Skip to content

Premier League: Swansea win shows changes worth the risk for Garry Monk

Image: Bafetimbi Gomis: Will be Swansea's main striker in January

Garry Monk says he was forced to make changes to the Swansea team for the 1-0 win over Hull due to the Christmas fixture list.

The Swans boss made seven changes to his starting line-up, putting top scorer Wilfred Bony on the bench and starting Bafetimbi Gomis, while Gylfi Sigurdsson, Leon Britton and Jefferson Montero were all excused duty with minor fitness niggles.

Ahead of games with Aston Villa, Liverpool, QPR and Tranmere in the next fortnight, Monk made the decision to rest some players but still walked away with the points after Ki Sung-yueng deflected Jonjo Shelvey's shot goalwards.

He told Sky Sports: "I knew making those changes that people would question it but I was very confident in the group. We have such a busy period coming up and if you play the same 11 players in that period – that's suicide for me.

"We haven't got the biggest squad but we have got quality. We have a way of working where everyone understands what their roles are so I had no problem putting different players in those positions. I trust them and I think that trust was shown in the game.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Hull manager Steve Bruce admitted his side simply were not good enough in their defeat

"Some of them haven't had a hell of a lot of game time but all credit to them, they dug in and got the result which is what it's all about.”

With Bony due to represent the Ivory Coast at January's African Nations Cup, Gomis' elevation gave a hint of what Swansea fans can expect in January.

More from Hull City V Swansea

He was one of three players to hit the post, joining Shelvey and Hull wing-back Andy Robertson, and pleased Monk with his contribution.

"Obviously we're coming up to a period where Bony will go to the African Cup of Nations and Bafi needs game time. That was behind my decision and I thought Bafi did very well. He's a very good striker and could have got a couple of goals.

"Those minutes will help him hit the ground running when January comes and Bony goes away."

Around Sky