On the opening day of the season, when Swansea City recorded a victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford, the focus was not on the winning team.

The focus surrounding the home team, and their new manager, and how they have got off to the worst possible start. In reality, this should have been a sign of things to come. Have we underestimated Swansea?

The Swans are currently sitting in 8th place in the Premier League. With a five point gap between Swansea and Stoke, that is where they will finish. Eighth place also happens to be their highest finish in the Premier League to date. Swansea’s achievements are somewhat down to the big victories they have recorded this season.

They went on to do the double over Manchester United (beating them at home and away), they got a result at Saint Mary’s over a very much in form Southampton, and they did the double over Arsenal. Swansea’s dramatic win at the Emirates slashed Arsenal’s hopes of going second, and showed once again how important Bafetimbi Gomis has been.

After losing Wilfried Bony to Manchester City in January, who the Premier League’s leading scorer in 2014, there was more concern for Bony’s future than Swansea’s. And the concern was justified. Swansea City are doing just fine without their former star striker. Bony’s departure made room for Gomis, who struggled to get a start before Bony left. Wilfried Bony is now in Gomis’s position over at the Etihad.

He has mainly been used as a substitute for the last two months, yet came on to score against his former side. Bony believes you are yet to see his best as a Manchester City player, which will happen next season. Bony has to get the minutes and impress next year unless he wants to be just another forgotten City ‘star’.

Credit has to be given to the Swans manager Garry Monk. Just a year ago, he was playing for them and now he has led them to their best league finish and points tally. Despite a lack of managerial experience, he has been one of the best this year.

He’s saddened by the fact that Swansea couldn’t snag a place in the Europa league, but what a season they have had regardless. How has he not been a recipient of the Manager of the Month award this season? He has to be a contender for the Manager of the Season award, even if he will have stiff competiton.

Things are moving in the right direction for Swansea City, who have proved their worth this year. To achieve so much despite the obstacles at hand is nothing short of incredible. All of this with a new manager, who deserves praise. They may not be challenging in Europe next season, but that can only benefit them.

If they keep developing and improving like they have done, they could challenge for the top six next season.

[ad_pod id=’ffc-video’ align=’center’]

[n5lbanner type=”generic”]