Swansea have gone from European contenders to relegation battlers in what seems like a matter of months and it even shocked the club into the ridiculous sacking of Garry Monk.
Now, the Swans sit above the drop zone with Alan Curtis in charge for the rest of the season and it all feels like an inevitable slip back into the second tier is on the horizon.
Swansea fans might be hoping differently, but the recent sale of Jonjo Shelvey doesn’t do much to reassure you that they will be safe in 2016.
As with so many sides, this winter transfer window is crucial to their success in the second half of the campaign and it might be a case of reinvesting the revenue from the Shelvey sale to make sure they are still a Premiership club when the mammoth TV money comes in next season.
Whether its a striker, a centre-back or a whole new spine, Swansea need investment this month.
So we’ve taken the liberty of preparing their ideal end of January XI..
Lukasz Fabianski
Since his move from Arsenal, Fabianski has had a rather turbulent time on the south Wales coast.
The Polish ‘keeper has a blunder in him, but he has also been responsible for keeping Swansea in games on an occasion or two.
Kyle Naughton
Naughton scrapes in ahead of Rangel despite his tendency to make questionable decisions in the defensive third.
The ex-Spurs man is usually a reliable defender and provides adequate support down the right but it wouldn’t be out of the question for the Swans to try and upgrade.
Andrea Ranocchia
Ranocchia may have his sights set on bigger clubs, but the inconsistent Italian might opt for the guarantee of minutes and an experienced starting partner of a lesser club if Swansea came calling.
The other centre-backs at the club haven’t done too much wrong, but the extra pedigree of Ranocchia would be hard to turn down.
Ashley Williams
Captain and leader of his club, you fear that an injury to Williams would see Swansea plummet towards the relegation zone.
Not always the rock solid force he has been in previous seasons, the Welshman is crucial if Swansea are going to hold their own.
Kieran Gibbs
Gibbs’ good form over the last couple of years has not been enough for him to nail down the left-back spot at Arsenal, largely due to the form of Nacho Monreal.
Neil Taylor is usually a reliable defender, but Gibbs would offer a bit more going forward and could support down the left.
Jack Cork
It was a bit of a surprise when Saints let Cork go to Southampton, but the Chelsea academy graduate never seems to get the recognition he deserves.
As he patrols in midfield, Cork does a lot of the donkey work and sweeps up in front of the defence. Perhaps a good second half of the season could see him push for England selection.
Ki Sung-Yueng
Ki, for my money, is one of the most under valued players in the league.
Whilst big clubs are over looking his talent, the Korean has been a consistently class act for Swansea and the Welsh side are lucky to still have him. Ki’s presence, along with Cork, will lessen the blow of selling Shelvey.
Andre Ayew
Early season, Ayew looked to be one of the signings of the summer.
Unfortunately, the team’s poor form and regular changing of position has made Ayew lose a bit of his recent form, but you can be sure to see the Ghanian as a key figure if Swansea are to stay up.
Gylfi Sigurdsson
Spurs letting Sigurdsson go back to Swansea was an odd decision, but the Icelandic international has really struggled to get back to his best this season.
Sigurdsson has never managed to develop the same relationship with a striker as he did with Bony and it has really damaged his side.
Jack Grealish
Villa may not want to let their prize young star go, but Grealish’s off pitch antics may tempt them into a sale and the starlet would be a great creative option for Swansea.
Fortunately, Montero could remain as a wonderful option off the bench and Grealish could focus on producing regularly for Ayew and Austin.
Bafetimbi Gomis
Gomis may be struggling for goals at the moment but he still has enough in his locker to be a key player in the Swans’ battle against relegation.
With Charlie Austin signing for Southampton at the weekend, Swansea may have to stick with Gomis if they were looking to offload him and sign the QPR striker instead.
So they’ll be eager for Gomis to return to his goalscoring self sooner rather than later.
