How our unbeaten start to the new season has seen Garry Monk compared to Harry Potter!
Josh Kilmister on the Swans making an impression on the continent
It’s no secret now that our start to this season has been exceptional, and it’s not only the British press that have picked up on it. Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport have dubbed Monk as one of the ‘New Wizards’ of Europe, along with Roger Schmidt (Bayer Leverkusen), Willy Sagnol (Bordeaux) and Rui Vitoria (Vitortia Guimaraes).
Together, they join Monk on the cover of the newspaper in a Harry Potter mock up, with our man being honoured with the star role.
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| Image - http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2749166/ |
The text below the image reads:
“These coaches are the surprise of the season that is beginning. They are beginners who started work directly in the top division, without much experience. They drive the tournaments in England, France, Germany and Portugal, although they don’t have the chance of being the winner eventually”
Okay, maybe they’re right in saying we’re not going to go on to win the league, but how nice does it feel to have our progress noticed around the globe? With Premier League football only getting bigger abroad, it’s nice to have our name chucked about in the countries where five years ago, they hadn’t a clue where Wales was, let alone Swansea! [Having lived in Europe for three years I'd argue most Europeans don't know where Wales is! - Ed].
With the Manager and Player of the Month awards are announced this Friday (I say Friday - don’t take my word on dates!), it’s difficult to foresee a situation where we go unmentioned.
Back to wizardry, and with Monk due to come up against a footballing magician in his own right in Jose Mourinho, it’s a match that could very well go either way. I for one can't wait.
Thanks to Josh as usual. You can follow him on Twitter @JoshKilmister