Yahoo News 'Mad as a box of frogs' - Luke Williams' verdict on out-of-contract Swansea City stars' futures
It's fair to say Swansea City have some big decisions to make over the next couple of weeks.
Luke Williams takes his side to Norwich City on Saturday in full knowledge of the potential summer of upheaval that lies ahead.
As was the case this time last year, the club are likely to be very busy in the upcoming transfer market, but before that happens there is still the small matter of deciding on who will still be at the club next season.
The club have already moved to trigger 12-month extensions for Nathan Wood and Liam Cullen in recent weeks, with Williams confirming the move for the latter on Thursday.
READ MORE: Swansea City make transfer decision on Liam Cullen as Luke Williams lays out fresh incentive
However, there are still several other players whose contracts are up at the end of the season, and many they are all seemingly facing uncertain futures.
Liam Walsh
The forward offered everyone a timely reminder of his talents in the 4-0 thumping of Huddersfield Town last time out, curling in a tremendous 25-yard strike that even had some Terriers fans in awe.
But without wishing to labour a somewhat obvious point, talent has never really been the problem for the 26-year-old. Rather, it's his disappointing injury record that has proved the most significant stumbling block to his Swans career taking full flight.
As Williams will know, it was a problem at Bristol City too. In fact, Walsh has started just 12 league games in his last four seasons. Many will argue such numbers are not sustainable.
"What a player," Williams said when quizzed on Walsh's situation. "He's a brilliant talent. We have a few things that we have to weigh up because we didn't manage to see enough minutes on the pitch from Walshie. Not from anything he's done wrong, but he does keep picking up injuries, we know that, and we have to make sure that we feel like he's robust enough.
"The chances are that he's been really unfortunate and that he's going to have a really long spell of playing football. So there's things to think about with him.
"We're still not quite there yet [in making a decision]."
There's not yet been any decision either way, and an extension hasn't been ruled out at this stage. But Williams clearly has some reservations that are likely to be mirrored within the Swans boardroom. As a result, few would really be all that surprised to see him move on.
Jamie Paterson
The forward has enjoyed a really strong season in a Swans shirt after navigating his way through some choppy waters last term.
Williams admits Paterson is something of a mercurial talent at times, but clearly values his level of experience in what is otherwise a relatively young side. Talks are, according to the Swans boss, already under way.
At 32, a one-year deal seems the most likely outcome should the club look to keep him on, and it remains to be seen whether the two parties can agree terms.
But there's no question that there is some appetite for keeping him on board.
"We're talking to Jamie Paterson and there will be discussions going back and forth," Williams said. "We'll see if everyone's on the same page. He's a Championship player who's proven time and time again. You can't replace that type of experience easily. He's as mad as a box of frogs so he does something incredible on the pitch.
"You don't need me to tell you that he's such a great character to have around. There are no dark days with Pato. He's unaware of negativity and things like that."
Interestingly, Williams has seemingly suggested that Paterson might well have other options on the table this summer.
"There's many guys like that around with that level of resilience. You just always get energy and excitement from Pato and then sometimes mad frustration. But I'll take that. It's no problem.
"Let's see what happens, but he's not going to be a guy that's going to be without options either so it has to be a deal where everyone's happy."
Joe Allen
A very similar situation.
Talks have taken place with the player's representatives, with Williams struggling to hide his admiration for the midfielder over the last few weeks, despite the 34-year-old's somewhat patchy injury record in recent years.
Again, one suspects a one-year deal would be the most likely offer given his advancing years, although Williams clearly believes Allen is still capable of offering something on the pitch.
"He has nothing to prove," Williams added. "There's no question marks over whether or not he's gone beyond an age where he can compete.
"I looked yesterday at some of his physical data. It's quite funny, he's actually getting stronger. I don't know how he's getting stronger, but he is. We know how good he is and he's still got the ambition and physicality to play. But we have to make sure he fits in with everything else we're doing as well.
"It's a possibility."
Kyle Naughton
"It's a possibility."
Largely the same as above. Naughton's experience and professionalism is seen as a huge asset to this team, and his outings this season show he can still compete in the Championship when called upon.
Yet again, at 36, it seems unlikely he'd be offered anything longer than a year, but given that money probably wouldn't be a stumbling block, it feels like a potentially simple deal to get done.
"It's something similar to Joe," Williams added when asked on the veteran's situation. "You look at Joe and Kyle Naughton, they're guys who have played in the Premier League and they played in the Premier League for a reason.
"You never stumble to the Premier League. You have to prove yourself time and time again. That level of quality is rare - and more rare in the Championship. The experience, two guys as well that are really committed to the club. It's not a chore to them. They love being in Swansea. They love everything about the club.
"He's really talented. A really talented player. We have to talk to Kyle Naughton as well because again he's not going to be a guy without options."
Przemyslaw Placheta
A few weeks ago, one would think the Polish winger would have been nailed on for a deal beyond his current short-term contract, such were the quality of his performances.
However, his latest hamstring injury has thrown his situation into some uncertainty. Not only because it's denied him the chance to pull on a Swans shirt again this season, but also because it's arguably brought his previous time on the treatment table into sharper focus.
Placheta spent most of last term sidelined with a shin injury, and there are perhaps some concerns that his talent may well be overtaken by his injury record.
"I think we all like Shemmy a lot," Williams insisted. "He brings a lot to the club. I think he has a set of skills that are hard to find. He does have an ongoing injury problem at the moment, which we're trying to get to the bottom of. We have to take all things into consideration with that.
"But he's a really good guy. Has a great personality, and he came in and was really committed from the very beginning and I think he made some really good performances. We're going to need a little more time on that.
"It's looking at the injury record and the amount of games he's been able to put together back-to-back. There are few bits that go into that."
There are clearly a few niggling concerns there.
