Robinson hopes takeover gives Swansea transfer boost

Former Swansea City winger Andy Robinson has spoken of his relief at being able to say his old club are back heading in the right direction following their recent takeover.

But he believes January's transfer window could be a telling sign of the new ownership group’s ambition.

Chairman Andy Coleman, fellow shareholders Brett Cravatt and Nigel Morris, and new investor Jason Cohen finalised a deal to take control of the Championship club late last month.

It saw the group acquire the majority shareholding previously held by US businessmen Jason Levien and Steve Kaplan, who had been at the helm for the past eight years.

The deal included a £20m investment into the club, but Coleman has already stated that money will be used to "stabilise the business" with a focus on the "long-term sustainability of the club, while not holding back on our ambition".

Profit and sustainability rules would also prevent rampant spending for a club that lost nearly £18m in the 2022-23 financial year.

But Robinson said he hoped there would still be money for Swans boss Luke Williams if he can push his side closer to the play-off places.

Swansea came from two down to draw 2-2 with bottom club Portsmouth on Saturday, leaving them 12th in the table – seven points off the top six.

And speaking on BBC Radio Wales before the game, Robinson said: "You want things to change.

"We hear about sustainability, but it’s been that way for nine years. From an ex-player and a fan’s point of view, we all want to see the same: the manager given the best tools to do the job.

"Ultimately, it depends on Luke Williams tactically getting it right going into January, because that could be a big turning point.

"If it comes to January and they're in a good position, will there be a bit of a reaction, will Luke Williams be able to ask for something to try and get the side and get the club closer to where we want to go?"

Williams has already spoken positively of the boardroom changes and - despite acknowledging the restrictions - believes the club will become "much more competitive" in their bid to return to the Premier League.

Robinson said he was optimistic of the club’s future under the new ownership, adding: "It's been small steps but it’s going in the right direction and we haven’t been able to say that for a long time."