Swansea City have been on fire in the opening phase of the new Premier League season. After the club’s best ever finish last term of eighth, 205-16 looks set to bring even bigger results.
Manager Garry Monk has had plenty of time this summer to buy the players he wanted, but still keep the main heart of the squad. As England’s biggest and most powerful clubs had problems finding players to fill certain positions for over two months, the Welsh outfit did not encounter the same headaches. Monk played on a safe card, only bringing in names he actually needed and continuing to work towards new targets with those he already knew.
First four games
Swansea’s opening four games were not quite the easiest fixtures. The Jacks started their season at Stamford Bridge, where they bedeviled reigning champions Chelsea and made a statement with a 2-2 draw, but it also indicated the horrific start to the season the Blues would encouter.
The first match at the Liberty Stadium came in the next weekend as Newcastle travelled to Wales. A zestful Magpies side were proud of the first round draw against Southampton and were ready to improve, yet, another fine display from Jefferson Montero showed Newcastle’s weaknesses. Daryl Janmaat was sent-off after 41 minutes and another Bafetimbi Gomis-Andre Ayew goal combination was enough for a comfortable 2-0 victory.
The only match in which Swans fans could have been unsatisfied by their team’s play was at Sunderland. The reason for this being the scoreboard itself, since Monk’s players put on another good performance. However, only one goal scored from five great opportunities turned out to be insufficient, as Jermaine Defoe’s equalizer gave Sunderland their first point of the season.
The best performance of the season so far is that which Swansea put against Manchester United. After two wins last season against the Red Devils, most people probably expected an end to the streak. Instead, as they did last spring, Monk’s team pulled another comeback out of their bag of tricks. United were 1-0 up once again, but the Swans needed only five minutes to score twice. Ayew’s header and Gomis’ strike gave the home team a 2-1 lead, which they preserved until the final whistle.
Transfer window performance
After four rounds played so far, we can now say Garry Monk is a wise manager. During the summer, he released players that were not good enough, but brought in the ones that could fight for the place in the team. Releases of such names as Alan Tate or Jazz Richards is not something the fans will cry over.
On the other hand, Swansea made a huge point when they signed Ayew on a free transfer, following his departure from Olympique de Marseille. A player of his caliber could have chosen any team, but he insisted on coming to Liberty Stadium. His record is glittering so far, with three goals scored and one assist. While his performances in the attacking third have been impressive, the Ghanaian is proving he can also help a team defensively.
Kristofer Nordfelt, Franck Tabanou and Eder all came to the squad backup players. Nordfelt will be between the posts in some cup matches, Tabanou came from AS Saint-Ettiene to be Neil Taylor’s competition at the left-back, as the Welshman was the only player at that position last season. Eder is similar to Gomis’ style of play and he will be tasked to help out up front when the French striker lacks fuels, as he was in the last quarter of an hour against Manchester United.
READ MORE: What We Learned – Swansea City 2 Manchester United 1
Key Player – Bafetimbi Gomis
Swansea certainly have several players playing in high form, but Gomis’ is the one terrorizing opposing goalkeepers on a regular basis. He managed to find the back of the net in all four games, but he has also managed to score in nine out of Swansea’s last 10 Premier League matches. His stellar performances earned the side four points, one against the champions and three against Manchester United. Defenders beware!
What has gone right?
Swansea’s ability to control matches even when they are behind shows great character. Chelsea were in the lead twice in the season opener and the Red Devils scored only three minutes into the second-half last weekend. Both times the Swans showed what they are made of, comfortably running the ball back at the opposition. Swansea managed to create good portions of clear cut chances and the cooperation throughout the whole attacking line has been impressive.
Where to improve?
The Jacks could improve certain things when defending, the goals conceded to Sunderland and Manchester United were product of their own mistakes. An occasional lack of concentration could have cost them more than two points against the Black Cats, but in general they did look solid in the back four. Yet, the compactness in the defensive approach could improve even more, though the biggest sides they have played against had many problems creating chances in front of Lukasz Fabianski’s goal.
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Next four games
In the upcoming four rounds, Swansea will play Watford and Southampton away from home, with Everton and Tottenham coming to Wales. All four games could be tricky, as Watford showed in the first three rounds when they were undefeated. Everton and Southampton are showing signs of improvement, but if Tottenham continues playing as poor as they were in August, then the Swans will not have much trouble against Mauricio Pochettino’s men. Earning between seven and nine points in these four games would be a fantastic result.
Grade: A-
Swansea’s performances have been more than impressive. If there was no Defoe equalizer at Sunderland, this would’ve been an A+ for them. Yet, even though they have been forerunners thus far, as Garry Monk always says, “Swans always try to improve more and more”.
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