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Swansea City expert Akshay Mhaskar is back with another edition of Flight of the Swans, this time talking about Gylfi Sigurdsson, the defeat at Old Trafford, possibility of Europe and more.
How far Swans have come from that fateful day 9 years ago? Swans, struggling for their existence on the pitch and off it, had to beat Hull City to maintain their Football League status.
Fast forward to 2012. Swansea had not only ensured a stay in the top flight for another year, they were actually hoping to sneak their way in Europe.
The Swans are currently on top of the Premiership Fair Play Rankings. As Dutch Eredivisie, Norwegian Tippeligaen and Finland’s Veikkausliiga have been granted an additional place in Europa League, Swans too, were hoping for an additional place in Europa League.
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However, due to the Premiership sitting low in 13th in the overall rankings, the Swans won’t get a chance to play European football.
In my opinion, this is a blessing in disguise – as there will be no extra distraction to possibly hinder their League progress. Of course, it would have been wonderful experience to travel across Europe and belt out ‘Swansea o Swansea.
The Swans board has acted wisely and swiftly to bid for the Premiership March Player of the Month Gylfi Sigurdsson’s lone move from Hoffenheim to be made permanent. Gylfi’s performance for the Swans since his arrival in January has certainly upped his price.
7 goals and 3 assists in 16 appearances for the club meant this 22 year old Icelandic was no longer available for his January market value of £5.3million.
It is well understood that Swansea’s initial bid has been turned down by the Germans who want £8.2 million for him. It becomes a problem when one of your loaned-in players delivers success and at the end of his loan term, has to return to the old club. There’s nothing much the other club can do about it. The call lies with the parent club.
Although Hoffenheim have promised Swans that they’ll be the first to know about any developments related to Gylfi’s future, it is believed that they are waiting for other clubs to bid him with more money.
Brendan Rodgers knows this well and has already met the chairman to discuss summer targets. He was quoted, ‘ We have got a number of targets, we want to retain our hunger and at this level, you have to always be striving to improve and we will be looking to bring in a number of players in order to do that.’
‘We want to keep developing; our work is continual on and off the field. We want to prepare as quickly as we can and in order to do that, we want to bring in hungry players for next season.’
At the Theatre of Dreams
The away stand at the Old Trafford was packed on Sunday as thousands of Swans had headed north, much like birds migrating from places to places.
With City winning 0-2 against Newcastle and had almost sealed the title, United were playing with pretty depleted spirits. United had to score 9 goals to go ahead of City on goal difference and that was a near impossible task.
United squandered numerous chances before the half time and finally managed to lead with only 2-0 at the break. But Rodger’s side showed incredible resilience to keep United at bay.
Considering it was their first ever visit to Old Trafford, and many of the players were stepping into the Theatre of Dreams for the first time in their lives, you can’t take anything away from the spirited performance.
Swansea didn’t budge from their style or play nor did they get intimidated. 81% passing accuracy and 6 shots on target at OT is certainly incredible.
It was a wonderful gesture by Brendan Rodgers to introduce Alan Tate with moments of the match remaining. A decade long Swans stalwart defender who had captained at both youth and reserve level for United could make a comeback at the venue which surely had been his theatre of dreams.
Elvis hasn’t left the building
If you look at the signings at the club this season, only Danny Graham and Gyfil Sigurdsson do not belong to the bunch that got Swansea promoted to the Premiership.
Huge credit goes to Brendan Rodgers to reward those heroics by sticking by them throughout the season.
Nothing can be more deserving for these hardworking players, support staff and everybody else involved with the club that the final game of the season is to be played at Liberty Stadium. From Vetch Field on 3rd May 2003 to the Liberty Stadium on 13th May 2012, the journey has been incredible.
Believe me, this is going to be one hell of a party place.
At the start of the season, bookies had said ‘There was more chance of seeing Elvis Presley than Swansea staying at this level.’ And we will see thousands of Elvis’ flocking in at the season’s finale as Brendan Rodgers has appealed for as many fans as possible to wear Elvis Presley costumes for the final home game.
The town of Swansea has been ‘Presley’d’ since all the costume shops are being bombarded with Elvis clothes and accessories. Most people are queuing up for wigs and glasses, and many of them are asking for renting and buying costumes too.
With ‘Falling in Love with You’ being already a major hit in the stands, it is a guarantee that the final whistle will have the Liberty Stadium ‘All Shook Up’.
I just hope fans don’t invade the pitch after the final whistle as everybody who has been associated with the club in this fantastic journey deserve a lap of honor.
Don’t rob them of that.
