Planet Swans ArchivesJames, an Evening Post columnist and BBC pundit, says in his weekly column in the local paper that some sides – highlighting Sheffield United and Wolves – have spent big but are both marooned away from the top positions in the race for Premiership football.
He also believes that the Swans need to deliver the training ground and Academy status that has been promised and that Roberto will demand that the club keeps up with his ambitious plans to bring top flight football back to Swansea – a level only seen down here during the playing days of Leighton James.
James said "Roberto Martinez, the fine young manager who has done so much to put us within sight of the second tier, reckons he can take the club all the way to the Premier League.
"And while no Swans fan will be demanding promotion next season if we do make it up this spring, they will not accept any lack of ambition.
"Martinez, whose stock has rocketed this year, will demand that the club keeps up with him.
"That means delivering on the promise of a purpose-built training ground and gaining Academy status for Swansea's youth set-up.
"And more immediately, it means doing all that is possible to give Martinez a fair crack of the Championship whip.
"Splashing the cash will not be essential to ensuring they don't dip below the relegation line in 12 months' time.
"A couple more where Angel Rangel, Ferrie Bodde and Dorus de Vries came from – all of them bargain buys or free transfers – will be encouraged by the chairman.
"But Martinez must also be given the financial muscle to spend like no Swansea manager before him when it is required.
"The Championship may be a million miles behind the Premier League, but in financial terms, it's some way ahead of League One.
"Jenkins and Co have done a fine job since sending Tony Petty back to Australia a few years back.
"They have brought the club on leaps and bounds since first walking into the boardroom, but another mighty challenge lies ahead."
