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Clearing out the players who just aren’t “cutting the mustard” and to looking at bringing in new players for a fresh assault on their respective leagues come the start of the 2002/03 season. So who should stay and who should go at Swansea City? Let’s take a little look through the squad and I’ll offer my thoughts on the subject. Goalkeepers It would be a stupid man to suggest that we replace Roger Freestone. The man has become a Vetch field legend and is quite simply the best keeper outside the Premiership. But Roger can’t play forever and some day we’re going to have to find a replacement. At the moment the only man we have ready to fill Rogers boots is Jason Jones, sadly he hasn’t exactly filled us with confidence in his rare appearances, but maybe now is the time to give him an extended run to let him gain some invaluable first team experience. Maybe the lack of regular reserve team football is to blame for his apparent lack of confidence when called into the first team and anyone who witnessed his heroics against Jamaica in pre-season will testify that he is a fine shot stopper. Can he make the grade? Only time will tell. Defenders Although our defence hasn’t exactly been watertight this season I don’t think that we need to make wholesale changes at the back. New signings Terry Evans and Neil Sharp have done a good job so far and Chris Todd and Kristian O’Leary have also put in some solid appearances. We’ve certainly missed the injured Jason Smith but I’m sure that his return to full fitness will add a bit of “bite” to our back four. Michael Howard does a pretty good job at left back, but his distribution is sometimes a bit suspect. Hopefully, once the transfer embargo is lifted we can get Stephen Evans back at the Vetch as he certainly impressed during his brief loan spell. I’d also like to see a “no-nonsense” centre back to partner Smith and competition for first team places is never a bad thing. One big change I’d like to see is Andrew Mumford moving out of defence and into midfield on a permanent basis, Mumford has been a revelation this season and could well go on to become a Vetch field legend. Midfielders Since the loss of Stuart Roberts to Wycombe, the midfield has seriously lacked some width and a right winger would be top of my spring shopping list. While we’re at it how about a left winger who can actually PLAY on the left wing as well!!! Ryan Casey’s brief appearances have been promising at times, but nothing special and I think it’s about time that we all admit that the promise that Jon Coates showed under Jan Molby has never come to fruition. Coates is weak in the tackle and his second touch always seems to be a sliding tackle to try and regain the possession he lost with his first touch!!!. A central partnership of Mumford and Cusack would be very interesting and backed up with Lacey’s solid passing and Lee Jenkins and Gareth Phillips solid tackling, the midfield shows promise. Steve Brodie seems to have spent most of his season running about like a headless chicken!!! And unless he can be used effectively up front I think its time to show him the door. Which brings us to our seemingly endless search for a decent creative midfielder, something which has become a constant subject of conversation amongst Swans fans for a number of years now. Hopefully this time we’ll actually find a player who can fill that role. Strikers The words Swansea and Striker seem to fit together about as well as Politician and Honesty!!!. Swans fans have craved a 20 goal a season striker for far too long and now is the time for the “board” to deliver. Steve Watkins signing proved that Jan Molby wasn’t infallible, Watkin has never delivered the goods and now is the time for the Swans to part company with the former Wrexham man. John Williams, by his own admission, is not a 90 minute player anymore, but his appearances as a substitute always seem to cause a headache for the opposing team and he should be retained as a “super-sub”. Which brings us onto Mamady Sidibe, a man, who in many peoples opinion seems to be the Swans saviour!!!. In my opinion, the best thing that Sidibe will bring to the Swans will be a rather substantial six figure transfer fee when someone snaps him up before the end of the season. Don’t get me wrong, the big Frenchman has shown some flashes of brilliance this season, but he’s a luxury player for any team at this level and at times appears to be just plain lazy!!!. His susceptibility to injury is also a worry, so I’m afraid it’s time to cash in on “Big Mama” and invest the money in an experienced striker who will deliver the 20+ goals a season we need. The name that always springs to my mind is Bob Taylor. So there we have it, that’s my spring cleaning done for another year, it’ll be interesting to see if the “board” feel the same way. But then again, with Addison and Nicholas’ contracts up at the end of the season, maybe the management committee have some ideas of their own!!! See you all next week. JACK ARMY!!! |
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