Moras is less.....or is less Moras?

Moras is less..........or is less Moras?

Swansea City,as many fans are aware,are suffering a spate of unfortunate injuries.Brendan Rodgers,the Club's admirable young Manager,could be forgiven for thinking that the Fates were conspiring against him were it not for the fact that his approach to managing the South Walians is a little more grounded.Having given of his time and effort subsequent to the Play-Off victory by charitably ascending Mt Kilimanjaro as part of Chris Kamara's Marie Curie Cancer Care effort, his return to manage the team's first full season in the Premier League has been disrupted by genuine personal hurt and a series of footballing fitness/team building issues.

Part of Brendan's motivation for the South African trek had been the loss of his Mother to Cancer last year.Then,on the week of his club's enticing fixture against Arsenal at the Emirates he suffered the further hurt of his father Malachi's defeat to the disease.The dignified young Manager was a pall-bearer at the funeral whilst his coaches took the Swans to the London fixture.

His immediate return to the club shows the measure of the man.The injuries and absences from the squad currently are worth noting individually.

Let's start with Ferrie Bodde.For those unaware of this Dutch u-21's international talent I say get on You.Tube.Two years ago,against Birmingham,he damaged a ligament so badly that the subsequent operations to his knee have meant that he has been unable to (as yet) make a successful comeback to the team.That's both our,and the Premiership's loss.Wonderfully combative,skilful,typically Dutch maestro.I do not use the word lightly.

Secondly,in an accident you couldn't really make up, the club's long-serving and effective utility defender Alan Tate broke his leg in a Golf-buggy accident.No,I didn't make that up- google it.

Thirdly,on the weekend of the Arsenal 1-0 defeat(unlucky-again,google the goal-bizarre) Stephen Caulker,the England U-21 centre back signed on loan from Tottenham, damaged HIS ligament in a brave goal-line clearance.2 months M'lud.

Oh,and by the way,we also lost Kemy Agustien to a hamsting injury.The Dutch u-21 midfielder is a powerful,mobile footballer who has been known to play CB.That's that bust then.

All this has meant that Gary Monk,the Club captain,has been forced to play sooner than his full recovery from a foot injury that's visible to most.

Now Brendan is far from foolish,and to cope with this defensive frailty particularly at CB on deadline day signed both Darnell Situ,a French u-21 Cb coveted by many, and Rafik Halliche,a full Moroccan International.But,but....he didn;t you see- because FIFA,that august ultimate Football Authority of impeccable probity(sic) did NOT sanction either signing.Because we're Welsh,it would seem,and as these deals required International Clearance,we did not,it would further seem,get them done in time.Although we WERE inside the deadline. Work that out.I still can't.

Which brings us to this week, and our upcoming game against Stoke City.We have had,on trial,both Zoltan Liptak,a Hungarian International and Vangelis Moras,a Greek International.Both come with impressive(for us) pedigrees from Hungarian and Italian football.It's a pity that in a reserve friendly this week against Newcastle(which I saw), both played-but we lost 5-3.

Liptak seemed off the pace and has subsequently been released.But Moras,Moras.........at least he looked comfortable on the ball and I believe that there may be some light there.

And,from today's reports,we May have come to an agreement.So Stokies- bring it on I say.

Less,is indeed,Moras.