Monk Praises Magnificent Swans

I defy anyone after last night to question the importance and excitement that the Europa League can bring after the Swans held the Italian giants of Napoli to a 0-0 draw. No, that’s unfair let me rephrase that after the Swans were held to a 0-0 draw by Napoli.

The latter of those two statements sounds much nearer the mark after a game where the Swans outplayed their more glamorous opponents and ended the week as the only representatives of the English leagues to leave their European game without a defeat after losses for Manchester City, Arsenal and Spurs in their first legs before we took to the pitch.

One of those – Arsenal – progressed in the Champions League at the group stage at the expense of Napoli who missed out by a whisker but the Swans didn’t sit back and show respect to that part they continued their natural game and took it to their visitors with great success.

The tactic was praised after the game by former professionals who recognised the quality of the play on a night when we were unlucky not to leave with a lead to take into the second leg and a lead by a few goals as well.

So it was little wonder that Monk was full of praise for his side after the game when he said “We should have had more, but what a performance from us,

“They are one of the top teams in Europe.

“I said to the players afterwards ‘wow’. If they can do that against them, then they can do it against anyone. It’s a great confidence boost for the players.

“The only disappointment is we didn’t get a goal. We deserved at least a couple of goals.

“There was some fantastic goalkeeping and maybe we needed to be a bit more clinical, but apart from that, the boys were magnificent.”

Monk will take his side into the next game on Sunday – away at Liverpool – knowing that confidence must be at a season long high but also knowing that he must have one eye on next week’s second leg in Naples as well as the all important challenge of picking up more Premier League points.

“We have nothing to lose when we go there. The pressure is on them.

“The good thing is they have to win. We will go over there and compete with them. It will be a great experience for everyone at the club.

“To be in with a shout, that’s all we can ask for in this competition.”