Last season, under Monk, we secured 18pts from 14 games. An average of 1.286 per game This season, we have secured 30pts from 22 games. An average of 1.364 per game. If the first three games of this season are excluded - please bear with me, I recognise the argument that they should not - then we have gained 21pts from 19 games (half a season). An average of 1.105 per game. So, in overall terms so far this season, we are ahead of last year's average under Monk. However, the return for the last 19 games is lower, so it appears than we are trending down. Surely, having secured 30pts two months earlier than last season, we should be good enough to avoid a relegation dogfight? That said, how we finish over the last 16 PL matches will go a long way towards indicating whether Huw and the Board will have a big decision to make over the close season. If we finish well, I expect that GM will get the green light to continue - but if we merely crawl over the safety line, then a hard assessment of how we proceed will need to be undertaken.
All you have to see is where we were and how we played for a season and a half under laudrup..we were dire and slipping down the league faster than any other team that eventually saw us just 2 points from joining the bottom 3. Now if that is what you call good management i feel sorry for you.. we sacked him because he was not cutting the mustard and lucky we did with the way sunderland and palace found form at the death or we were certain relegation fodder. There is no dispute about it as it's all on record, The only mistake we made was that he should have been sacked much earlier like any other club would have done..
This makes a lot of sense. But I think your assumption of 30 points on the board is not a good enough margin to avoid a fight. I am hoping to be wrong, but the loss of Bony's firepower is going present a significant challenge going forward and will setup the scenario you suggested. Perhaps Oli will be magnificent or Gomis will finally figure out how to put a shot on target. Somebody can perhaps quote our current relegation odds and whether they have changed since the loss of Bony, but I think we could be in for some struggles. In Monk's defense the board have shackled him with a very difficult situation - no manager would appreciate the loss of a player like Bony - perhaps the players will rise to the occasion as they apparently did under Sousa (i'm not going to paste the quote). Monk is no Sousa and this is going to exacerbate the problem. If I was to be extremely cynical I might suggest that the Board sold Bony with two goals in mind - cash in and make Monk struggle with the hope that we can scramble enough points to be safe and then have cover to remove him in the summer. But, I'll leave that to others.
Facts are facts dear boy. you cant change them however much you try to ignore them...end of story we might as well put this to bed now...
I can't see the board getting rid of Monk having worked together to get rid of his predecessor. I think they are very happy with the Roy of the Rovers look and believe the excuses he keeps making. The purchase power he's been allowed is testament to the love the board has for him. Bony cash as Jenkins said some weeks ago (before the transfer was complete) will go to facility improvement - which could be a major part of buying out the Liberty. Money had been set aside for full backs and misfield players in the Summer and was not used - the money being made available now should be the money not used in August, as we still need full backs and a defensive midfield player.
Assessment of Monk? Doing very well, still a green Rookie, but will finish the season with the mighty Swans looking forward to a 5th season in the Premier league.
Tbh, I think everyone other than Dai has applauded Laudrup for his outstanding achievements etc during his first season. Anyone who attempts to criticise is first season is a grade A muppet. It's his second season that is being compared to Monks first full year in charge.
yes playing the swansea way for the first half of the season where we won our first trophy but what happend to the rest of the season and a half, we were dire and hardly won a game. I would not credit laudrup with our first 6 months as he admitted he did not know where swansea was and he certainly did not know any of the players except De-guz. It was curt and the senior coaches who picked the team and set the game plan in laudrups early days. Why did it all go pear shape the minute he started to run things his way that effected the whole set up of the club let alone on the pitch. what happened over night. ..No he was useless from day one and should never have been appointed. Im glad we got rid but im sorry it was not sooner....
Assessment of Monk Garry is doing exceptionally well as our manager regardless of his rookie status. So far he has shown himself to be a very capable, talented young manager indeed. Maybe we should make a list of other rookie 36yo managers so we can compare them, any takers? maybe laudrups little luvvies can have a go at it. Garry must be respected for his achievements not his personality. He has been extremely successful at freshening up what was becoming a toxic changing. To do this he cleared the ego's who threatened us and replaced this junk with players we love Siggy, Jefferson, Fernandez, Fabianski. In fact, Gomis apart, all of his transfers have been spot on so far, well done Garry His mane success though has to be maintaining our growth through a very trying period. He kept us up last season when we could easily have gone down and this year he is in the process of giving us some bite. Although I feel we still need some one in midfield who can TACKLE. Shelvey could be this man but he needs to sort out his demons first. Monk has also helped players re-invent themselves, Ki being a prime. Shunned and neglected by the previous incumbent now, under Monks guidance, Ki has risen to be one of our best players. Monk has skilfully guided us the top half of the table which, given our current squad, is right where we should be, we have lost nothing under Garrys tenure, but we've bought some great talent and made a heap of cash, well done Garry. So the assessment has to be that Garry Monk has been superb for us so far. I would ask laudrups little luvvies again to offer a list of alternative managers they think would be an improvement on our very own Garry, or a list of ways in which his tenure has had a detrimental effect on our club. GREAT WORK GARRY, KEEP IT UP
I did a football coaching course with 2 ex-Swansea coaches (who had been involved for years and are still in touch with goings on at the club....when they finished the course they played a video of the Swans (to give an example of "what we are all aiming for and what we can achieve by coaching players the right way"). One particular passing movement was highlighted as the pinnacle of Swansea's football and it was stated that all involved with Swansea can be proud. Guess who's team it was they were talking about and was exclusively used in this video? Hernandez, to Michu, back to Leon, out to Ben, into Ash, to Chico, up to De Guzman, Routledge, Michu.....Goaaaaallll. ****ing hell bring back Curt that's what I say Oh yeah, he's still there isn't he Perhaps Monk should either let him coach and pick the team or try listening to him once in a while What a prize cock you are Dai Twp
We did for a few months in the first season under him, but then it all went pair shaped, good job the mighty Bradford failed to turn up in the Cup final, of course Laudrups insistence on kick and rush with little respect for our passing legacy only had limited success, and when his inferior tactics were found out, it was all down hill from there on in, his one dimensional attack philosophy through the middle with our wingers cutting inside too, became all too predictable and easy to defend and counter, and by the time he had finished his inept so-called superior strategy we were languishing 2 points off the drop zone, and the rest is history. It was under Laudrups dire second season that we lost our possession and passing game completely, and we only see it now in small glimpses, shame that he ruined such a well oiled machine, and I will not thank him for that. I just hope Monk can reclaim it, but it's clearly proving illusive. When you look at the way Liverpool played under Rodgers last night, it reminded me of how we used to play with such pace and intensity, will we ever get that back? not sure, but I hope so. If Newcastle sign Laudrup, then Ashley must be preparing for the Championship.
There are hundreds of crap coaches through the revolving doors of the club, too many to wast my time talking about, some went to west end some to Pontardawe, some to Llanelli, etc etc, real prize lemons, I'm amazed they were connected to our club, perhaps they were training the girls teams...
Actually they were coaching the likes of Joe Allen, Jazz Richards and Ben Davies and left for other opportunities in the professional game....bitter much?
