Premier League Preview: Swansea City

Last Season: 12th

Pre-Season Prediction: 10th - Without the added pressure of the Europa League, Swansea are in for an easier season. Will certainly have been pleased to emerge as the dominant Welsh club.

Swansea City made their European debut last year and, although they obviously enjoyed it, suffered as a result in the League. Only once did the Swans win back-to-back matches and, although they were never right in the thick of the relegation battle, they were hovering dangerously close towards the back end of the season and will be keen to ensure that this doesn't happen again. With Laudrup long gone, all eyes will be on club legend Garry Monk this year. Monk was handed a full managerial contract after keeping the side up last season and will be eager to impress as the League's current youngest manager.

Monk's first test has been managing the squad through the transfer window and has suffered with the loss of a number of important squad players. Both Michel Vorm and Ben Davies departed to Spurs whilst Chico and Pablo Hernandez also left to play in Qatar. Michu has also travelled to Napoli on loan after a disappointing season. Monk has acted quickly to replace these departed players, with Fabianski replacing Vorm and Sigurdsson returning for Hernandez. Ashley Williams will return to the starting line-up in place of Ben Davies whilst Marvin Emnes and Bafetimbi Gomis provide an injection of power to the front line. Jefferson Montero is a new addition on the wing and will provide a huge boost of pace.

That said, Monk's side still has a number of gaps yet to fill. Another defensive midfielder to slot into his 4-2-3-1 formation is vital. The Swans also look somewhat light at the back and could use another defender or two to provide plenty of protection for Fabianski. Their main aim before the end of the transfer window though, will be to ensure they keep hold of talisman striker Wilfried Bony. Bony netted 25 in all competitions in his debut season and is on the radar of a number of Premier League clubs. Monk has to ensure he is still there when the window slams shut.

Form has been difficult to come by in pre-season for the Swans, with three victories in seven mirrored by three losses and also a draw. Some solid results against Reading and Plymouth were compounded by losses to Villareal and Bournemouth although Monk will not mind so much after a marvellous opening day victory against Louis Van Gaal's Manchester United. Monk guided his team to a 2-1 victory which will give the team heaps of confidence as they progress in the coming weeks.

Swansea's early victory already proves that they will be more of a force than last year. Without their mid-week travels around Europe they will be fresher and with their summer acquisitions will be more of a danger going forward. Monk is obviously learning all the time and it will be intersting to see how he copes should Swansea go on a bad run, but all the signs seem to be pointing towards a return to their form from a couple of years ago. One thing I would almost guarantee is that we will not see Swansea near the relegation zone.

Key Man: Wilfried Bony - The important of the Ivorian cannot be overstated as he is a clinical goal-scoring machine. Questions are always asked of strikers with big figures arriving from Holland after the failures of the likes of Alfonso Alves and Majeta Kezman but Bony answered them superbly, growing throughout the season to eventually net 16 League goals. In a free-flowing offensive system such as Swansea's, Bony should profit again for a second season, and if he stays then do not be surprised to see him eclipse this mark.

One to Watch: Jefferson Montero - The Ecuadorian is a new arrival at the Liberty Stadium but has already shown has capabilities after coming off of the bench to terrorise Phil Jones against Manchester United on Saturday.  The left-winger has blistering pace and has demonstrated it fully both in pre-season and on Saturday but will need to bring more than that to his game if he is to be a success. Pace is one thing but the Ecuadorian needs to prove he has a good football brain to go with it if he is to really make a name for himself in the Premier League.

Best Signing: Bafetimbi Gomis - The powerful Frenchman may find himself with a pivotal job to play in the south of Wales should his Ivorian strike partner depart but for now will be feeling relaxed as the current back-up striker. With ten goals or more in each of his last eight seasons, Gomis is a potent finisher with a fairly clean injury record and has been eagerly anticipated now by Premier League fans for a number of years after his on-off transfer to Newcastle. If he gets a run in the first team then do not be surprised to see him rustling the back of the opposition net.