the revolving door part ii
By sandman slim
Despite the many challenges of both Covid-19 and Brexit it was a pretty busy January transfer window for the Swans with a number of players coming in to balance those going out. The Editor persuaded our old friend Sandman Slim to stop sipping his lockdown stock of tequila long enough to run his sarcastic rule over the most significant comings and goings…….
swanning off
Position: Midfield
Deal: Recalled by parent club Wolves
In a Nutshell: Talented attacker and humanitarian!
The Skinny: The recall of Gibbs-White at the beginning of the year was a huge blow to Cooper, although the subsequent capture of Conor Hourihane has mitigated the damage.
Another of Cooper’s World Cup winning England U-17s side, Gibbs-White was snapped up on loan from Wolves at the start of the season having fallen down the pecking order at the Premier League club.
It was clear in those early couple of games that MGW would be a standout performer in the Championship, dominating the midfield areas and bringing a new dimension to Cooper’s game plan.
Alas injury intervened and put him on the sidelines for three months where he proceeded to pick up the community mantle last held by Angel Rangel, teaming up with his girlfriend Britney to provide food for those struggling through the pandemic and funding a breakfast club for Dylan Thomas Community School throughout 2021.
Finally free from injury MGW made a sparkling cameo in the superb win over Watford. With him back in the fold our assault on Premier League promotion looked a lot more achievable.
And then he was gone! Wolves suffered an injury crisis and plucked the now fit talent back to resume cover duties.
Whilst Hourihane fills the gap it’s sad we won’t get to see more of MGW – although don’t rule out another move for a player Cooper rates so highly for the beginning of next season……
Position: Winger
Deal: Recalled by parent club Bristol City
In a Nutshell: Alternative to Harry Wilson that didn’t quite work out
The Skinny: The Swans’ summer pursuit of Harry Wilson faltered over the huge financial package needed to bring the Welsh international in on loan from Liverpool. Instead we let rivals Cardiff take the monetary gamble and turned our attentions once again to Kasey Palmer.
After a couple of nibbles over the last couple of windows Steve Cooper finally landed his man in October, bringing in the winger or attacking midfielder on loan until the end of the season from Bristol City.
It didn’t work out for either party though; even with the long injury to Morgan Gibbs-White Palmer found his route into the side blocked by either Yan Dhanda or Jay Fulton in midfield.
Just two starts and ten substitute appearances followed before the Robins activated a recall clause at the start of January to cover a string of injuries.
A willing worker with ability to run with the ball through the middle, you could see there’s a player in there – but Palmer just never got the time on the pitch to get into any sort of form or rhythm.
The player’s most notable contribution came in the home victory over Stoke where he scored his only goal for the Swans – but more satisfying was his clobbering of James McClean in the build up. Cult status right there!!
Position: Striker
Deal: Recalled by parent club Brighton
In a Nutshell: Swedish Seagull that looked more like a stuffed pigeon than a Swan
The Skinny: Summer signing Viktor Gyokeres was meant to be the striker we needed to fill the void left by Rhian Brewster’s Liverpool recall and subsequent sale to Sheffield United.
It looked like a poor fit from the moment the lad signed on loan from Brighton and he was never able to break up the Lowe/Ayew partnership occupying the forwards’ shirts.
When he did get game time he looked rusty and totally shorn of confidence; possibly knowing that he was a distant second choice with lingering hope of resigning Brewster lasting so long affected him?
Whatever it was, Gyokeres never looked comfortable in a Swans shirt and so Brighton recalled him…and promptly sent him to Coventry, where he’s scored his first goal. That matches the tally he accumulated as a Swan, his solitary goal coming in his final game, the FA Cup defeat of Stevenage.
Position: Midfield
Deal: Loaned to Portsmouth
In a Nutshell: Injury hit baller that’s been to Hell and hopefully back – via Pompey
The Skinny: 2020 was a real nightmare for Byers with ankle and groin injuries keeping him sidelined for most of the year, on top of Covid considerations.
When he finally recovered from his longstanding groin problems the cultured midfielder found himself at the back of the midfield queue and so when the chance came to join Portsmouth on loan it made perfect sense.
The Swans will hope that their former manager Kenny Jackett will look after George and get him back to full fitness.
Having come through the Under 23 ranks after a 13 year association with Watford ended in release, Byers has been a dependable feature in the Swans midfield under both Graham Potter and Steve Cooper.
A spell at a club with more opportunities will help blow the cobwebs away and he should come back next summer to challenge for a place once more.
It’s Bye Bye Byers for the time being, but probably not permanently.
Position: Winger
Deal: Loaned to Swindon
In a Nutshell: Stagnating speedster farmed out for game time
The Skinny: When Jordon Garrick burst onto the scene at the beginning of last season it looked for all the world as if he would be the next youth star off the production line.
His pace, trickery and finishing prowess had made him an integral part of the Under 23s after signing on from Ossett Albion in the Northern Premier Division.
However injuries have held back the former Rugby League product and a change to wing backs instead of wingers has further reduced Garrick’s opportunities to push on.
The odd cameo aside, Garrick’s only significant game time this season has come in the unfamiliar role of right wing back in the Cup competitions.
With the arrivals of Kieron Freeman and Paul Arriola on Deadline Day the opportunities will be near enough non existent and so Garrick has been sacrificed temporarily as a sweetener in the Freeman deal.
The player’s ability to grab this chance of first team football and make the most of it will probably shape the thoughts of Steve Cooper and help decide whether Garrick can succeed at the Liberty or join the long list of promising youngsters that haven’t quite been able to make the grade.
Here’s hoping that Garrick can make an impression with the Robins and come back as a flying Swan next season.
