Transfers And Contracts Review

Its still early days in the transfer window and it was always going to be a busy one, but already we have seen a flurry of activity with ins, outs, rumours, disappointment, shocks and delight.
 
Dorus De Vries departure to Wolves was a shock and left many fans annoyed and scratching their heads. Stating that the 'challenge' was the deciding factor in the switch only infuriated many who could see very little difference between the challenges at all. Survival for Wolves next season being no more of a challenge than at Swansea given the fact that they were 45 minutes away from relegation last season. Combine this with the fact that there is also no guarantee that he will be their first choice keeper leads to the inevitable conclusion that it was all about the money. A sad thing, yet all too common aspect of today's game. Whilst Dorus departing is no doubt a loss to our team, there are definitely positives to be taken from the alleged circumstances around his non renewal with Swansea. The stumbling block in the saga was rumoured to be the refusal to accept a relegation wage drop clause in the proposed new contract. If one player had this written into their contract it would potentially open the floodgates for others to follow. Ultimately the worst case scenario would see us back in the Championship with a Premier League wage bill. It's a costly mistake that can be seen as a factor in many other clubs downfall around the other leagues such as Hull and Portsmouth. The fact that our board will not be held to ransom by players or agents into poor financial decisions or risking the long term future of our club is testament and just another example that the right people are holding the reigns.
 
The departure of Pratley was significantly less of a surprise and since January and the infamous T celebration (I still for one refuse to believe it stood for 'Thursday club') it was widely expected that he be leaving come the end of his contract. A lot of mixed opinions on him from fans this season but it has to be said that he defiantly played a role in getting promotion and 12 goals despite limited game time helped us achieve our dream.
 
The Neil Taylor saga feels like it has dragged on forever with shiny lucrative contracts, unanswered phone calls and 'talk' clauses all adding to the drama. It is good to see our chairman standing firm on this matter also and an improved offer from Newcastle looking the most likely title of the next update. Should he yet stay a Swans player, it will take a lot to undo the damage done to his reputation in Swansea eyes.
 
On a more positive note the disappointing departure of Borini saw a swift signing of 25 year old Danny Graham from Watford for a record breaking 3.5 million. Having been the Championship top scorer last season with 24 goals whilst being in a team that finished 14th overall we have surely got a player with a lot of goal scoring ability and premiership potential for a very reasonable price. I would much rather a signing like this than a has-been premiership striker demanding stupidly high wages. Brendan's track record recognising potential speaks for itself with Sinclair and Borini being the jewels in that crown.
 
Contract activity also saw a contract extension of Bodde who could yet prove to re-establish himself as a vital part of our team, his potential to play at premiership level recognised by other clubs years ago. The release of Van der Gunn, Albert Serran, Kerry Morgan and Jamie Grimes also making up the movement and sculpting of our Premier League outfit.
 
The extremely welcome news of Angel Rangel's commitment to the club for the next three seasons rounds up the latest activity at the liberty. It will no doubt provide some comfort that loyalty does exist and he is certainly a player that can compete at this level.
 
So it's been a bit of a roller coaster already and a ball has yet to be kicked. Swans have many more ups and downs to come. There will be many more signings, possibly a few departures and endless rumours. I am just trying to enjoy the ride. We have a Chairman and a Manager that are equipped to keep us where we've worked so hard to be. Come the first game in August I believe we will have an improved team capable of competing, proving the bookies wrong and hopefully tipping a few apple carts on the way.
 
Belief is for life not just for last season.