Monk The Speed Master

Statistics say that Garry Monk was the quickest man on the park last Saturday

Speed probably wouldn’t have been a trait many would have seen in Monk at this stage of his career but the stats say that he reached 27mph last weekend – outstripping the likes of Scott Sinclair and Nathan Dyer.

And whilst he is not ready to challenge Usain Bolt just yet Monk is happy to hold the title of the fastest Swans player “They’re all a bit jealous, and Mark Gower’s gutted because he’s officially the slowest

“Nathan and Scott feel a bit threatened because they like to think they’re the fastest, but I just take it in my stride — literally.

“Imagine what I’m going to be like when my foot’s fully recovered!”

Monk was preparing for the Swans weekend trip to Anfield with the rest of the squad and when asked about the trip he added “As kids, everyone around the world knew about Anfield and everyone knows about it now

“But as players we’re in a phase of our lives now and in our careers where that doesn’t matter to us.

“It’s about us trying to go up there and do a professional job, the experience is for the fans to enjoy.

“When we went to Wembley, which is one of the most talked about grounds in the world, we couldn’t worry about anything else.

“Then, if you get the result you want, you can take it all in and enjoy things afterwards.”

He will find himself up against the likes of Andy Carroll and Suarez this weekend and Monk added on the Uruguyan “He’s a top player, one of the best in the Premier League and a very tricky customer

“I didn’t realise he was that good.

“I’ve seen him in World Cups and things like that, but it wasn’t until he came here with all the media attention that I realised his quality.

“He is going to pose a really tough test for us, but it’s one we’re looking forward to.

“This is why we worked so hard — for the opportunity to play against people like Suarez.

“All I care about is our performance,” added Monk.

“I think you realise when you go to these top teams that you need that little bit of luck with you no matter how well you play.

“I don’t know how we didn’t get anything at Arsenal — we should have got a draw at least and, had it not been for a mistake, we would have.

“But it’s not about who we’re playing. We want to improve our form on the road as quickly as we can.

“That starts on Saturday.”