As Monty Python would have said - "What has the Monk ever done for us?"
Since Garry Monk came in, it's been surprising to me how much he's had to win over a certain part of our fanbase. Why some thought he was doomed to failure I don't know, but I'm happy to say that we've now secured the "magic" fourty points (even though 37 is normally enough) in the quickest fashion in our history, and look set to build on that with a record points total at Premier League level.
To help anyone still harbouring ill-founded unease, I thought I'd point out some of the things that Monk (and others behind the scenes) have done which have been of benefit to Swansea City.
Kicked out the clique
Last summer we saw lots of departures. Michu, Chico, Canas, Pablo, Pozuelo & Vazquez all departed, and it's hard to argue that this season we haven't presented a better team unit. Togetherness is key in team sports, and having groups within groups isn't a good practice.
Oversaw key signings
While Huw obviously does a lot of the transfer work, I doubt Monk is completely excluded. With that in mind the signings of Sigurdsson, Montero, Fabianski, Carroll (loan), Fernandez & Cork can't be overlooked. All excellent bits of business, all done at good prices. All six of the signings listed above have worked out at least as well as we'd hoped, and if Gomis starts firing too it'll have proven to be a very good transfer window for the Swans.
Stopped goals leaking from full-back
Towards the end of last season, and the beginning of this, it was apparent we were leaking goals down the flanks - in particular down Ben Davies'/Neil Taylor's left-hand side. We don't any more. I can't claim I'm an expert at full-backery but the main thing I've noticed is improved discipline and shape, making sure the back four stay as a unit, and we're definitely a much better team in this regard.
Installed a "Plan B"
Despite some people's criticisms, the way we've played in the last few matches shows Monk has been working on an alternate set of tactics which makes us a lot more difficult to break down. Ten clean sheets isn't to be sniffed at (only 3 teams have equal or better records - Southampton [12], WBA [11] & Liverpool [10]), and given we're likely to become more efficient at utilising this system there's reason to be positive it'll stand us in good stead,
For what seems like forever people have bemoaned a lack of a plan B for when we're liable to be under the kosh. Now we have one, don't reject it just because it isn't pretty. It works.
Motivated the team
Towards the end of Laudrup's reign everything had become a little pedestrian. You can't say that of Monk's team though, as under our former centre-back we've seen our boys become a pressing and harrying machine. There might be a bit of fine-tuning needed - Gylfi could and perhaps should have had a break earlier than his enforced exclusion through suspension - but in general our work-rate is improved and I think that has a large hand in our continued success this season.
Worked with Jonjo Shelvey
You get the sense Laudrup would have loved Shelvey for his raking passes and goals from waaaay downtown. Monk has clearly taken on a more hands-on, perhaps patriarchal role with Jonjo though, and he's definitely benefiting. Of late he's looked a much more disciplined player, and if he keeps improving as he has done over the last six months then then England recognition shouldn't be a million miles away.
Retained Ki Sung-Yueng
The decision to loan Ki to Sunderland is now looking a stranger and stranger one. Easily one of, if not our player of the season, persuading the Korean to stick around and making him an integral part of the team was one of the best moves Monk has made in his short spell as manager. You can see Ki is enjoying his football, and with five goals in 23 Premier League starts he's currently the top scorer at the club (excluding Bony who's left for Man City).
As you can see, Monk has been busy. I've been very impressed with him so far, and as a rookie manager who's still improving there's reason to believe his managerial capabilities with grow exponentially alongside the club's.
Swansea's hierarchy have long spoken of the desire to create a "bootroom" atmosphere at the club, reminiscent of Bill Shankly's days at Liverpool. While it's still early days, Monk has got off to a good start.
Is there anything we've missed? Do you feel there's anything that has gone unnoticed which has helped us to our lofty league position? Get in touch using the comment section below