Planet Swans ArchivesMonk was sad to see one of his team mates disappear from the Liberty Stadium especially one who was voted by his peers into the PFA League One team of the year. The Swansea captain also received that honour and knows just how much of a blow that could be to the Swans and he warns that too many departures and it could make the job much harder next season than it already is.
Monk himself is in talks with the club over a new deal – he has already activated a one year extension but the club want to take that further – and he admits that he is gutted to see Robbo leave the club but is not surprised to see interest in his team mates after the season that the club just had.
Speaking in today's Western Mail, the captain said “Obviously I am gutted he has gone, he was a massive player for us, not just on the pitch but in terms of the character he was off it as well.
“His enthusiasm was just infectious and he was always one of the loudest players in the changing room.
“We want to keep the best players at this club,
“The squad is really strong as a unit and, if we keep it together, that collective strength will be vital next season.
“The important thing is that we keep the nucleus of this squad in Swansea. Obviously there will be some good acquisitions, but we don’t need wholesale changes.
“We have been together for a year and that togetherness can get us through the step-up to a higher level. That’s why it is so important the core of this squad remains put.”
He continued: “The key to next season is starting well. We can’t afford to be playing catch-up.
“It won’t be like last season where people had time to adjust. People won’t have the luxury of being able to find their feet.
“If you take time to gel as a squad in the Championship, you will get punished. We have to avoid that.
“The gaffer will probably be looking for four or five players,” Monk said. “But that depends on who leaves.
“We have got a good chance in the Championship anyway when you think of the squad we already have here. But you have got to protect yourselves.
“The gaffer is always going to want to improve the squad. His record suggests he will be able to do that.”
“We knew people would come in with bids for the likes of Ferrie. But the players here want us to keep hold of him,” he said. “He gives us a different dimension and he has really helped us to get where we are. We need players like that to help us progress and make sure we don’t take a step backwards.
“He is not the only one. Players like (Angel) Rangel and Scotland are always going to generate interest as well. But it’s Swansea’s job to keep them here.”
