In the Summertime.

 In the Summertime.

There are still 13 days before the start of the European Championships, so for us Football Junkies, it's hard to make the best of an almost re-hab stint.

We're forced to suck up as much as we can from the League 1 Play-Offs, and to pretend (pace Sheffield Wednesday and Huddersfield) that we really care.

Btw, who knew the Goalies would hold the key? Not me.

Having feasted on a fantastic season's end at the top of the game - Man City PL Champs, Chelsea Champions League victors - anything following in proximity is almost guaranteed to feel a let down, isn't it?

Whilst we Swans can sit back and relax and wonder on the various additions/subtractions that might take place to take us further on this fantastic roller coaster ride of the past few seasons, spare a thought for those so called "Big Clubs" that fell a few small spaces short of where they wanted to be.

I've read that it's "tragic" that Utd didn't win the title, to which I have only to say - grow up, and get a life.

The almost insane finish to the PL Season that saw Sergio Aguerro bury a 94th minute goal to win the Title in front of their cross city rivals was the ultimate slap-in-the-face for Lord Ferg, and, for once, saw SAF genuinely lost for words.

There are often within top class football occasions where one is dumbstruck, and I've suffered a few in my first PL season with the Swans.

Think of Lita's stupendous passing goal at Blackburn, and Sigurdsson's equally good efforts at both Wigan and Fulham (my favourite). Think of Robin van Persie and Javier Hernandez "stealing" goals at the Liberty. Think of Cisse again, doing the same with his second at the Lib in a 2-0 win. Wow - to them all.

So this dry period, where we're almost starved of action is particularly hard to bear.

No matter, we have the consolation (for some of us) of Manchester United, those eternal blaggers of PL and other Trophies, winning nothing. The Meister of the Mind-Games will not be happy. Tee-hee. As above.

So now we get to the close season - where next year's success or failure is often shaped. For us Swans, there are 2 immediate concerns, and several other lesser things that might concern us.

Both of our Loanees from last Season had a real effect on our genuinely positive season. The first was Steven Caulker, the young Spurs CB who came on a season long loan and succeded in being a truly inspirational and effective player. Remind yourself, and take a look at my appreciation.

The most positive thing I've seen reported thus far is that Steven would welcome another season with us if he's not getting games with Tottenham.

This is complicated by Tottenham's attempts to sign Jan Vertonghen, the Ajax CB, who, if snaffled, will push SC towards us methinks.

The second was the regularly excellent Gylfi Sigurdsson, who only came to us on a January onwards loan, but was influential in scoring, and assisting in many Premiership goals, and came close to being one of several key reasons why we stayed in this division.

There are lots of us who remember the recently disabled Ferrie Bodde, who, prior to his debiitating knock against Birmingham whilst we were Championship members, had for the 3 previous seasons seen us play with a PL Player (him) scoring and creating regularly to take us upward.

 Subsequent to his loss through injury, we had lacked that quality MF'er who could both get goals and continue to create for the rest of the team. The Ice Man Cometh - and thank goodness he did.

Latest rumours suggest that Huw Jenkins, SCFC Chairman, has agreed a £7.2m fee, and it's now down to personal terms being agreed. Let's hope that's the case.

Whilst both of those deals are crucial in Swansea's quest to remain competitive, there's also the complication of our manager, BR, being a realistic target for both Aston Villa and Liverpool, however much reprobation we feel.

The complication remains this.

BR has rejected the Liverpool initial advance, stating rationally the he was loath to be part of some "parade of possibles" in the Pool's quest, and that they surely will have seen what he was capable of in our performances this year, particularly against Liverpool themselves.

It does not mean, unfortunately, that he's invulnerable to such an approach - and which one of us can say hand on heart, that if he were to be offered the job of Liverpool Manager, he would decline once again? Not me, btw.

I am certain that if there were a straight up offer, he would accept. The saving grace for us would appear to lie in the FSG's reported preference being for a "Sporting Director" role within the Club, with ex-Ajax and Real Madrid Manager Louis van Gaal leading the way.

Rodgers is unlikely to be attracted by this, since he would have effectively ceded authority to the experienced Dutchman, and it strikes me that if it's an out and out coach they want, they need to be more specific. Brendan, after all, has proved that he's more than "just a coach".

