Agree, pre season friendly's gives Monk the chance to play different tactics and use different combinations. Will be nice to see us mixing our game plan if and when the occasion requires this season. Also should a game plan not work during pre season, it can be scrapped before the season starts.
Depends on how well and quickly the new signings gel. At this stage, I'd say lower half but if the lads click it could be as high as 8th. We'll all have a better idea a few games in.
My biggest fear is lack of creativity amongst old and new players with a new manager . Our " New " Swansea Way may very well be the long ball , diagonal or otherwise .. " we know our boys can pass the ball for fun already " do we kidderz? Taking a bit for granite imo
I have no ideá. Going forward it's starting to look real good, defensively not so much. Rangel/Taylor need at least 1 more player with high quality to cover, or even better to replace someone like Rangel.. And if it was my team, more midfielders with lovely ball control, passing and brains.. I fear this season the Swans could loose their style of play, as this was something I know ML would focus very much on. Garry is more british in that sense. Garry monk seems a bit thick.
....too me they are both capable of being deep lying playmakers alongside a defensive midfielder but I'll never think of them as being a defensive midfielder because they don't have defensive instincts. Both have a tendency to wander, both have a tendency to switch off and lose their man. Shelvey can tackle, I'll give him that, but sometimes rashly....for me his big weakness is discipline, he has rushes of blood to his big bald head. I like him though....and I like Ki (always defended him as a tidy player...hasn't provided enough or scored enough since he's been here though and too me he's a very lucky boy to be offered a new improved contract), next to someone who's MO is sniffing out danger and protecting the back 4. I see our midfield like this; -------- Shelvey or Ki ------- Leon/????????? (maybe stick Jazz or Fulton in there for now) ----- ------------------- Siggy or Shelvey/Ki/Routledge/Montero ----------------------------------- I really do think we'll struggle if we were to play Ki and Shelvey together for a length of time (Centre-midfield and the importance of achieving dominance there is a thing of mine as I used to play there )
Most will agree that our predictions will change after we've played the first few games. We could well be bottom of the league after the first round of matches if we suffer a heavy defeat at Old Trafford but the next 2 matches - Burnley and WBA - both at home are matches we will want 6 points from - no excuses. After that we should have an idea of what to expect for the season.
Heretic!!! Go write 1,000 times, "I must not spill my cool-aid and drink it to the last drop" Be prepared to duck. Incoming ....
I think we had a much tougher start to last season - more top teams with Europa and players on International breaks not really providing any breathing room to rest or get better organized. I may be wrong, but from my glance at the first six fixtures my impression was an easier start to things. United away being the exception and regardless of their true quality LVG is going to provide a brutal test in terms of a non-standard Prem system, plus the emotional energy of the first match, plus players wanting and needing to impress him.
Gary Monk is the manager but I wonder how much input his number 2, who was brought up on Spanish football, will have. He isn't going to sit there like a dummy.
Couple more players with one being a quality LB and we should finish in the top half challenging for a European spot. Failure to get LB better than Taylor then a bottom half finish but not in the relegation places....
I agree it is the time to practice, but not every other ball, we have to vary it, If we do it as often against better pposition they will get picked off every time.
So you seriously believe that Taylor is the difference between a top six (european spot) and a bottom half finish? Really...?
I reckon of gomis can get an understanding going with siggy then they could be lethal with siggy balls through for gomis to latch onto amd we also have the aerial prowess and hold up play of bony with siggy feeding off of him so could be little higher than my old predicton of 12th fingers crossed
Yes Taylor will be our weak link. his attitude stinks and he is not as good as before he was injured, i don't rate him one bit but he is all we have got unfortunately....
Ki is going to be an important player for us this season assuming he stays. He will play more games than leon under monk. but at least monk will play him in his favorite position and not as a forward or defender...
Dai, I do agree with him being the weak link and I just hope we replace him. But, maybe with a bit more game time he will improve.
Taylor will be born again and we will get 110% now that he will get a chance . Selling one guy ( Davies )who is finacially overrated and having Taylor at the ready is just good business . Ive been calling for Davies to be sold for big money the last 6 months , glad we are making some good decisions .
