Premier League: Swansea manager Garry Monk hails tactics in win at Southampton

Swansea manager Garry Monk says his side got their tactics “spot on” as they beat Southampton 1-0 at St Mary’s on Sunday.

Jonjo Shelvey’s late strike gave the visitors all three points in a game which the hosts dominated possession but couldn’t breach the Swans’ resilient defence.

The win halted a run of four games without victory for the Welsh side, and Monk believes their approach to the game was justified.

“I think we deserved it in the end,” he said. “I thought tactically we had a good gameplan and we stuck to it.

“Yes, there were going to be moments where we had to defend and put bodies on the line, but I think overall we frustrated them and when we had our chances we took them. All in all I think we can be happy with the three points – we’re back on track.

“We understood that we were going to concede the lion’s share of possession. We had a plan to come into the game and work our shape and work behind, get back to basics, keep the ball when we could and then break on them when we could.

“I think you saw that, especially in the second half. They were trying to push, which we knew they would, for the goal and we caught them. I think tactically we got it spot on today. The boys deserve those three points.”

Character

The Swans are entering a key period of their season with three of their next four games against teams in the bottom seven, and Monk believes Sunday’s victory was both a reward for their efforts and a platform to build on.

“It shows the character we’ve got,” he said. “It shows the way we’ve worked this season and an understanding of the work I’m trying to give the players tactically and physically, and possession-wise.

“It was about getting back on track – it was always going to be a difficult period for us this month. It has been, it’s proved that, but we’ve got great character in that changing room and a great belief in what we’re doing, and now we’re looking to push on for the second half on the season.”