Re: Adam Swift : Fri Sep 19, 2014 10:41 am  

Sounds like anothe Gaskell scenario, I hope the coaching staff are not allowing Swifty to sulk and simmer, he needs a positive objective to build up a positive attitude.
Ade Gardner had a short spell of doubt but got stronger with the help of the experienced players and coach, Swifty might not have that, would be a total waste if he wanders elsewhere.

Re: Adam Swift : Fri Sep 19, 2014 10:47 am  

Donkey OTay wrote:

When the coaching staff select your competitor as Young Player of the Year when 1) he's not young, and 2) he's not the best young player, then you know the writing is on the wall. I'd get out now.

Exactly the wrong attitude that a top competitor should have. A top competitor will want to train the house down and get back in the team on merit, not some local favouritism or suggestion that talent alone outweighs effort and application.

Re: Adam Swift : Fri Sep 19, 2014 11:04 am  

bewareshadows wrote:

Exactly the wrong attitude that a top competitor should have. A top competitor will want to train the house down and get back in the team on merit, not some local favouritism or suggestion that talent alone outweighs effort and application.

But when you've tried that and are still being left out, what do you do?

Swift IMO didn't do anything particularly wrong to be left out, there are young players who are far worse defensively than him. Percival is a good example, he can't defend for toffee but still plays. Dawson is just the epitome of averageness. He should not be in our squad let alone our team. His selection as young player of the year was farcical and just shows how idiotic the people in charge are.

Swift is another victim of the selfishness of P. Wellens, dare I say it? Swift SHOULD have been playing fullback whilst Lomax has been out and would be better in the halves than Wellens as well. He could have excelled in either of those roles and could have proven his worth to the team.

Re: Adam Swift : Fri Sep 19, 2014 11:44 am  

I said mid-season that we needed to break up the Percival/Swift partnership for the time being and only play one of them at a time. At that point we were so vulnerable down that flank it was ridiculous. Swift clearly has considerably greater talent than Dawson, and I've no doubt he will become an excellent player, but since Dawson has been getting picked we've been much more solid on that edge defensively, so it makes sense to continue that way for now. Long term, however, I don't think Swift has anything to worry about at all.

Re: Adam Swift : Fri Sep 19, 2014 1:25 pm  

Dux wrote:

I said mid-season that we needed to break up the Percival/Swift partnership for the time being and only play one of them at a time. At that point we were so vulnerable down that flank it was ridiculous. Swift clearly has considerably greater talent than Dawson, and I've no doubt he will become an excellent player, but since Dawson has been getting picked we've been much more solid on that edge defensively, so it makes sense to continue that way for now. Long term, however, I don't think Swift has anything to worry about at all.

Exactly, but he should not just expect to be picked as he is the home boy.

Dawson is exactly what we need in the backs, not a super star, but average enough to step into the gap in any of the centres, wingers, fullbacks if they are not up to it or slack off.

If you had a class winger, they would not be content with chopping and changing each week to cover injuries or defensive frailties. IMHO Dawson is best for him at centre, but will not get a spot there as our other centres are better. Although maybe if we did not have Percival injured earlier in the year, Turner maybe should have been dropped for a few games too until he got his act in gear.

As it is, Percival was injured and so Dawson stepped in there and got a decent run. Covering until Swift ups his game is probably the plan, but if Swift can't up his game, then I'd expect us to go shopping rather than have Dawson long term. He's a squad player not a starting 17

Re: Adam Swift : Fri Sep 19, 2014 2:57 pm  

bewareshadows wrote:

He's a squad player not a starting 17

I suspect Brown would disagree, hence the young player of the year accolade.

Re: Adam Swift : Fri Sep 19, 2014 3:32 pm  

Wouldn't surprise me if Swift decides to move on, can't be good being left out time and time again.

Re: Adam Swift : Fri Sep 19, 2014 3:39 pm  

Jesus.

A 21 year old isn't an undropable first team regular yet and we all think he should just up sticks? We've made far better youngsters than Swift wait in the stands for their chance, and they were better as a result for it. Patience is a virtue

Re: Adam Swift : Fri Sep 19, 2014 4:08 pm  

I suspect this is just a rumour and nothing else, as he's not exactly an 'established' member of the team, even though he was given the 5 shirt this season. He should be looking at the positives and the potential he has, not just expect a place in the side, it should be a long term view if he's committed to Saints. Just look at the other youngsters who are waiting their turn in our squad!!

Re: Adam Swift : Fri Sep 19, 2014 4:53 pm  

St pete wrote:

He's not happy but I've not heard he wants out.

Brown isn't happy with his attitude and the way he reacted to not being selected.

Oh, here we go again. More comment on a player's 'attitude'. Last time fans started commenting on a player's 'attitude' the player's Mum felt she had to make sure those fans were corrected (see the article by said Mum in this month's Forty 20 magazine).

I am always surprised that the Mods allow comment on the attitude of players, based upon rumour and speculation.