Planet Swans ArchivesSaturday was one of our best performances of the season – if not the best one. Yes I take on board when people say that we let Chesterfield have chances but rest assured they are a very good side who got where they were through that ability. Their passing was as good as we have seen at White Rock this season while only a good display from Willy stopped them adding to their tally.
However, they found us on a good day where the passing was sharp and precise and the off the ball movement superb. And they also caught us on a day when Lee Trundle hit top gear and when Trunds hits top gear then the opposition can look out. Well, they may as well sit back and watch as it’s a fair bet that they aren’t going to live with him and they most certainly ain’t going to stop him in that form.
Just over a week ago we turned down a reported £750,000 bid for him. It won’t be the last bid that we receive before the end of January no matter how much Jenkins and Jackett run the batteries down on their mobile phones. Maybe during that influx there may even be a bid that makes the club waiver and ponder acceptance. But to me now this is not about money, we know that Trundle is an extremely valuable commodity, this is about ambition and more importantly can we replace the man who has become Mr Swansea City?
Of course you can buy a proven goalscorer if you have enough money. I mean if we got £1 million or more then I’m sure Mr Jackett would be able to persuade someone to part with their striker for half that. And we know that it would be someone who knows where the goal is. However, there is much much more to Trundle than goals. There is the entertainment factor, the goals from nothing factor and topped off (the cherry on the cake if you like) – the bums on seats factor.
If 2,000 people turn up at White Rock week on week to watch Lee Trundle, that alone is worth £700k per season to the club. That is why we turned down £750k sorted out anyway. And make no mistake it could easily be that number that turn up to watch people. I know alot of people outside of Swansea who aren’t Swansea fans. When I tell them I am a Swansea fan they say “Lee Trundle” When I talk to family who live away about football they will always ask “How special is Trundle” before they ask how the team is getting on. That is the impact the player is having and that effect is being knocked on to the kids who want to see Trundle play. Make no mistake that is happening. And it is happening in big numbers.
So we have 2,000 people per game, maybe more enjoying that factor. We have an almost guaranteed 20 goals per season and there aren’t many strikers out there that perform to that level. Take a look at last season’s scoring charts and count them up. And then take off the ones that we could never even think about attracting here. The Premiership ones and the top end Championship ones.
I honestly do not believe that we could replace Trunds. Well, we could but we would be weaker as a team for doing so. We would lose something and whilst it may not cost us promotion (or the chance of it) it would make it more difficult then it already is. Especially if you factor in a knock on effect to the team at the loss of a great player.
I have been here for 25 years. Well, obviously not at my PC but watching the Swans. I did not think I would see better than Curt. Or even better than Robbie. And two years ago I remember writing that Trundle had to do plenty more to come close to them. My view now is that he has done it. And he has passed them. I firmly believe that is on the pitch talent has equalled them both, his off the pitch worth to the club means he has passed them. I never saw Ivor play but I’m sure Trundle is destined to be up there with him in terms of adulation.
And whilst we may well sell at some stage – I hope not – I don’t think any amount of money would make us as strong or stronger. Quite simply his value to the club is more than it is to any potential buying club. And that in itself gives us some hope?
These really are exciting times
