Newcastle Will Be "Tougher" Now Than In Previous Years, Believes Garry Monk

The Swansea boss is expecting a "tough" match-up this weekend.

By Chris Waugh /

Newcastle United will provide "tough" opposition and Swansea City's recent good record against the Magpies will bear no significance to this clash, believes Garry Monk. The Swans boss has admitted to being impressed both by Newcastle's appointment of Steve McClaren as head coach, as well as their recruitment this summer, and thinks that the fact the Magpies have lost five out of the past six encounters between the pair will bear no significance to this weekend's result. Georginio Wijnaldum, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Chancel Mbemba and Ivan Toney have all been added to the Magpies' squad during the current transfer window, additions that have impressed Monk.
And Monk believe Swansea will have to play just as well as they did in their 2-2 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge if they are to come out on top on Saturday (3pm). Speaking ahead of the game, Monk said:
"Steve (McClaren) is a very good and experienced manager. They (Newcastle) have added quality to the squad this summer and have always been a big club who can attract players. "Of course we've done well against Newcastle in the past but it's a new team there now, with a new manager - and we have to be ready and focused because we're expecting a tough game on Saturday."
Newcastle, meanwhile, opened their 2015-16 Barclays Premier League campaign with an entertaining 2-2 draw at home to Southampton. The Magpies impressed going forward, but continued to look susceptible defensively - particularly in the air. And Monk believes Swansea will have to be at their best to come out on top at the Liberty Stadium. He continued:
"I want us to set a standard of performance that we could take into the rest of the season (against Chelsea), and I think we achieved that. "We are not getting carried away, however, and there are certainly things we can improve on."
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