Phil SumblerThere is a very different feel around Swansea City this summer as we appear to have – for the first time in many seasons – a plan as to what we want to achieve and seemingly a group of people who are equipped to deliver it.
There is a definite feeling of growing optimism around the club at the moment and almost everything that happens seems to increase that optimism as the changes seen in recent weeks are felt throughout the club.
Until the clear visibility of all investments are seen and registered at companies house it is difficult to completely understand exactly the full impact of what appears to be an ownership change but with Coleman, Morris and Cravatt seemingly pulling far more strings then it’s a positive change for the club that we are ready to benefit from.
We know that Morris has already taken a 20% stake in the club and Cravatt is rumoured to be taking a bigger stake which tells you much that the new investors are taking bigger stakes in the club which surely can only mean that Kaplan and Levien are taking a backseat when it comes to running the club.
Nothing formal has been said but its pretty telling that Jake Silverstein seems to have disappeared since his private messages blaming Russ for his departure from the club and, well frankly, Kaplan and Levien have been largely invisible since relegation from the Premier League although their influence in pulling the strings behind the scenes has been obvious for most to see.
But when you look back over the past few weeks you can see why things are feeling different. A managerial change may not have been on the agenda but it was forced upon us and the united front shown by Coleman, Duff and Paul Watson has been obvious to anyone who has watched the club videos of late. Coleman’s arrival as Chairman signalled the end for Julian Winter whose two years at the club no doubt saw many challenges but ultimately not sure he achieved what he was appointed to do. Watson arrives with a reputation for spotting talent and both these two seem clear in how they need to grow the club and take us forward.
Josh Ginnelly is already in the building, Josh Key will be the second signing this week it seems and there are plenty of links out there to get people interested in what we are going to do next. The speed and efficiency in which we have made these transfers is something we have not seen in recent years and can only be down to the influence of those making decisions on behalf of the club.
It seems as if all the key units of the club have got their heads together and have a clear vision that they all share – common sense you would assume but again something that I would not say has been the case in recent years.
All parties are adamant that there is money available to spend and whilst we are not suddenly awash with cash you do get the feeling that we are also prepared to make some decisions on the playing side that will see us pick up ambitious players who have a desire to perform at the top of their game and take the chances offered to them rather than those who are just prepared to pick up a wage and sulk on the sidelines. And you feel that we also have a manager who is not prepared to stand for those sideline sulks which is just what we need at a club that cannot afford to carry passengers.
Everything that is said and done at the moment just feels like we are a different football club completely to the one that signed off last season just two months ago. So much has changed in a relatively short period of time and all of it feels for the better.
Long may that continue!
We are far better organised .It is also becoming obvious that we are a more attractive club than many fans believed .
All new arrivals immediately cimment on the excellent facilities that wr have .
It is also easy to forget that we spent a nnumber of years in the Premier League and achieved some great results.
The biggest problem we’re going to have is filling the void left if and when Piroe goes
We have made one signing on a free transfer, and are possibly going to sign a player from the lower leauge. If this bunch of yanky loosers had any real interest we would have made a real effort to keep Manning and Laderbourdia at the club. We are also on the verge of selling a proven 20 goal a season striker, and possibly the best midfielder in th Championship. Come on Swans fans, wake up and smell the stink that is taking our club down the shoot.
Evenings must be fun in your house David – if you cant see it then can I respectfully suggest you find something else to do on a Saturday afternoon given our club is going down the shoot.
Oh and buy a Dictionary!
Ah well Robbie, it just brings up the old adage of “you can lead a horse to o water, but you can’t make him drink” I would prefer to be watching my team in the championship or higher.
Hi Robbie, just for your information, I am dislexic and remarks such as “buy a dictionary” can be personal and hurtful.
I apologise for that comment David and retract it!
That said I am failing to see what you are seeing in the squad at the moment that suggests we are in a relegation battle, thats pessimism to a new level
Hi Robbie, apology accepted.
I don’t want to be pessimistic but I don’t see any change in the philosophy used by the Yanky owners. Sell, then buy cheap. This business model will lead to a struggle, as others have made clear. I will continue to support the Swans, because their in my blood and as a Swans fan you would know how I feel.
As others have said David there is a change here in the club with the new investors seemingly hand on more than the other two charlatans have ever been. These were the kind of people the sell outs shouldhave waited for not the quick buck they made at our expense
I tend to agree with all the posts ,myself I feel a bit more optimistic about the future, only time will tell after our first game we see if there is a better attitude with the management as well as the players good luck boys .
Kaplan and Levine are thousands of miles away (as usual) this new crew are definitely hands on. That’s a massive improvement already. Let’s hope for some success and who knows, a buy-out may be on the horizon
So why is Ntcham on his way out with a year left on his contract. He has played an imact player role off the bench. I would say he was one of the best of our midfielders who could score goals. Have we offered him the chance to increase his contract by 12 months? Do his wages meet the boards cut off? Does this mean we are going to attract real class talent if the wages are limited to players from lower leauges?