Issue 157

Swansea's season gets off to a stuttering start

08th October 2007

There was a feeling of optimism around Liberty Stadium this summer as Huw Jenkins and Rob Matinez looked to finally take Swansea back to the second level of English football after 25 years.

The last three years have been very close for the Swans, reaching the playoff final in 2006 before narrowly loosing out to Barnsley.

Many fans were happy with the preseason work of the chairman and manager and there was a common feeling that this could be the season. However, the optimism has quickly fizzled away. Sitting in 10th position after eight games is not good enough for a team expected to push for promotion.

A succession of flat performances against Leeds and Brighton has not helped a team struggling to find form both at home and in front of goal.

There are promising signs though; the victory over Swindon on Tuesday night was coupled with an impressive performance, showing that the quality is there.

The summer sale of Lee Trundle to Bristol City may have proved pivotal to this, and to the Swans chance of promotion. Scoring 78 goals in 146 appearances has made Trundle the stalwart of Swansea's attack for the past four years.

£1m is an offer than should never be turned down for a player of Trundle's ability and at his age, but the fact he has not been replaced adequately has made the sale of him harder to bear.

Although summer signing Jason Scotland has been in decent enough form with a return of six goals in ten games, he has not been able to fill Trundle's boots with the ability to win a game out of nothing, the recent game against Brighton a perfect example of how he could have changed a game.

His fellow strikers, Darryl Duffy and Warren Feeney, have not fitted in as had been hoped, and to some supporters they make the likes of Fallon, Knight and Akinfenwa look like world beaters.

One possible solution to the striking problem could be the arrival of the West Brom striker, John Hartson. Swansea born lad, Hartson has always made it known of his desire to return to his hometown to finish his career.

With him falling out of favour at the Hawthorns in recent months, there has been speculation over his possible return to Swansea as a replacement to Trundle. Jenkins confirmed that there had been talks between the two clubs but the Swansea board seem unwilling to match Hartsons £18k weekly wage, which is more than manager Martinez in on.

The opinion between the Swansea faithful is split. Some feel he is the perfect answer the striking problem. He may not have the skill that Trundle does, but he would bring the strength, passion and desire that is missing, and could be just what is needed to inject a bit of life in the attack.

Others feel he is past it. Struggling to make the reserves at West Brom and obviously lack of match fitness have resulted in some wanting Martinez to steer clear. Although he obviously doesn't fit into Martinez fast, pacey style of play, maybe a change is just what Swansea need to kick start their season?

Jon Pearson