It has been a roller coaster of emotions for fans, board members and back-room staff of Swansea City Football Club recently. Even those not affiliated with the club have had their say on the matters that have gone on at the Liberty Stadium.
In particular, one person is gaining more respect from colleagues and followers -Garry Monk.
February 1: On a rare sunny winter afternoon in London, the type of football on display did not please the travelling crowd. The way Swansea City were moving the ball against their West Ham counterparts was not what their fans have come to expect.
Gone was the fast one touch passes. Gone was the quick flight of the wingers. Gone was any enjoyment. What came in its place was dire, and for 45 minutes, Swansea pounded the ball in to the opposition’s penalty area only for it to be spat right back by their commanding centre backs.
Beautiful passing had been thrown out the window, and during this entire episode, one man sat with a pained look upon his face - Michael Laudrup.
This was to become the last game in charge for the man and was applauded by the fans on numerous occasions. The Dane was the first to deliver a major trophy to the South Wales club with the League Cup and he guided them to a record high ninth in the English Premier League.
The cup win also ensured Swansea City would be playing in European competition for the first time in more than 30 years. Eighteen months ago, everything had gone to plan despite the drop in league form over the Christmas period. Fans became dismayed with the style of football played and could sense his lack of ambition growing steadily. This was fuelled by rumours Laudrup would leave in the summer regardless of what happened during the remainder of the season.
February 4: Huw Jenkins has been Swansea City chairman for more than a decade and the Swansea faithful backed his decisions like a letter of the law. The example today was that Michael Laudrup had been dismissed from his position along with assistant Martin Wieghorst. Jenkins has made some crucial decisions in the span of his boardroom control and these decisions are ones that now see the club operating with the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool. The Club is more familiar with their managers being poached than being asked to shut the door behind them, this being the first sacking in close to a decade. Once again, the fans stood by Huw Jenkins decision to cut ties with Laudrup, despite being slightly shocked of the decision’s timing.
Cardiff City is the pride of the capital of Wales and just 45 miles east of Swansea. Both clubs enjoy one football’s biggest rivalries in the United Kingdom. The game was scheduled to be played in Swansea in just four days and the sacking of the manager combined with the biggest game of the season for many in Wales added to the intrigue. Cardiff had won the season’s first encounter with a 1-0 win in the Capital, with a goal scored by former Swansea player Steven Caulker. It was a game that meant more than three points - it was a deep hatred against opposing fans but more importantly it included the ongoing relegation battle engulfing both teams. Their future EPL dreams were at stake.
Garry Monk, who recently handed over his team captain duties to fellow centre back Ashley Williams, has been at the club for a decade and is held in high regard by co-workers and fans, and it was assumed he would take Swansea’s manager’s role. It happened faster than expected. After assuming the reins, Monk prepared the team for the Cardiff grudge match, which was no easy feat. To the press, he mentioned how he used a BBC documentary on the club to inspire the players. It worked… actually, it worked wonders.
February 8: It’s a day no Swansea fan or Cardiff fan will forget in a hurry. The opening 45 minutes saw Swansea back to their original ways of possession football that made Cardiff look like a dog chasing its tail. There were no goals but the fans were relishing the encounter. Garry Monks halftime words must have put fire in the bellies of the Swansea players as they came out of the tunnel raring to go. The next 45 was a complete A-Z guide of how to play football. The 3-0 score highlights the complete annihilation of Cardiff, as Swansea yet again stand by their chairman’s decision and Monk. Following on from a result of those proportions is never easy but every manager knows once one game is over the attention turns to the next. The next game pits Swansea against fellow relegation battler Stoke City.
February 12: 'The Swans', as they are affectionately known, travelled north in search of another pleasing result. Against a team that is strong in height and in harsh wintery conditions, the Swans gain a point rather than lose two. It is enough to see them sit in the middle of the table and ease the thoughts of relegation in four months time.
Garry Monk has taken four points from a possible six but more importantly has restored pride. From his days battling it out in a Swansea shirt to his rise as a derby day winner in one of the world’s best leagues, Monk has shown his commitment to his club and the club have shown their commitment to him.
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