DOB: 3rd August 1973
Birthplace: Saint Cluade
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 13st 2lbs
Previous Clubs: Le Mans, Millwall.
Swansea City AFC.co.uk Comment:
Willy Gueret done enough during his trial period to be offered a 1 year contract at the Vetch which he signed only days before the opening day of the season. Gueret spent around 3 weeks on trial with the Swans and featured in friendlies against Den Haag, Hereford and Worcester City.
It looked as if we’d be going into the new season with only 1 keeper a month before the start of the 2004/05 season and with the little experience Murphy has, Swansea were desperate to find another shot stopper to put some pressure on him for a place in the team. With Roger Freestone leaving the Vetch after 12 glorious seasons in the first team, Jackett now had to find a new successor and the French keeper hadn’t even heard of the Swansea legend and he told the Western Mail at the same time that he will sign to be the number 1. “I’ve come to Swansea to be the No 1….To be honest, I wouldn’t sign to be the second-choice goalkeeper.
“I need to be playing and I can’t see myself sitting on the bench again. I wouldn’t be happy with that.”
He spent 4 years at Millwall and was on the bench in the FA Cup final against Manchester United back in May. He set a record with the club for having 4 consecutive clean sheets.
Gueret proved to be an excellent signing in his first season with us in League Two but he hasn’t quite lived up to those compliments in League One the following year.
His errors have been costly in some games and while he’s played well in others, he’s been inconsistent to say the least. Jackett never considered opting to give young Murphy a first chance during the year and the former Manchester City keeper has now been released.
Gueret now faces competition for the No.1 spot following the signing of Andy Oakes. The French keeper will now have to perform at a higher standard than last year to keep his place in the side.
