Lita’bit of a Chance

The appointment of Garry Monk as Swansea manager has opened up the door for a few Swansea players that were previously being frozen out of the picture. Notable inclusions in this category being Leroy Lita, Kyle Bartley, Jazz Richards, Neil Taylor, and to a lesser degree Leon Britton.

I jumping to conclusions slightly here but possibly it was an anti-British thing. I’m just speculating, hence I could easily be wrong, but Laudrup possibly mistook their cheeky Britishness for rudeness. I have worked overseas and many times non-Brits think we are being rude, when in fact we are simply demonstrating that classic UK wit. Sarcasm is hard for non-native speakers to understand sometimes, and possibly this offended Laudrup somehow. Anyway, in cheeky-chappy himself Garry Monk, they have a much more understanding ear.

Yes certain players such as Lita also have terrible reputations, but some of this is undeserved. As he has got older, he has reportedly improved. Confidence is not a sin, look at Alvaro Vazquez, jeepers-creepers if only he had an ounce of Lita’s confidence he might score the occasional goal. On Vazquez, this is a classic example of Laudrup’s blinkered vision. Vazquez has failed to score for Swansea, in extensive opportunities (I don’t know the exact stats but I’m sure he’s played more than 10 times for us, with zero return), yet Lita is loaned out and not given a sniff….it reminds me of Moore-Shechter last year. We all saw Luke Moore was a bigger threat than that cart-horse Shechter last season, but would Laudrup give him an opportunity.

With Garry Monk back in charge, opportunities were given to Lita, Bartley, Taylor and Jazz, versus Everton, with Bartley particularly impressing. Jazz showed enough to look like he should inherit the number-2 right back position from Tiendalli, whereas Bartley really impressed at times, looking great in the air (something we have really missed), plus possessing a nice range of long range passes. Lita though had less time, but in his twenty minutes, or so, he demonstrated something Vazquez has failed to do all season, demonstrating a bit of determination, pace and direction. Lita, in my eyes, should be the number two striker to Wilfried Bony. Lita can be a dangerous little fox-in-the-box to bring on with precious time ticking down in the second half of games, or useful change of pace when Bony tires.

… from 1.15 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGxtEdp__WU

Whatever happens in 2014, I’m pleased Monk’s appointment is bringing fresh opportunities to the squad, as a closed selection policy destroys team ethos, whereas competition breeds improvement all around.

Marvin Emnes – Exemplifies The Swansea Way

Swansea’s signing of Marvin Emnes exemplifies perfectly the return of “the Swansea Way” that Garry Monk talked about. Emnes might not have set the world on fire since he returned back to Middlesborough, post-his earlier Swansea playing spell, but the Swansea management team obviously remembered his talents and knew that they would still work here.

Marvin Emnes has exceptionally quick feet, and excellent touch – its almost as if the ball sticks to his feet sometimes – he simply epitomizes “the Swansea Way”.

He’s not particularly big, not really fast enough to play out wide at the top level, but then most of the Spanish international team aren’t and they sure remain successful. Marvin Emnes ideally slots into the attacking midfield slot, just behind Wilfried Bony. Yes we have lots of other lads who can also play there, but as with Hernandez they can also play elsewhere in the team.

I see Marvin Emnes playing a crucial role in our battle for survival this season. His graceful passing, elegant style and eye for a goal will likely prove an invaluable resorce. Good luck Marvin, I hope you stay long term this time.

Welcome Garry Monk

So we did it, we sacked Michael Laudrup and we made the shock appointment of 34 year old Garry Monk. I have to say well done on your courage Swansea, personally I’d have probably been too scared to make such a move, but the more I read and think about it the more I like it. Garry Monk is a clever lad that has worked, and hopefully learnt, from some of the best young managers in the Premiership, chiefly Roberto Martinez and Brendan Rodgers.

Having beaten Cardiff so convincingly, and a good Cardiff side at that, I am confident Garry Monk will continue to lead us well, and to safety. The players look happier and the ball is zipping around the pitch with renewed vigour, in Monk we trust.