VIEW FROM THE ENEMY: Swansea fan on admiring Phil Jones and United winning the league

In preparation for the 2014-15 season, The Republik of Mancunia has spoken to fans of all the clubs in the Premier League about last season, next season, their own clubs and their thoughts on United.

Chris Carra writes for Forza Swansea. Follow @ForzaSwansea on Twitter. He has also written a book, Swansea City Greatest Games.

Scott: How did you rate 2013-14 for Swansea?

Chris: A mixed bag as I’m sure most Swans fans would agree. It started great with the destruction of Valencia in the Mestalla before things turned sour in the Premier League towards Christmas, with Michael Laudrup leaving in February. Monk came in and looked to turn things around initially, but he struggled after that. A mid-table finish was great going in the end.

Scott: Who was your best performing player?

Chris: Wilfried Bony without a doubt. His vital goals kept the club afloat and for much of the season he was one of the only players in form. He started slow, but when he got going everyone took notice.

Scott: Which player are you expecting to be most important for you in 2014-15?

Chris: Risking sounding like a broken record, Wilfried Bony. If we keep him, he will hopefully once again provide the end product to all the nice passing in the centre of the pitch. Otherwise Jefferson Montero looks like he could be very handy on the wing.

Scott: Are you happy with your manager?

Chris: Probably… Personally I would rather have seen Garry Monk hang up his boots and spend a bit of time learning the trade under a more experienced tactician. He may be out of his depth in the Premier League, but fans will be more forgiving of him if that’s the case. But I tend to be wrong with these things. He will probably take us to our highest ever finish and win the FA Cup!

Scott: What do you think your Swansea will achieve this season?

Chris: I reckon we are heading for another mid-table finish, possibly in the top ten. An FA Cup run would be nice, but I think most fans will want full focus on the Premier League.

Scott: Are you happy with Swansea’s performance in the transfer window this summer?

Chris: Generally yes – some great players have been added to the club while some of the deadwood brought in by Laudrup has been removed. There is very little depth in defence though. I’d say at least two defenders need to arrive before the transfer window slams shut.

Scott: If you could have one United player, who would it be?

Chris: As we are after a defender I will say Phil Jones.

Scott: Can you believe United were as bad as they were last season?

Chris: No, I was pretty surprised. But I guess it was never going to be an easy ride after Fergie left. You think I would have stopped putting them into my accumulator by Christmas, but I never learnt…

Scott: How do you expect United to perform this season?

Chris: Much better. Van Gaal seems to be a brilliant manager, while your team looks a little fresher and more of a unit.

Scott: Who do you think will win the league?

Chris: It could well be United, with no European football to negotiate. Otherwise Chelsea are looking good. Or Swansea maybe. Or maybe not.