Mixed fortunes as duo adapt to life in championship
SWANSEA City have had a fair bit of luck in the loan market over the years, writes MATHEW DAVIES.
Getting in quality youngsters on shortterm deals has been part of Swansea’s business plan for a while now, especially following relegation from the Premier League.
It ramped up under Steve Cooper, who used his connections from the England Under-17 set-up to bring in the likes of Conor Gallagher, Rhian Brewster, Freddie Woodman and Marc Guehi to supplement a squad gunning for promotion.
As such, Swansea have developed a reputation of improving players, with the Swansea.com Stadium seen as an ideal destination for youngsters seeking game-time away from big-name clubs.
This season is no exception, with Manchester United sending Ethan Laird to south Wales for the campaign, and Liverpool doing the same with Rhys Williams.
Their fortunes, however, could not be more stark.
Laird, the marauding right-sided defender who gets forward at every opportunity, has been a revelation in SA1.
In his own words, he is loving it, rekindling his relationship with head coach Russell Martin from their time at MK Dons last season.
“I’m enjoying life here and I think everyone can see that is the case,” said Laird.
“I have been loving the games, I have been loving getting to know the lads and I have been enjoying getting to know the area.
“It’s all been great so far, I’m a happy guy. I have every reason to be smiling. When I came here, I had obviously worked with the gaffer before, so I knew about the style of play.
“It was different for quite a few of the lads, but I could say to them that if it is given time we are going to enjoy it and we are going to do well.
“It’s an enjoyable way of playing, and recent results have started to reflect that.
“I’ve also taken a lot from stepping up to the Championship after playing in League One last season.
“There is a step in the intensity and the physicality, in the speed of the play. It demands a lot of you, but that’s what I want, it is great for me.
“I had options in the summer but this was a no-brainer. I know I will learn here, I know I will improve here.”
He has made 20 appearances in all competitions so far. Williams, by contrast, has just four games to his name.
Now there are mitigating factors in the centre-back’s defence.
Williams faces stiffer competition in the heart of defence, with Ryan Bennett, Kyle Naughton and Ryan Manning Martin’s favoured back three. Ben Cabango is also knocking at the door, and with Swansea boasting one of the best defensive records in the league (before the hammering at Bournemouth), it is almost impossible to question the head coach’s thinking here.
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Williams was also allegedly subjected to racial abuse at Luton Town earlier in the season, and Swansea pursued the sensible approach of taking the 20-yearold out of the firing line for a period. A niggling injury also affected his beddingin at Fairwood. All in all, it has been a testing few months for the defender who played 19 times for Liverpool last term.
Martin was quizzed on Williams’ situation last week and his answer provides an explanation as to why he hasn’t been playing.
“Rhys Williams is another one, we spend a lot of time doing individual work with him,” explained Martin.
“His attitude is fantastic. I think he’s come a long way in the short period of time he’s been with us, he’s improved a lot.
“But he’s come out of the team when he had a really tough period, and since then the guys have kept so many clean sheets and played so well.
“Rhys understands that and I’m honest with the guys. We had another conversation last week about his position, and I think he understands, whatever happens, he’ll go back to Liverpool better for this.
“It’s football. There’ll come a point where he gets the chance to be involved on the pitch again and then he has to take it. All he can do now is focus on being present every day, training as well as he can and supporting his team mates then wait for his opportunity.
“It’s not easy to leave these guys out, but the guys in front of him are playing exceptionally well.”
It’s a delicate situation, in all honesty. Keeping players - and their loan clubs for that matter - happy is a balancing act and is one a head coach must deal with. In the long term, a harmonious relationship with Liverpool would be extremely welcome, but Martin’s main priority is Swansea and their fortunes.
Laird’s impact has been phenomenal, whereas Williams has had to bide his time. But come January, a conversation will need to be had.