Tate, Augustien, Obeng, Lita & Moore transfer listed as Swans look to make room in squad

Quintet likely to be heading to pastures new as Laudrup looks to streamline the roster of players available to him

In what could probably be viewed as the first wave of departures from the Liberty since promotion to the Premiership (the odd player sale excluded), it seems we're set to say goodbye to one player in particular who's worn his heart on his sleeve for the entire of his spell in SA1.

Still aged only 30, there's a distinct possibility that Alan Tate will continue to play football at, at least, Championship level. He equipped himself well during our rise through the divisions and despite some (overly) harsh words from fans at times I thought he was excellent - and I include his performances at left-back into that. Ok, when up against certain tricky wingers he struggled, but what right-footed emergency left back wouldn't?

Sadly, it seems the time has come where Laudrup thinks we need to be looking above and beyond players of Tate's standing, and we can only hope he'll still receive a testimonial at some point. Laudrup indicated his decision to transfer-list certain players won't necessarily have been a shock to them:

“Some of them were spoken to in April; Tate and Bartley knew we wanted to bring in a different type of centre-back. We want someone who can play a little higher with more speed and they both said they didn’t want to be fourth or fifth choice here.

“With the forwards [Moore & Lita], even if we went into pre-season without new strikers, I wouldn’t have brought them. I wanted them to have the time to find another club instead of coming here just to wait before we signed someone.”

In what can only be described as a wonderfully subtle soundbite, Laudrup also indicated it wasn't necessarily just footballing reasons which have led to Kemy Augustien being shown the door:

“There were a lot of things with Kemy last season and it’s best for him that he finds a new environment and tries to play a little more regularly.”

That's being kind. 36 (I think?) points on his driving license for a series of offences, and going out on the piss with the club's arch-rivals less than 48 hours before he could realistically have been expecting to play a Premier League game? Not the conduct you'd expect from someone being paid many thousands of pounds a week to play football.

In regards to ongoing speculation as to the club's remaining transfer targets (Huddersfield's Jack Hunt in particular), the Dane was typically coy:

“You could ask a lot of names. So many players are linked and when they go to another place it’s because they turned us down when we never wanted them. If I signed just half of those linked we would have a squad of 36.” Michael Laudrup

While we don't want to become overloaded, these are exceptionally exciting times. It seems we're in the market for more or less anyone who'd improve the overall calibre of the squad, and why not? Assuming (and why wouldn't you?) that we can easily afford all of these transfers, it's really pleasing to see the club pursuing transfer targets with a vengeance. Who knows, we may yet see another quality acquision or two before the end of the summer.

Swansea award Alan Tate testimonial against Manchester United

Swansea fans will be some of the first to see Moyes' men as they come to town on August 13th

The Swans have announced that Tate will be given a testimonial after 11 years of service, and you'll find few who have a problem with that. Over the years there have been numerous incidents whereby Tate has endeared himself to the Jack Army (as well as a few which frustrated them - mostly when playing left-back), and few will forget him and Trundle holding a Welsh flag aloft in the Millennium Stadium in the aftermath of the Football League Trophy final, which was emblazoned with the words "**** off Cardiff". Both players received a fine of a week's wages and a police caution, and while I can't openly endorse that sort of thing you feel that he'll be remembered for this, amongst other things.

After failing to break into the United first team (although he did captain the reserve team playing alongside Chris Eagles & Luke Chadwick amongst others), Tate first spent time on loan at their feeder team Royal Antwerp before arriving in Swansea on loan as a fresh faced 20 year old, with the team suffering on the pitch. He joined at the start of that season where we came so close to dropping out of the league system, and his contribution can't be ignored - played 27 times in the league and I can honestly remember thinking that technically he was, along with Leon Britton, head and shoulders above any other player in the team (although that's possibly harsh on Martinez). Possibly a bit of rose-tinted glasses going on there, but he was competing against the likes of Lenny Johnrose...

One particularly fond memory I have of Alan Tate was of him scoring an absolute peach of a volley on the turn, after the ball had dropped to him from a corner. Thanks to the wizardry of Youtube I can share this with you! It's a really great hit, and backs up what I was saying about his technique. While he's never been the most forward-thinking of players, his first touch and control have always been very good. 

What's in store next season for Alan Tate? He went out on loan to Leeds last season where he played 11 games, but when he came back he poignantly stated he had no intention of quitting the Swans and wants to reclaim a first team spot:

"This is my club. This is where I want to be. 

"Who knows what happens in the future. Like I said when I went to Leeds, nothing is forever - everyone's playing days come to an end at a club. 

"It happens to everyone at some point, but I would like it to come to an end on my terms." Alan Tate

I've stated before that I think it's important we maintain as many tangible links with our less-glorious past as possible, and I feel Tate is a player who epitomises that idea. If he is happy to be here, I've no problem with the club keeping him around, as I'm sure the effect he has on the squad is an overwhelmingly positive one. 

We love you, Beaker!