Shaky Swans have lost plot

THERE was a time when English football cast a jealous eye in Swansea City’s direction.

Their blueprint for success – a masterplan that had catapulted them from fourth tier to first in a decade – prompted envy. ‘They can do it, why can’t we?’ was a question asked in countless boardrooms. There was a simple answer. Chairman Huw Jenkins enjoyed a clarity of vision and managers Kenny Jackett, Roberto Martinez and, lastly, Brendan Rodgers, delivered it.

They arrived in the Premier League with a style and a swagger boasting players such as defender Ashley Williams and midfielder Leon Britton who had taken part in the incredible journey.

The feelgood factor lasted for years. The structure was kept intact.

However, over the past couple of seasons the good ship Swansea City has juddered, but just about spluttered along.

If it doesn’t come to a full stop, crashing into the rocks this May, it will be little short of a miracle.

The club was once heading upwards, now it seems to be going around in never-ending circles.

Jenkins (below) has been accused of selling the club’s soul. Another bunch of clueless American owners, a dilution of the spirit and scattering of the playing staff and yet another manager, Carlos Carvalhal, in the hottest seat in the Premier League. It’s difficult to keep count.

None of it is for the good. The commonality of purpose, of spirit, has disappeared. And going into this tie Carvalhal set his side up for a fall by expressing the opinion the runaway Championship leaders would more than hold their own in the top flight. If that was to relieve pressure on his new charges it backfired.

Yet arguably the man of the match still wore the Swan on his chest between the posts. Kristoffer Nordfeldt’s goal somehow remained intact.

Heaven knows how. He should have been beaten three times in the opening 20 minutes.

Wolves were unable to find the finishing touch but it would be churlish to rule them out of the replay.

And if you wonder why Nuno Espirito Santo has transformed what was a middling bunch this time last year under Paul Lambert, it is to be seen in the quality of the recruits.

Wolves have brought in players who will, surely, be around to compete in the Premier League themselves next season.

Swans, in contrast are a team who really do not know where they are heading.

Perhaps it is to be expected. One month ago, Carvalhal himself was in charge of a mid-table Championship team at Sheffield Wednesday.

Unless something drastic happens he could be in a similar position this time next year.