Swansea City: Team changes paid off, says boss Garry Monk

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Media caption,

Hull 0-1 Swansea: Garry Monk praises Ki Sung-Yeung

Swansea City manager Garry Monk has defended leaving top scorer Wilfried Bony out of the 1-0 win at Hull City.

Monk made seven changes to his squad for the trip to the KC Stadium, with Bafetimbi Gomis starting instead of Bony.

Gylfi Sigurdsson, Leon Britton and winger Jefferson Montero were also rested.

"I knew making those changes that people would question it but I was very confident in the group," said Monk.

"We have such a busy period coming up and, if you play the same 11 players in that period, that's suicide for me.

"We haven't got the biggest squad, but we have got quality.

Image source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Ki Sung-Yueng of Swansea City celebrates scoring their goal at Hull City with team-mates Jonjo Shelvey and Bafi Gomis

"We have a way of working where everyone understands what their roles are so I had no problem putting different players in those positions.

"I trust them and I think that trust was shown in the game.

"Some of them haven't had a hell of a lot of game time, but all credit to them, they dug in and got the result which is what it's all about."

The Swans will be without Bony in January when he is due to play for Ivory Coast at January's African Nations Cup.

His replacement Gomis hit the post during the win against Hull and Monk was pleased with his performance.

"Obviously we're coming up to a period where Bony will go to the African Cup of Nations and Bafi [Gomis] needs game time," said Monk.

"That was behind my decision and I thought Bafi did very well.

"He's a very good striker and could have got a couple of goals.

"Those minutes will help him hit the ground running when January comes and Bony goes away."

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