This, however, should not blind us to the fact that if he were to be offered the real Manager's job- no DoF, no "short list" and "parade", he might well accept it. This is, after all, Liverpool AFC, and we should give them that historic grace and respect.

Similarly, Aston Villa are a club with a long and illustrious History, but excuse me if I feel less threatened here, given that their search has no more than skimmed over BR's suitability. I may be wrong, but I think not.

Whatever, speculation now turns to who we might be likely to sign. and who we should ultimately release.

My gut feeling is that BR remains satisfied with the squad, and the only Players I can see being let go are Federico Bessone, who has played little part this year, and Scott Donnelly, who, along with his awful injury, is likely to thrive at a lower level.

I can see no other candidates for "shipment out", since unlike some, I'm an admirer of Andrea Orlandi, a player who's caused more split opinions in Swansea ranks than many.

Similarly, after Moreira's departure, it seems to me that Cornell has to have a year long loan a la Caulker with us last year to a lower League Club, and then we will be in a position to decide his longer term future.

This begs the question of who we should be targetting, and I'm sure that the Club has its list of realistic acquisitions.

As a fan (and a semi-sensible one), little movement out gives us little scope for movement in.

Given that we all agree that the 2 keys are Sigurdsson (or an equivalent), and Caulker(or an equal), that leaves space in my eyes for 2 more, maybe 3, additions to the squad. We might, or might not, be retaining Steven Dobbie, but I suspect that BR and SD himself will sort that one out, one way or the other.

I'd argue the case that in the case of Incomers, they should be a MF'er, a Striker, and if sensible a Utility Defender.

Consider these choices, if you will, all taken from the Prem's list of Players out-of-contract, wwhich I deem to be the sensible pool where we should be looking.

WBA's Somen Tchoyi, the Cameroonian attacking MF'er/Second Striker is a player that attracts. He is physically strong, clever, and a good footballer who would fit into our mind-set.

Similarly, Bolton's Ivan Klasnic, a clever forward (but not young) might attract on a short term contract.  He is a technically gifted finisher who has overcome serious physical worries, but is a superior scorer.

And,if we're looking for GK cover (which we might be), then Jussi Jaaskaleinen must have a shout.

Ricardo Fuller might be a striking alternative, since this is a player whose "freedom of spirit" has often disappointed Tony Pulis. One feels he might be more suited at a Club where the expression of quality football is more appreciated. Am I being harsh on Stoke City ? Possibly, but I know you won't blame me for that.

And if Caulker doesn't come off, WBA's Paul Sharner might warrant a look. The Austrian, previously at Wigan, is a flexible footballer and one, moreover, who has huge community involvement, even selling Season Tickets door to door. Respect.

Of course, there has been dispute lately on whether Scott Sinclair wants to sign an extension. The nuclear option is to sell him, and put in a cheeky financial offer to David "Junior" Hoilett's agent. No fee involved, so why not?

You never know, he might want to play at a progressive club, although I'll admit I'm flummoxed on his wage level.

Anyway, enough speculation - it's all designed to make you think and to tweak your off season interest. I'd be happy to debate it with anyone who reads. Please feel free to contact me, on any of the means at your disposal - FB, Twitter, the GB etc..

Tonight my intention is to sit down and watch the England v Norway fixture, the better to get a handle on Hodgson's development of the team that most tabloids can't wait to swipe. Who knows, they might win.
We'll see.

To get back to the initial point, part of this "enforced silence" period sees many of us worried that the Club, our Club,  won't do enough to match our ambitions.

I'd remind people that we have a more sensible than most board, and they undoubtedly have sufficient trust from all us fans to continue progressing. I'm a convinced admirer toward any further developments of both a Training Centre/ Academy facility along with gradual Stadium development. I think our board is clever enough to juggle the priorities- I believe they are.

We return next year to the Barclays Premier League, and we will undoubtedly come under Tabloid scrutiny - particularly of the easy "second season syndrome" type.

Our job, Club and Fans, will be to negate this - and to prove to the wondering and discerning many that we are, after all, here to stay.

We have had a fantastic first season at ths level - let's think that we're good enough for a repeat, at least.

Onward, Swansea City.

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This is Monday, and our Club confirms the Sigurdsson signing. Now, Liverpool, buzz off - and 'arry - please sign Vertonghen, and send SC back to us. He will get even better, I promise.