Careful Joe - the grass isn't always greener

SWANSEA were rocked when Trundle departed for Bristol City in the summer of 2007.

The Scouse striker had been Swansea's talisman for the past four seasons. Trundle became a symbol for the club, thrusting a lower division side into the public eye with his audacious showboating skills.

His 78 goals in 146 appearances proved invaluable.

But Trundle was unable to exert the same kind of influence across the Severn Bridge.

He stalled at Ashton gate, netting just six times in 41 games during his first season with City. And he didn't fare much better the next campaign, part of which was spent on loan at League One Leeds, scoring three in 30.

Two years after leaving, Trundle was offered a chance to return to the Liberty on loan — but it wasn't the same.

The tricky forward played only a bit-part role, featuring mainly from the bench.

ROBINSON headed for the Liberty exit in the wake of Swansea's League One title triumph — and his career has never hit those heights since.

Robinson was a key performer in 2007-08 as Swansea escaped the third tier in style. His ten goals from midfield helped Roberto Martinez's side finish ten points clear of closest challengers Nottingham Forest.

But that was nothing new from a player who had lit up South Wales since being signed by Brian Flynn in 2003.

From stunning free-kicks to close-range conversions, Robinson was on target 44 times in 195 games for Swansea.

He left for Leeds, a team trying to join Swansea in the Championship by winning the League One play-off final.

But Leeds fell short against Doncaster at Wembley and Robinson's career dipped.

He started just 20 games, scoring on only two occasions.

Robinson rejoined Tranmere on loan in March 2010 and has since completed a permanent move to his hometown club.

SCOTLAND enjoyed the hottest scoring streak of his career while at Swansea.

The Trinidad and Tobago international hit 45 goals in 90 appearances at the Liberty as Swansea surged through League One to the top end of the Championship.

His tally of 29 helped Roberto Martinez's side win League One in 2008 and the ex-St Johnstone man had little trouble stepping up the following season.

Another 24 Championship goals followed during the next campaign, prompting a move to the Premier League.

Swansea agreed to sell the then 30-year-old to Wigan for £2 million.

He found the net only twice in 33 outings for the Latics — once in the FA Cup against bottom tier Notts County — while his sole Premier League strike came during a defeat at Fulham.

Scotland switched to Ipswich in August 2010 where his scoring record remains modest.

In 83 appearances, the laid back frontman has netted on 18 occasions.

BRITTON swapped Swansea for Sheffield United two summers ago.

A year later, supporters in South Wales were celebrating promotion to the Premier League while the Blades were adjusting to life in League One.

Fortunately for Britton, he was able to make a U-turn and return to Swansea in time for that pulsating play-off final victory.

He was offered a welcome way out after enduring an uncomfortable seven months in Yorkshire.

Kevin Blackwell signed Britton as a player who could anchor a new passing approach as United looked to shed their long-ball reputation.

But this style revolution failed to materialise and three games into the season Blackwell left Bramall Lane.

Gary Speed and then Micky Adams took over, but still Britton didn't settle.

United won for only the seventh time that season against Swansea on December 18 before embarking on a 15-match winless run.

Luckily for Britton, he managed to agree a move back to SA1 so was in Swansea for most of that sequence.

United were relegated a few weeks before Britton featured for Swansea against Reading at Wembley.

A lucky escape.

DARREN Pratley famously held his shirt aloft to the Liberty directors' box after scoring a Carling Cup goal against Barnet in August 2010.

By the end of last season, the midfielder probably wished he was still wearing Swansea colours.

Pratley was upset at the way contract talks had progressed and announced that he was withdrawing from negotiations.

He eventually departed for Bolton last summer despite playing a key role in Swansea's promotion to the Premier League.

And like others before him, the Barking-born 27-year-old found life tough away from the Liberty.

Bolton lost four of their opening five Premier League games last season and that pattern continued throughout the campaign.

Owen Coyle's side constantly teetered around the relegation zone before eventually tumbling into the Championship after a final-day draw at Stoke.

Among the lowlights of Pratley's season was his Liberty return when he conceded a penalty as Swansea beat the Trotters 3-1.

THE Dutchman claimed he was leaving a club who hoped to stay in the Premier League for one that expected to when he chose Wolves ahead of Swansea 12 months ago.

And how those words came back to haunt him as Wolves sunk like a stone last season.

They were bottom of the Premier League for almost the entire campaign and finished 12 points adrift of safety.

Wolves's miserable form was compounded by de Vries's own situation.

After signing to compete with Wayne Hennessey for the No. 1 shirt, it soon became clear he was second choice.

The Dutch stopper had been an almost ever-present for Swansea over the previous four seasons.

After making a handful of cup appearances, de Vries had to wait until April for his first taste of Premier League action — and that only came because Hennessey ruptured knee ligaments.

On de Vries's top-flight debut, Wolves lost 2-0 at Manchester City.

And they were 3-0 down within 15 minutes of his next game, which was at the Liberty against Swansea.

Terry Connor's side battled back to draw 4-4 — but that can have been of little consolation to de Vries.