Swansea City manager Garry Monk says he is determined not to have cliques in his squad. Monk says he has worked hard to create a better atmosphere within the squad. He said he has made 'a conscious effort to make sure that's right' following last season's training-ground bust-ups Monk also hopes new signing Federico Fernandez will be given international clearance in time to face Burnley on Saturday as they look to build on last weekend's 2-1 win at Manchester United. Monk said the atmosphere in the squad "contributes to what they do on the pitch." He added: "When people talk about cliques, there are people you naturally hang around with but it's about making sure that everyone feels on the same level and they do things together." Monk denied breaking up Swansea's Spanish clique following the exit of Chico Flores, Pablo Hernandez, Alejandro Pozuelo and Michu. Flores has been sold to Qatari club Lekhwiya SC where he will play under former manager Michael Laudrup, with winger Hernandez also moving to Qatar to Al-Arabi. Federico Fernandez Federico Fernandez made four appearances for Argentina at the World Cup Striker Pozuelo signed for Rayo Vallecano and forward Michu has joined Italian club Napoli on a season-long loan. In January, when Monk was still a Swansea player, police were called to the club's training ground following reports of a confrontation between the defender and Flores. The pair issued statements denying a rift between them. Monk also said that Fernandez, 25, who joined for an undisclosed fee , believed to be about £8m, from Napoli on Wednesday, is in contention for a starting place on Saturday. "I wouldn't have any concerns about putting him straight in," said Monk. "We're still waiting on international clearance but hopefully he'll have some chance. "He needs to get up to speed with us but the type of player he is and the experience he has, I wouldn't have any problems playing him in any game. "We'll have to decide tomorrow after training." Fernandez is one of seven signings this summer but Monk is still hopeful of adding a few more players, though he said no bid has been made for Montpellier midfielder Benjamin Stambouli. "We're trying to negotiate but it takes a little bit of time. Hopefully we'll have two or three in before the end of the window," Monk added. IS THIS GUY FOR REAL
Well he's obviously implying that there has been a problem and if so it only confirms some of the fans' concerns about the Spanish lads. I think Musty's comment reflects the irony of Monk's alleged involvement in cliques himself. I can see the point.
If you win ... you're a hero. If you lose ... you're a war criminal. Contexts change but the relative outcomes are always the same. The winner gets to write history or rewrite it as the case may be. It is what it is. And the beat goes on.
This one? http://www.not606.com/showthread.php/274262-Modou-Barrow Thought Monk was checking him out first. Didn't think he'd signed.
you can bet he is for real, I can see him being the best boss that the swans will have ever had. He knows everything about the club and he knows the best way to run it........Liverpool use to promote from inside the club 15-20 years ago and it worked. the minute they stopped doing that they had the leanest years in their history....Is monk for real.....you can bet your life he is....
Not sure about that. After Shankley was Paisley then came (from within) ***in, Moran, Dalglish, Souness, Evans with only Dalglish giving them sustained success. Houlier built them up a bit Benitez improved them and Hodgson, Dalglish and Rogers have won very little (FA Cup - very nice - under Dalglish). Win % best under Paisley then ***in then Rafa then Rogers.Folllowed by Houllier, Shanks and Houllier again. If Monk can do Wenger by being successful and stay in post for 20+ years that's fine by me.
the guy hasn't got his coaching badges, how the fk is he even allowed to be a manager, no offence against him but what are the rules re this?
Fed up with this pro monk / anti monk debate. Can we just support the Swansea City Manager until we reach a point where results cause us to question that support. I do not think we are remotely close to questioning the results yet.....so can we give it a rest. I admit this is a public forum where anyone can debate anything (preferably Swansea city / football related), but come on guys, this forum is for supporters of swansea city afc. How about we show this support, including the present manager until at least we get to the point were there can be a real debate about questionable run of results.
Whats with the posts showing repeated words from one line to the next !!!! I went back in to correct what I thought was my error to find out my text is fine (grammar, not content before anyone wants to argue ). Does anyone else have this issue, or is it because I am using a ZX81 to post.
