Wednesday 9 December 2015 17:58, UK
Where did it all go wrong for Garry Monk at Swansea? Adam Bate takes a look at the factors...
One win in 12 told its own tale. But beneath that headline statistic, there has been confusion. Brendan Rodgers left for Liverpool. Michael Laudrup's fondness for shopping trips to Paris helped explain away his faltering finale to life at the Liberty Stadium. Garry Monk seemed to be different.
Nobody, for instance, dared question his work ethic. Indeed, if there was a concern it would be that he worried too much rather than not enough. Those piercing eyes and steely intensity hinted at 5am starts and a voracious appetite to be the best that he could be.
There's a seriousness to Monk that continues to demand respect. It wasn't long ago that he looked the most compelling candidate to be England's next manager and his methods were duly being assessed with something approaching awe.
Journalists were despatched to study his pre-season training techniques and the 'snoozeboxes' that allowed players to stay on site in the interim period between the squad's four double sessions every week. "Every single yard, every single minute of that training session counts," said Monk.
Intensity was in fashion then. Now it's Claudio Ranieri and his easy-going brand of cheer that's become the template for success. In the past, Monk has been open about regarding Jose Mourinho as an inspiration but the two men have endured similarly difficult experiences this season.
In both cases, it's been new to them and the playbook when problems mount is limited. Monk opted for the 'showdown talks' card after a draw with Bournemouth. "I sat down with the players and had good discussions with them on how we go forward and what we need to do to improve," he said.
I sat down with the players and had good discussions with them on how we go forward and what we need to do to improve. It's not an easy process but it was definitely a step in the right direction.
"It's not an easy process but it was definitely a step in the right direction. We talked about many things, we talked about the situation and said: 'Let's be open and honest about it.' I think the whole team stepped up and turned a corner."
Monk took comfort in the initial response as Swansea seemed organised in a 1-0 loss at Liverpool. But the subsequent 3-0 home defeat to Leicester on Saturday was as bad as it's been for the Swans. Goals conceded from set-pieces, counter-attacks and open play pointed to a myriad of problems.
Defensively, Monk's men were picked apart. At the other end of the pitch, it's been little more encouraging. Swansea have failed to find the net in seven of the last 11 games and are barely shooting, let alone scoring. No Premier League team has had fewer shots on target since September.
It's in times such as these that speculation grows and even the smallest things can be perceived as sinister. Why was assistant Pep Clotet, recently liked with the Brentford job, not a more vocal presence on the touchline? Were these players really playing for their manager?
Neil Ashton, host of Sunday Supplement, claimed last month that there were some in the dressing room "irritated their manager takes too much credit when Swansea win" but there are other potential reasons for motivational issues too.
Ahead of his first full season in charge, Monk set his players the target of attaining their best points tally - one which they duly achieved. Bettering it might have been seen as unrealistic and some of the team's key players could be forgiven if their priorities have been skewed in 2015/16.
Swansea captain Ashley Williams is planning to lead his country into their historic first ever European Championship next season. Neil Taylor hopes to be in the defence with him, while Gylfi Sigurdsson will be expending physical and mental energy ahead of Iceland's unlikely appearance in France too.
If that casts Monk as a victim of circumstance, other complaints were more damning. Mistakes had been made. Jefferson Montero lit up the division in the early weeks but was then axed, while Nathan Dyer's loan move to Leicester has become a source of embarrassment.
The decision to put faith in Bafetimbi Gomis as Wilfried Bony's replacement appeared flawed. Not only has the Frenchman gone 12 games without a goal but his hold-up play is limited. Sigurdsson is less influential without the lay-offs, with Gomis preferring Jonjo Shelvey's raking balls over the top.
This inclination for a different approach forms part of an overarching theme. It's not just a matter of personnel. There have been question marks over the team's style of play and a gradual movement away from the methods that brought Swansea such success.
Monk was keen to talk of the club philosophy, one he's well placed to know better than most, but his time in charge marked a shift in emphasis. Swansea's possession numbers were down below 50 per cent last season - their lowest since being promoted to the top flight.
Last season, training-ground work on a box defence as well as the high press succeeded in making Swansea seem more balanced. But for some it has felt like regression. Possession numbers are up again this term but the ball has not being moved with pace and, shorn of confidence, it's proved a struggle.
It's tough to play passing football and even harder when out of vogue and under pressure. The contrast with Leicester was one of confidence rather than class. Most worryingly, there was only one team with an obvious identity to their game. Swansea look to have lost what made them so special.
In this age of philosophies, Monk's remains unclear. Was he the corrective influence steering Swansea towards a more effective style of play after an over-emphasis on sterile passing, or was his success merely temporary as he undid rather than built upon the work of his predecessors?
Swansea chairman Huw Jenkins has taken the opportunity to shape that long-term narrative out of Monk's hands. He insists the decision was a reluctant one and given Monk's obvious determination and commitment to the club that's the least that the departing coach could expect. Whether it's also the right decision will depend on what Swansea - and Monk - do next.
Swansea v West Ham is live on Sky Sports 1 HD on December 20
