Swansea V AFC Bournemouth at Liberty Stadium: LIVE

21 November 2015 10:17
Swansea V AFC Bournemouth - view commentary, squad, and statistics of the game live.

Garry Monk promises show of unity against Swansea

Garry Monk has promised a show of unity from his players as Swansea attempt to get their season back on track against Bournemouth.

Swansea's alarming slump in form has brought only one win in nine games and put manager Monk's position under increasing scrutiny.

The Swans were filling a Champions League place after beating Manchester United at the end of August, but nearly three months on they find themselves down in 14th and only five points above Saturday's Liberty Stadium visitors, who occupy the final relegation spot.

It is a slide which has prompted some reports that Monk, who last season led Swansea to their best-ever Premier League finish of eighth with a record points total, is close to the sack.

But Monk has dismissed that speculation as being caused by "outside influences" and says his only focus is on reviving the team's fortunes.

"It's important we show our unity, character and strength, and that comes from myself and the players," Monk said.

"They're determined to put it right as much as I am and the club is, and I think you'll see that unity from the group.

"They've been really confident and focused in training this week, and that's what they'll show on Saturday.

"There's a great attitude from the players to put this back on track, they are a committed group and I expect to see a reaction."

Monk has a fully-fit squad to choose from but Monk will assess how Andre Ayew, Ki Sung-yueng and Jefferson Montero have recovered from international duty.

Leon Britton, Wayne Routledge and Eder could all be considered.

Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe will not panic and change his style of football despite four straight defeats in the Premier League.

The Cherries, who have been hit hard by injuries, have not won since beating Sunderland at the end of September and slipped into the bottom three after losing at home to Newcastle before the international break.

But Howe is determined to stick by his principles of an expansive game, insisting that an about turn now may do more harm than good.

"We are not going to change our ideals and our way of working and our way of playing for various reasons," he said.

"For one, we have players who are very good technically, and that have been used to working for three years with me and to suddenly wake up one day and say we are going to change things totally wouldn't be beneficial.

"And also when you're working and telling players to improve and work and to learn one way of playing to suddenly throw that in the bin and learn another way of playing it undoes all the hard work you have done."

Howe has a decision to make up front as Glenn Murray returns from injury after being substituted at half-time in their game against Southampton and did not feature in the Cherries' 1-0 loss to Newcastle.

Mark Pugh is also available to return to the squad following a knock but Howe is still without Tyrone Mings (knee), Max Gradel (knee), Callum Wilson (knee), Christian Atsu (shin) and Tommy Elphick (ankle).

Source: PAR