Paul Abbandonato,Head of Sport,Western (Cardiff) Mail - I hope you're choking on your corn flakes this morning - "part of me is wondering whether on this occasion (Monk's appointment) the Swans board have made a rare error in judgment. Not very rallying, I accept, with an opener against Manchester United at Old Trafford looming.But I guess it is that game, and the stark contrast between Monk and a managerial colossus in Louis van Gaal, which has brought my concerns into focus". "it just seemed a little bit too cosy (Monk's appointment) after the contentious decision to get rid of the great Dane" "It would be unfair to expect Monk to continue the recent sequence of new Swansea managers leading to even greater Swansea success"
We all know that they are just praying for us to fail as they have done since we went into the prem. Keep up the good work western mail
I'm no fan of the Fail but he was only saying what many of us were saying - Monk's appointment did (and does) look a little 'cosy' as well as a cheap option. He doesn't have experience, let alone Prem experience. The Board's decision may still prove to be an error of judgment. Yesterday's result was fantastic and a feather in Monk's cap - he got everything right fair play and credit where it's due and only a fool wouldn't gain at least some optimism from that result. His tactics and subs were spot on. But at the risk of being criticised for "pissing on people's chips" again there's a long way to go and let's assess Monk after 10 games or so. Like most fans who are fair-minded I'd be prepared to say I was wrong and maybe Mr Abandonwhatsit will too.
Every summer we've been hit by blows which should have knocked us down and out of the EPL, but, against the odds, we've got up, fought on and survived the round. But we can't expect to keep doing this. Our 'here today, gone tomorrow' managers have used our club for their own personal ends using us to provide short term success to bolster their own CV's. They have all used us, disrespected us and left us. Any growth or stability achieved during their reign they took with them when they left. It seems we've learned our lesson with the appointment of Monk as maintaining the revolving door for these guys would kill us as a competitive entity with aspirations to play in the top flight and with dreams of Europe, Europa or even Champions League one day, even I can dream. Appointing Monk, like it or not, provides us with stability we've NEVER had under any of his predecessors. Monk gives us stability and the board can envision a future which can be strategically planned towards with no or little disruption. Monks appointment was not a cozy or safe option. Monk IS the the youngest manager in the EPL, IS a total rookie and IS a big risk, but his appointment was essential for a stable future. Stay up or go down, the stability this appointment brings is truly worth the risk. Monks appointment is positively a risk worth taking and Huw Jenkins and our board have once again proven that they have balls of steel.
If Everton or Liverpool came knocking do you think Monk wouldn't leave? IMO Roberto was give a chance and paid us back handsomely before going back to his first UK club. Sousa - pushed out Rogers - can't argue with what we achieved but yes he used us too Laudrup - gave us huge success and excitement. Always said he'd leave after 2 years but got pushed out.
I'm not sure "used" is the right word when speaking about former managers. We employ them to do a job - to bring success to our Club, and if they deliver they go on to bigger clubs. If they don't they're history. Not a question of "using" because if they are successful they actually repay us with success.
Spot on dragon personally icannot see how a true fan of the club would doubt who the club bring in as have they ever let us down in the managerial department in the last 10 yrs, did monk really do that bad when he came in, apart from the southampton game last season i dont think so
You can cite as many ifs or buts as you want bob, but I suggest that there is as much chance of Monk leaving us as there is hope of us winning the Champions League next year.......none What you should be asking is, would Liverpool or Everton etc, come in for Monk, and that's my point in a nutshell. His appointment takes that out of the equation, it has stabilised a very shaky, unstable and dangerous area of our business. Of course, if Monk becomes very successful then inevitably clubs will come calling, and who knows what would happen then.
Stumpy i agree with most of what you say. People are entitled to opinions, whilst I disagree with Bobs they are still his. But Monk only gives that essential stability as you say, If he keeps us in the PL. Which I think he may well be able to do.
How can this forum ever move on from Monk V Laudrup when you continually post this bull****. The top 10 finish and League Cup was achieved with the following players in the team (none of which were here when Rodgers was...); - Chico - Ben Davies (was an unheralded youth team player when Rodgers was here) - Tiendalli - Ki - De Guzman - Hernandez and - Michu got that? Jesus suffering Christ! He also played Tremmel and Routledge in the 1st team on a regular basis. Routledge was a bit part sub player for Rodgers and Tremmel barely played at all. Why don't you admit you are wrong on this this time?
Ever presents under Rodgers who weren't in Laudrup's team; - Caulker - Taylor - Allen - Siggy (from January onwards) - Sinclair - Graham (Laudrup fazed him out then got rid) Capiche?
In Costa's for brekkies so had a look at the Western Mail. Paul Abb piece about how everyone had underestimated the Swans - made me chuckle. But the real laugh was the front page of the sports section .... full page picture of .................... Kenwyne Jones.
Bob why are you surprised, Jesus he scored 2 goals against a team with no manager and conceded 4 against Bournemouth at home. Now that has to be front page headlines.
