Football League World
·13 November 2024
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·13 November 2024
It has been a tough season so far for John Swift
Sunday's clash with Hull City could prove to be a significant one in the context of this season for West Brom.
After a run of eight games without a win, and just two goals in their last seven games, the Baggies will hope their 2-1 win over the Tigers can get their season back on track.
Indeed, that victory at The MKM Stadium has ensured that Carlos Corberan's side will spend the November international break fifth in the Championship table.
However, from an individual perspective, one West Brom player who may not have exactly enjoyed that win over Hull, is John Swift.
When the team were named for Sunday's game at The MKM Stadium, Swift found himself being forced to settle for a place on the bench.
That would remain the case throughout the whole of the 90 minutes, with the 29-year-old an unused substitute in that win.
Instead, it was Mikey Johnston who was tasked with filling the number ten role that would normally be filled by Swift when he is on the pitch for West Brom.
When Johnston was withdrawn with 79 minutes on the clock, it was the more defensive Ousmane Diakite who replaced him, likely with a view to seeing out their one-goal lead to full-time.
As a result, it could be argued that the prospects for Swift's future are The Hawthorns beyond the end of this season, are not exactly promising.
That win over Hull was seemingly the latest in a line of frustrating games from a personal point of view for the attacking midfielder this season.
While that was the first time Swift has not featured in a Championship match this season, his involvement has been more limited in recent weeks.
The 29-year-old has started just two of West Brom's last seven league games, and has completed a full match just four times in the league, but only twice since August.
His influence has also been limited, with the attacking midfielder yet to score or provide an assist during the current campaign.
In light of that, it is perhaps telling that when Corberan did decide to make attacking changes against Hull on Sunday, he looked elsewhere.
Lewis Dobbin, Grady Diangana and Jed Wallace were all introduced into the game at The MKM Stadium, while Swift remained on the bench.
Combined with the fact that Johnston, a more natural winger, was selected over Swift in his own number ten role, and it does seem as though the 29-year-old is slipping down the pecking order.
As a result, it may not be a huge in these circumstances, if the 29-year-old was to leave West Brom when the transfer market opens again at the turn of the year.
Currently, Swift's contract at The Hawthorns is due to expire at the end of this season, meaning January could be their last chance to cash in on him.
If, as looks like it could be the case, the attacking midfielder is about to drop out of Corberan's plans, that may be something they are tempted to do.
That way, they will avoid missing out on a fee for him further down the line, while generating some funds that could be used to sign a player who will have a bigger part to play in a promotion push.
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