Monk keen for brave performance

19th November

Garry Monk believes his side must be brave and be prepared to take risks when the Swans host Bournemouth at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday (3pm).

Monk's men welcome the Cherries to South Wales aiming for a return to winning ways in the Barclays Premier League.

Prior to the international break, the Swans were edged out 1-0 at Norwich City despite dominating possession at Carrow Road.

But the Swans were unable to truly test opposition goalkeeper John Ruddy, and Monk insists his side need to be prepared to take risks in the final third against Bournemouth this weekend.



"When we're at our best, we take risks in the right areas," said Monk. "Understandably, when you're not playing with full confidence and not at your best, the easiest thing to do is take the safe option because you don't want to be the one to make a mistake. It's quite natural.

"If you look at the Norwich game, we were arriving in the right areas but when we got there we didn't have the bravery to take a risk. 

"But we have to give the players the belief that it's ok to risk in the right areas. I want them to express themselves. We have top players here and it's important they know that.

"We haven't performed to the levels that we can, but it's not through a lack of effort or commitment.

"We want to get back to wining ways, thats our focus. It's a big game. Its important we show our unity and character and put in a display that we can be proud of.

"We have been working really hard on the training ground, talking to each other in order to put things right, and hopefully you will see that on Saturday."

Bournemouth, meanwhile, are enduring a difficult spell of their own, having lost five of their last six Premier League fixtures.

But despite their recent struggles, Monk expects Eddie Howe's side to go on to have a successful season.

"Similar to ourselves, they've had a run of results, which have probably not been as they would have wanted," added the Swans boss. "They have had situations where they could have scored more goals to secure more points.

"But they have a great attitude. They remind me a bit of ourselves when we came up. 

"They have a good manager. I know Eddie, having spoken to him. I think they will have a successful season but, similar to ourselves, they're going through a difficult period.

"They have a good squad, but they've been unfortunate with serious injuries to important players."