Swansea boss feeling pinch ahead of pivotal Cherries test
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Garry Monk may rightly feel aggrieved over mounting speculation regarding his Swansea future, but the under-pressure manager is in a results-based business and of late his have simply not been good enough.
The Swans have won just a single one of their last nine games in all competitions – against rock-bottom Aston Villa in the Premier League – and although Monk insists relations with chairman Huw Jenkins are “great”, patience may yet be at a premium in south Wales.
A bright start to the season has quickly been forgotten at the Liberty Stadium, with a 1-0 loss at Norwich prior to the international break adding to the anguish of a 3-0 home hammering by Arsenal.
Despite Monk’s protestations that “outside influences” are responsible for the notion his job is actually on the line heading into a pivotal-looking clash against back-pedaling Bournemouth, the odds don’t look good for the Englishman.
Ladbrokes make the former Swansea defender the stand alone 1/3 favourite to be the next Premier League manager to leave, before the top flight resumes with the Welsh side in 14th.
The identity of the the Swans’ next opponents could be key to punters cashing in on this price.
In one respect Monk will be glad of the opportunity to beat a lesser team at the Liberty Stadium to restore some perspective, but the other side to that coin is very dark indeed.
A defeat at home to Eddie Howe’s freefalling Cherries and the clamour to change tack may grow so loud even the reputedly affable Jenkins may have seen enough.
Things are hanging on a knife edge for Monk, which seems mightily unfair considering he steered the Swans to their record Premier League points tally last season.
However, as Brendan Rodgers’ recent sacking demonstrates, memories in football are getting shorter and shorter.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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