Always On The Phone

Always On The End Of A Phone…..

Think about it. Back two months and there were always quotes from players and management about activities at the Vetch. The former manager was always quoted as ‘doing this’ or ‘doing that’ and there was always a player free to spare five or ten minutes to bump up an article about something or other. But it doesn’t happen anymore.

Could there be a logic in there somewhere that says that the manager is doing what the manager is supposed to do? Manage? Maybe he is managing the players to a degree that they don’t have the time to speak to the press and when they do have the time, they don’t want to speak to the press? Maybe Mr Jenkins is the only person that the press can actually get hold of short of asking Myra and the rest of the girls (!) in the club shop what they think and that won’t help much – have you asked them what they think about the shirt you want to buy!!

Of course there is the danger that by speaking to the press constantly then there will be the accusations of interfering with the playing side of the club but maybe he only quotes what has been discussed with Kenny Jackett in place of the manager who is far too busy to talk with the press – many of the Cardiff based ones as well being opposed to his appointment.

If you want conspiracy theories maybe this is why the likes of the Western Mail nailed their colours to the mast when Flynn was sacked (I can’t say mutual consent because it’s a nothing statement) because they knew that all of a sudden they would have no-one to talk to? And then articles become that much harder to write.

Huw Jenkins appears to have become the official spokesman of the club and to be honest I have no issue with that although I have to say that I would prefer it if he actually did say a little less than he did but I guess he is only answering the questions that are put forward to him. I can’t imagine him having a burning desire to pick up the phone and volunteer information to the media. I wonder what quotes we would have though if he didn’t answer the phone to then all the time. You rarely see comments from Kenny Jackett outside of matchdays and quotes from the players are certainly becoming much less frequent.

I can fully understand why people say that Mr Jenkins is interfering but I am trying here to put a different slant on things and, if you think about it, could all of the above make sense? I don’t believe there is interference as such – I think there could be recommendations but I am convinced that the final say will come down to Kenny and who and what he wants.

I do accept as well that there have been some odd quotes – I am bemused by the one today about appointing Kenny Jackett as he was in the same age bracket as the defenders (notice I resisted the temptation to say old there!) – I don’t see what relevance that has when footballing credentials are more important but let’s not dwell on statements like that – we have to assume there was far more to it than just a birth certificate.

I honestly think I am close to the mark in why it is always Huw Jenkins that is making these quotes at the moment. The only issue I have is trying to pick between what is his opinion as a fan of the club and what is the opinion of the board of directors of Swansea City. Remember, there could be a marked difference between the two statements?

I guess though the only way that we will ever know is if Mr Jenkins stopped answering his phone for a few days!!!!

Why not check out the latest Vetch Verdict on the BBC site?