Garry Monk has had a pretty good summer by the standards of any football manager having led his side to a record breaking finish in his first full season of management last time around.

He must be thinking that this football management lark is relatively simple with league doubles last term over Arsenal and Manchester United and an eight placed finish.

That was always going to mean that there was likely to be interest in our players and so it proved with Fabianski, Shelvey, Williams, Dyer and others linked with a move away from the club.

But the Swans held onto their stars and with the new season starting tomorrow we are now in a position to know that we can push on from last season especially with the four new additions to the squad and Monk has his own theory as to why he has managed to hold onto his players.

“I'd be lying if I said it's not in the back of your mind when you have a good season - but I was never worried," he said.

“The players have good contracts, have a good way of living down here and it's a great club to be at.

“And finishing where we did last year means there's not a lot of options for them to step upwards. They see that and know it and that's why they are committed.

“Plus, how we did last season gives them motivation to show they can improve and go forward which is our drive for the season.”

Photo: Action Images via Reuters