Swansea skipper made comment in public plea for Wilf to commit to another season in SA1
You have to love this. Just in case Wilfried Bony was unaware how importantly he's viewed in Swansea, our club captain has given a nice interview where the players' feelings on the matter have been made perfectly clear - they want him here:
"It is very important he stays because he is a very good player, he has come back very focused, the best we have seen him. He is sharp in training and it would be a big boost to keep him. It would be bigger than getting a new signing - when you bring a new person in you are not sure how it is going to go. I don't make any decisions at the club, but as players we want him to stay and we have told him that.
"We have lost players every summer, that is the nature of it football and you have to move on when things happen. I don't know what will happen but we want him to stay and he knows we feel that way. He is very popular here.
"He looks sharp and he is so hungry, he wants to score every day and win every game. I am sure that will serve him well. Ash Williams
Bony better than ever? Scary stuff for opposition defences. I get the distinct impression that The Monk may have asked Ash to speak to the press about Wilf, in order to make a bit of a power-play for Wilf to stay. It does now look fairly likely he'll be here come the start of the season, but anything we can do to enhance that possibility is time well spent, in my book.
Ash went on to talk about Bafetimbi Gomis, and how he's settling into the squad:
"It is massive thing for Bafi - we are all pleased for him and it must be great for him to see the back of the net move. He has come in and done well. He is a nice guy and he has learnt English to a good level really quickly. He did not speak any English when he joined and he cost me a fortune on my internet bill translating everything in America, but he is working hard, there is more to be done which he knows and he is doing specific work to get up to speed.
"He is not the same as Wilf, but I am not sure we'll see anything like Bony again, he is such a phenomenal athlete. Bafi has come in and you can see his quality. I have not come up against him much but he is physical too, he has a good first touch, he can roll you and his finishing has been very good. If you give him half a yard he scores.
"He needs to get a bit sharper and get up to speed with the English game. I was speaking to Bony and he says it is a bit different, which is fair, but he has time before the first game to get to the level
"If they can get firing together it is something we can really look forward to. Opposing defenders will definitely pick up some bumps and bruises. If you look at the team sheet before a game and they are on it you will not be looking forward to it." Ash Williams
http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/Ashley-Williams-Swansea-City-players-desperate/story-22044163-detail/story.html#ExrFzcUmIqcBgreq.99
Hard to disagree with that really - if we can get both our powerhouse strikers firing we'll be a serious, serious force to reckon with. It's also more confirmation that we're looking to play with two strikers at times this season, and I await with eagerness the first lineup of the season. Do we dare go with two strikers at Old Trafford? Monk changed it up bravely at the Emirates by debuting the diamond midfield - I wouldn't bet against him doing it again, especially with Van Gaal seemingly set to play three at the back.
Until then we've got a few more friendlies to get out of the way, and I'm sure we'll see a bit more coming and coming in the near future in terms of the makeup of the squad. Everyone can be agreed on one thing though - we want Wilf in SA1.