With Southampton next on the agenda, the time seems right to have a closer look at a Swans player who started his career with the Saints, before becoming one of Swansea's most important players - Nathan Dyer.
Who?
Dyer (a.k.a Dizzy) joined the Swans from Southampton in 2009 for £400,000 following a successful loan spell. He's five foot five and plays on the right wing. He's easy to spot because he'll be the one taking on three players at a time, often successfully. He has a telepathic relationship with right back Angel Rangel, and in addition to being a reliable free-kick winner, has recently discovered his shooting boots (and a scoring touch).
The Good
Aside from the afore-mentioned particulars, Dyer has an unmatched work ethic. He'll check back and put in a solid defensive shift just as readily as a forward surge, making him a true box-to-box winger... if such a role exists.
He has solid dribbling skills, frequently attracting double and triple teams from the opposition, he is an under-appreciated tackler (routinely among the top three best tacklers for the Swans, statistically speaking) and he's hungry, especially since the arrival of Pablo, which has pushed Dyer to the bench more often than he'd like this season.
The Not So Good
At five five and a hundred pounds soaking wet, Dyer isn't a physical presence or a threat to score with his head, though he has managed it in the past. He is also not the best crosser of the ball, preferring to dribble into dangerous areas and play the ball on the ground than ping high balls onto striker's heads. Fortunately, Dyer's style suits the Swansea system.
Although Dyer has historically been a terrible shooter who couldn't put the ball in the ocean, that has changed significantly for the better recently. Also, referees apparently have a hard time believing a small winger can tackle well - Dyer has been penalised for perfect tackles more than once already this season, even getting a yellow for protesting after being wrongly whistled for an inch perfect slider on Steven Pienaar.
The Stats
Briefly summarised in a couple of graphs are Dyer's most pertinent basic stats. These numbers are taken from Dyer's appearances over Swansea City's first ten Premier League games.
Dyer's tackling success rate of 93%, whilst not technically team-leading, ought to be considered as such since he has achieved that rate based on 14 attempts (Danny Graham and Kemy Agustien lead with 100% from a single attempt each). Not bad for a tiny winger.
I have included goals and assists together, because it stands to reason that where there is an assist, there is a goal. For this purpose, each event has equal weight. Dyer actually has two a piece.
Of course, there is no guarantee Dyer will start on Saturday, since Michael Laudrup has been rotating his wingers lately to accommodate new signing Pablo. For his own part, Pablo has been on fine form, netting last week's equaliser versus Chelsea. If nothing else, Dyer will almost certainly see some action as a second half sub, and with a bit of luck, he can break his old side's heart all over again.