Planet Swans ArchivesGarry Monk uses his programme interview for the Hartlepool game to hail the team spirit that they now have at the Liberty Stadium as he prepares to lead his table topping team at the weekend.
Monk says he believes that the team spirit now in place at Swansea City is the best he has ever seen during his career and that the lads go out of their way to welcome any new face to the Liberty – whether they have travelled 35 miles down the M4 or considerably further – reference to the European arrivals of the summer.
Monk said “I’m a big believer that team spirit is everything, and I’ve got no qualms in saying that the team spirit at Swansea is the best I’ve ever known at any club I’ve been at.
“All the new players comment that they can’t believe the team spirit at the club and as captain I feel it’s my responsibility to make sure it is right.
“From the first time they walk through the door, all the players make a conscious effort to give them a warm welcome – even Warren Feeney!
“I firmly believe it’s having the desired affect because despite the fact that we’ve got so many different characters and nationalities at the club, none of them clash.
“Our team spirit would never let us down. We are all in this together.”
Monk will feature in a four page spread in this week’s programme which is available from all parts of the ground priced at the excellent value amount of £3. He also explains how his long spell out of the game – he missed most of last season through injury – allowed him to study the recovery process even though not all players believe in it!
“I do a lot of recovery work. It’s a conscious thing and something the gaffer and the physio staff push hard. I’ve learnt that fluid intake is very important and I use a lot of supplements and protein shakes.”
Monk also swears by the dreaded ice bath and makes a daily trip to the Liberty Stadium to suffer the process that speeds up muscle recovery.
“It’s not pleasant, but I feel I benefit from it,” explains Monk. “The likes of Jason Scotland, Kevin Austin and Dennis Lawrence won’t go near an ice bath, but then Marcos Painter and Darren Pratley are big fans like me.
“In fact the huge amount of ice Marcos puts in the bath is unbelievable; ridiculous in fact. But you’ve got to laugh; once he’s in there he doesn’t understand why he can’t feel his legs!”
