Not all the blame on Shelvey for not winning yesterday as we had at least 5 good scoring chances and the potential to turn Palace into mush. But ignoring the Jonjo factor isn't going to help Monk improve on the good start. Very few players can focus for 90 minutes so it's what happens when they are not focussed that counts. Only as strong as your weakest link and all that. Every player is the weakest link at some time, a striker fails to score, a 'keeper has an off day, a new opposition player comes on and makes a defender look poor, it's all part of the game. However, when a player's inclusion regularly changes the shape of the team for the worse and that same player has a habit of mucking things up I ask why is he preferred to others who have performed better? As for adding character, Flores was pilloried on here for 'adding character' even though he was a better player than Jonjo is ever likely to become. Carroll and Leon must be wondering what is going on!
The truth is that none of our midfielders are consistent at the moment. Carroll was carted off against Stoke and was part of the midfield that was battered for 70 minutes against Man City. Shelvey came on against Man City and we were a different team for the last ten minutes. Gylfi and Ki can also "disappear" for large parts of the game. Our form as a team shows that and it's a conundrum that Monk no doubt will be monitoring.
I think I attempted to offer some reasons in post 131. Perhaps, Monk felt that as Palace are quite a 'robust' team, then Jonjo would be a better option in midfield for that game than Britton or Carroll. Against a quality ball-playing team like Arsenal or Man City then maybe Carroll fits the bill better. I'm neither for or against Shelvey by and large, but I believe he has 'qualities' that others don't possess. Whether you want to include him in the team because of that is up for debate. Which is what we're doing.
If we consistently put teams like Newcastle and Crystal Palace to the sword (as we could have done) we would be Chelsea or Man City. We can aspire to be that but we're not at that level yet, so frustrating results and performances like yesterday will keep coming. That's just being realistic.
I can see that would be a reasonable assumption but it still baffles me why he wasn't substituted when it obviously wasn't going to happen
you have to take into account the opposition and palace did their homework and that is that. we looked the better side but palace had the measure of bony and defended very well..credit to them and no complaints from me...
We looked the better side for 15 minutes then lost shape and midfield. I doubt that Warnock is any better than Wenger or Pelligrini at the job of manager or coach ... I think those two and their coaching staff did their homework too. And I hope you're not comparing Ledley with ..... anyone on the Arsenal or City squads.
Ki finally unlocked the QPR defence to give the Swans a welcome three point boost. Up to 22 points for the season and 5 points better off than the corresponding fixtures last season Man Utd 1-2 Swansea (+3) Swansea 1-0 Burnley (Same) * Swansea 3-0 West Brom (+3) Chelsea 4-2 Swansea (Same) Swansea 0-1 Southampton (Same) Sunderland 0-0 Swansea (-2) Swansea 2-2 Newcastle (-2) Stoke 2-1 Swansea (-1) Swansea 2-0 Leicester (Same)** Everton 0-0 Swansea (+1) Swansea 2 Arsenal 1 (+3) Man City 2 Swansea 1 (Same) Swansea 1 Crystal Palace 1 (Same) Swansea 2 QPR 0 (Same)*** *Replaced Fulham ** Replaced Norwich *** Replaced Cardiff
He can be when he wants, you seem to be his restrained brother? are you sure your not related? I reckon you are!........................
Not that I know of but I have noticed a lot of good-looking, athletic and intelligent heterosexual men in Swansea and the old man did have a bike ... so it is possible
He will have achieved something tangible by Dec 31st when he has put more points on the board for Swansea City in the first half of a season than either of our previous two Premier League managers. That will do for starters.
I suspected you would not see that as a recognised achievement, hence I added "That will do for starters". By now you must be getting seriously worried that Monk will get more points in a season than either of his predecessors Let's hope things continue for the rest of the season in the same way they've started. For the record, after 19 games: 2011/12: 20 points (BR) 2012/13: 25 points (ML) 2013/14: 21 points (ML) 2014/15: ?? points (GM) - currently 22 points with 5 games still to play. Not trying to laud Monk or knock Rodgers or Laudrup - just stating facts.
You are barking up the wrong tree,like some others on here. Why on earth would I be "worried that Monk will get more points than either of his predecessors? Idiotic comment that sounds more like having come from the fingers of the deadly duo from Penclawdd. I expect better from you,but perhaps I shouldn't any more. Do you consider yourself a more committed follower of Swansea City simply because I don't wish to lick Monk's ass on a daily basis? I didn't do that for any of his,MORE SUCCESSFUL,predecessors. I see no reason to start now. That's right, MORE SUCCESSFUL,i.e.,winning something tangible,like, gaining promotions;winning play-offs;top ten finish,oh and winning a major trophy. Now,when Monk has any of those successes under his belt,I'll be first in line to slap his back,and ring his praises. Until then I will keep my powder dry,since boasting,bragging,or gloating,as many do on here, so early in the season,well,it's anathema to me. However,if you plan to organise a flag day,or bucket collection at the end of December,I'll chip in. To be quite frank,I could care less about comparing the points accrued to date with those of previous Managers. Better to compare their actual achievements,now that would make more sense.