Gomis: B&B partnership can be a big hit

Bafetimbi Gomis believes he can strike up a successful partnership with Wilfried Bony and help the Swans achieve "great things" this season.
Summer signing Gomis started alongside Bony for the second time in last weekend's friendly defeat to Villarreal, with manager Garry Monk continuing to look at different partnerships and formations ahead of the start of the Barclays Premier League campaign.
Gomis linked up well with the Ivorian, with his knock down from a Jefferson Montero cross seeing Bony denied an equaliser only by a last-gasp goal-line clearance.
And the French international, who joined the Swans from Lyon in July, is confident he can form a formidable strikeforce with the man who scored 25 goals last term.
"We complement each other very well, but we still have to work very hard because we are still learning to play together," said Gomis.
"Myself and Wilfried are strong individuals but it's about what we can bring to the team to help us get results.
"I didn't know Wilfried before I came here, but we speak the same language and he has helped me settle in a lot.
"I hope we can achieve great things at the club.
"He's very generous and he really helps me out on the pitch. If there's something I don't understand, he will explain it to me.
"He also picks me up from my hotel and drops me off too, so he has been very helpful.
"I was well aware of his football ability, but I've really discovered a man who has his heart in his hands, so it doesn't surprise me that he is really loved here at Swansea."



While Gomis looks to make an impression on the Barclays Premier League - starting against Manchester United this Saturday - team success, he is keen to point out, is his main focus.
The 29-year-old has featured in different roles throughout pre-season, playing behind main striker Bony and vice versa.
And he is happy to play either role if it benefits the team.
"I don't mind playing the role behind the striker. I think myself and Wilfried complement each other well," said Gomis.
"Sometimes he repositions himself behind me and vice versa. My real position is playing as the striker, but we will do whatever is in the best interests of the team.
"I have objectives individually, but my main priority is the team.
"As a forward you depend on your team-mates to help you have a great season, and we will be working together to help the team achieve its goals.
"As a team we want to keep the team in the Premier League and also do better than the previous season.
"We have to respect the history of the club too. Some of my team-mates helped the club rise to the Premier League along with winning a trophy and playing in the Europa League.
"Since Swansea have followed me for some time, I have followed them too and I was very surprised with the quality and mind-set within this team.
"But, now, it is not surprising for me given that Garry Monk is the manager. He was a key player in helping the club get to the top division and he knows the mind-set and identity of this club, and that is very important."



Having settled quickly into the club and city, Gomis already feels already at home - on and off the pitch.
But while football is considered a universal language, the Frenchman is making a big effort to dramatically improve his English.
"I want to speak English as soon as possible because it's important for me to integrate myself quickly - that starts with communication," added Gomis, who spoke via a translator.
"It's vital for me to communicate with my manager, my team-mates and the fans. It's up to me to improve my English, but again, my team-mates help me out as much as they can, which shows you the mind-set of this team."