Planet Swans ArchivesMonk was one of Jackett’s early signings at the club and played his part in the club leaving League Two under the now Millwall manager.
And much like Darren Pratley – another Jackett signing – Monk gives the former manager much credit for starting the Swans rise up the leagues which could continue tonight with a move into second place – their highest for 27 years.
It was 2004 when Monk arrived at Swansea – “I remember Kenny ringing me that summer and saying that he was interested,” Monk told the Evening Post.
“There were a couple of other clubs in for me.
“I remember MK Dons was one, while there was some talk about Sheffield Wednesday.
“But I came down here and the rest is history.
“I came down for a look round on the same day as Sam Ricketts and Forbesy.
“I think we all took a look at the new stadium, which was a shell at the time, and heard what Kenny had to say and felt the club was definitely going to be going forward rather than backwards.
“I had a few reservations at the time about dropping down as far as League Two.
“But with the players Kenny was talking about bringing in and the potential of the club, I just felt that we would definitely get out of the division.
“We have been progressing as a club ever since, and a lot of that has to be thanks to Kenny.
“He was the one who started our climb up the leagues.”
Jackett had replaced Brian Flynn who had kept the Swans in the football league less than 12 months earlier
“I think Flynny did really well here,” Monk added
“He brought in more of the flair players, shall we say, but I don’t think that team really had the stability you need.
“With people like Andy Robinson and Trunds already here, I think Kenny realised he needed a solid base around them.
“That makes players like me sound rubbish, but he brought in people like Willy Gueret, Kevin Austin and Sam.
“When you are in the bottom league, especially, you need that physical side.
“Okay the football was not the most attractive, but we got the job done.
“Kenny knows his football and he got it spot on.
“People talk about long ball, but he never once told the lads at the back to hit it long straightaway.
“I just think that with players like Rory (Fallon) and Bayo (Akinfenwa) in the team, and people like Leon (Britton) and Robbo running off them, it panned out that way.
“Roberto came in and changed the style, but Kenny deserves massive credit for giving us that winning mentality, making us go into every game thinking we could win.
“He started that, it grew under Roberto and now we have it more than ever under the new gaffer.”
Monk obviously knows all about a Jackett team and that means a tough match tonight with Jackett having lifted Millwall into the Championship last season
It’s a tough place to be a manager, with their fans and the fact they have to play a certain way.
“But Kenny has managed to do the job. He got them promoted and this year they look strong and physical and they are going to be organised.
“It’s a contrast in styles. Hopefully our newer style will beat the old one, but you can never tell.
“What counts is who performs on the night.”
