring some up the other end.
Currently, I don’t feel midfield is in terrible condition. Sure, not great and lacking confidence, but it’s not the worst midfield with which to see out the rest of the season. Sigurdsson, Britton, Jack Cork, Leroy Fer, Jay Fulton and Ki Sung-yueng should be able to put together a few decent games. It’s on the wings we need a new face.
Jefferson Montero and Mo Barrow have both shown great promise and moments of brilliance at times, but it’s just not consistent. Neither of them can seem to send in a decent cross, nor can they change a game when they come off the bench.
So at least one Premier League winger is another desirable signing. Someone who can attack and send worthwhile crosses into the box. Maybe score a goal now and again. And someone who is not afraid to track back when needed.
Aside from bringing in fresh faces it’s vital we keep hold of some of our existing talent. Reports and rumours are growing that Sigurdsson wants out, and teams such as Middlesbrough and Everton want his services.
Great – an extra £10 million in our pockets. We can spend that in the Championship…
Because that’s where we will be heading if we lose Sigurdsson. We shouldn’t be looking at how much we can get for him, but how we can convince him to stay. It’s essential to bring in some new faces, but if we were to lose Sigurdsson, or other decent talent such as Llorente – who is banging in a few goals – it would be pointless.