Michael ReevesIf newspaper reports are to be believed then Russell Martin is planning to try and take many of his Swansea City squad to Southampton with him.
Whether it is lazy journalism or an indication of Russell Martin’s scouting ability it is hard to tell but there is one thing that I am totally convinced on and that is that the Swans should simply refuse to deal with Southampton again or at least certainly until they pay out the right amount of compensation for the approach to Martin.
Whilst that particular row seems likely to be heading towards a courtroom near you sometime soon with the two sides still divided over whether Southampton were a Premier League or Championship club at the time they decided they wanted to approach Russell Martin.
That decision should be simple but it is anything but and it should mean that Paul Watson and Andy Coleman put up the “no entry” signs for any approach for our players for the time being. As well as reports that Matt Grimes and Jay Fulton are potential targets (I just can’t see it) we also have links with the out of contract Ryan Manning and even Joel Piroe is a potential target (Leicester lead the way)
If that wasn’t enough we then had links yesterday with defensive duo Ben Cabango and Nathan Wood. The links should come with one large dollop of salt given that they came from the Sun but even so if there was any truth in them we should be resisting any move for either player from Southampton or any other club.
With the reappointment of Martyn Margeston coming to the club to shore up some of the issues that we have had in the goalkeeping department, Michael Duff should be doing all he can to tell those in charge that we need to keep two of our key defenders at the club. Most succesful clubs are built on the back of strong defensive units and for me Cabango and Wood are essential for us to do just that.
Both of them performed stronger the longer last season went on and with both getting international recognition during the season then they will be an essential part of us building on last season and maybe pushing on for promotion this time around.
I guess it will be only natural that there is interest in one or both of the players on that basis but whilst most of us have accepted that we will see the departure of Joel Piroe this summer, the loss of two of our defence will be hard to bear and – equally importantly – expensive to replace.
And Michael Duff doesn’t deserve that!
happens to small fish in big pond….we were liverhampton……..you may become swanhampton. hahaha
If Cabango moves he should set his sights on a Prem club or similar level in Europe.
Hope both stay.
I don’t believe any Swans player’s are heading to Southampton. No one has expressed or indicated their desire to leave and no disrespect to Russell Martin but his game plan is hard work and a risky game. It is as we’ve seen is to much attack minded at a great cost of the defence problems. There is no balance and to be successful they have to have this. The players at Swansea bought into it because on paper it looked great and Martin convinced the player’s to buy into it. However, in practice we’ve all seen (Including the player’s) it is not enjoyable over a season. I agree the media spend to much time on speculation rather than the use of good and solid sources! I pay little attention to the media in general about 99% of the time their misguided approach always turns out not to be justified!
Slam the door on Southampton on transfers until thy settle compensation money come on swans sort it out
Good luck Ken child’s take a book for the first season that’s if he lasts that long
At the moment it’s all guess work .There are so many new faces at bosrdroom and management level .In six or seven weeks we’ll know whether things have really changed for the better .
One thing for certain if we lose Piroe, Grimes, Whitaker and either Wood or Cabango we’ll have to do some serious buying to replace them .
I cant understand why they want to off load whitticar if they gave the lad a chance and plenty of first team action he will probably be worth 20 or even 30 mill in a few seasons he has proven at Plymouth that he can score in front of goal typical Swansea City let’s sell before he makes it big time if there that desparate we could sign siggesson back on a free transfers
We have sold our best players for years and if the players didn’t want to go they wouldn’t, but money talks. No honour among football players it’s the pay packet. Saints supporter 65 years. 🍺