After first revealing the interest at the start of the week, Jenks was allowed to travel to Aggborough yesterday for talks with the man who handed him his league debut seven years ago. Talks were successful and Jenkins could find himself in the Kidderminster side to face Leyton Orient tomorrow.
Jenkins has played a fair number of games for the Swans this season but has recently sat out matches thanks to the excellent form of Richard Duffy. Duffy it has been reported on the radio co-incidentally has signed a contract extension today although nothing has been confirmed by the club.
For a change I have to say that I am sitting on the fence with regards the decision to let Jenks go. Personally I like him. He will never have the skill of a Britton or Trundle but he is a hard working player who has rarely let the Swans down over the years. As a full back he does provide an attacking outlet and the Kidderminster site reports that he is likely to play in midfield for them – somewhere where perhaps we could have utilised him over the last couple of months with our injury problems.
I can, however, also see the argument clearly that if he was only in Flynn’s plans as a sideline player who we call on rarely then was there any point in keeping him? I will also be able to see more in this argument if we see an addition to the squad because of the money we have saved. Personally though at the moment I would have kept him especially with the Christmas period coming up and the number of games that are played in a short space of time.
But the decision has been made and I want to add to the list of people that have been wishing Jenks well in his future career. He leaves the Vetch never as one of the favourites but not as one of the ‘whipping boys’ either.
Commenting on his signing Big Jan said “Lee is the type of player I think we have been missing in the side this season, He’s young, competitive and plays the game at a high pace. He’s not afraid to get stuck in and do the ugly jobs that aren’t often appreciated. I think at times we have been too easy to play against, hopefully Lee will toughen things up for us.” and so say all of us bar the game that he will play against us in the New Year.
Lee Jenkins has served Swansea well in his time here and has been recognised by his country in doing so. I hope this decision doesn’t come back to haunt us and time will tell if the space created by Jenkins will be filled by a new name in due course.
This article first appeared on JACKARMY.net.