Everton v Swansea City - 1st Nov 2014 - 3pm

Everton FC v Swansea City: Wales Online reporter Chris Wathan gives his views ahead of Saturday's game at Goodison Park

We spoke to the Wales Online's Chris Wathan to get the lowdown on the Blues' opponents and find out where the game will be won and lost


Roberto Martinez and Garry Monk

Everton FC will hope to continue their recent momentum with a home clash with Swansea City on Saturday.

Swansea themselves have impressed observers this season, with manager Garry Monk in his first full season at the Welsh club.

We spoke to Wales Online's Chris Wathan to get the lowdown on Saturday's big game.

How do you expect Swansea to line up on Saturday?
As Swansea always do and have done by and large since a certain Roberto Martinez made his mark as manager: a 4-2-3-1. Lukasz Fabianski will return to goal after being rested for the League Cup game at Liverpool, the back four will be unchanged following the - correct - decision to overturn Federico Fernandez's Anfield red card. Ki Sung-Yueng is likely to shake off a shoulder worry to anchor the midfield with Jonjo Shelvey, the influential Leon Britton still out, and Gylfi Sigurdsson should put aside a slight groin concern to play as the attacking tip. I expect Jefferson Montero to keep his place out wide with Wayne Routledge and the in-form Wilfried Bony up front. So that's Fabianski; Rangel, Fernandez, Williams(Capt), Taylor; Ki, Shelvey; Montero, Sigurdsson, Routledge; Bony.

What has Garry Monk done differently this season to propel them up the table?
It's more a case of sticking to his guns from the end of last season. Bringing back Ki from his loan exile at Sunderland has been rewarded with some superb performances, likewise Sigurdsson is born to play the No.10 role for Swansea to prove what an excellent decision it was to bring him back from Spurs. The style remains, there is more organisation, but it's the work on the training ground that has brought the intensity back which was lacking at times under Michael Laudrup, especially in the latter part of his reign. Monk learned at the knee of Martinez and Brendan Rodgers, both of whom know the importance of the fine details on a daily basis give you the rewards on a weekly one.

Are Swansea proud of what Martinez has achieved at Everton, or is there resentment there?
There was an upset when Roberto initially left for Wigan for some of his past comments - specifically the one that said he would have to be kicked out of Swansea - but that was buried after the first meeting as opponents where frustration was vented.That brought some closure and since fans have rightly hailed what he did for the club, both as a player and a manager. Of course there are some who will have a wry smile at any mishaps but in the vast majority there is a pride that the 'Swansea Way' is bringing success at Goodison, in a similar way to Rodgers across the park. Roberto played a massive part in making Swansea what they are today and while fans and former teammates will hope to have the last laugh today, there's no animosity by any stretch of the imagination.

Just why haven't Dyer or Routledge been called up for the England squad?
I think that one's best directed to Roy Hodgson. You could argue there's a small club bias - Shelvey, after all, had been already called up and has his Liverpool background - but more fool England. Dyer has been in good form but Routledge has been arguably better. Age might count against Routledge but perhaps the biggest question over the years is why Leon Britton hasn't been called up. There has been a lot of talk of England wanting to play a different way, to be more comfortable in possession, and you'd struggle to find a player who can make that happen more than Britton. The ship has probably sailed at 32 but that's England's loss - just ask Roberto (who, incidentally, used to room with Britton). Still, it's fair to say Swansea fans aren't too fussed if the old enemy aren't picking up good players.

How good could Wilfried Bony become?
As good as he wants to be. He has all the attributes and has the right appetite to make those count. He can be unplayable on his day and it's something of a surprise no-one followed up their summer interest in him. How long Swansea can keep hold of him is another matter but he's the perfect striker for Swansea's game.

Prediction?
Swansea broke their Everton hoodoo with that League Cup win a month back but getting a first league win at Goodison is another matter. 1-1 I think.


Oct 31, 2014 12:00 By Kristian Walsh