Planet Swans ArchivesSwansea City fans are braced for a summer of speculation around some of their star names – speculation that has already started with reports of moves for Gomez, Scotland and Rangel.
But vice captain Tate one of the longest serving players at the club says that speculation is all part of the game and the club will be here long past individual players
He said “You’re always aware about players being linked to leave, this is our business so you know what’s being talked about. You can’t get away from speculation and you only know if there’s anything behind if a bid comes in.
“If they want to go it’s up to them and there’s nothing you can do about it.
“But people go for different reasons – look at the past and Trunds would probably admit he left for financial reasons with the deal he got offered as a 30-year-old. And with Robbo being a Liverpool boy he left for Leeds for geographical reasons.
“It’s not about bigger clubs, because they aren’t right now. So when you look at it, only Sam Ricketts has ended up bettering himself footballing wise.
“It depends what the player is looking for so I can’t speak for them. But I don’t think I could go.
“And besides, the club is always bigger than the individual. No player is more important than the club.
“Just look at Man Utd, Sir Alex Ferguson has built four teams and plenty of big players have come and gone over the years.
“We should remember that and know that Roberto will be looking to make sure the squad is stronger next year, whatever happens.
“It’s disappointing not to be playing for something in the last game but it just ended up being too much for us,” said the 26-year-old.
“I think Burnley beating Sheffield United in their game in hand knocked the stuffing out of us. Looking back, you could see the reaction in all of us because I’m sure we’d all watched it the night before. I know I did and I never watch games.
“We all knew the difference between making up four points and one point in two games was massive.
“But we can still be proud of what we’ve done and I think the fans are too and we can all look forward to next year. You can say it will be harder with some of the teams that could come down or that are coming up, but we will have that much more experience and we will be better equipped.
“I’m sure Roberto is well ahead on the players he wants to bring in. When you’re younger you worry who might be coming in and what it means to you. Now I’m older I realise it’s about getting in stronger players to make the squad better.”
