Andre Ayew should start up front instead of Wayne Routledge

Playing Andre Ayew wide in midfield shows Swansea City are still trying to put square pegs in round holes.

The Ghana international slotted into Swansea's engine room diamond after Ki Sung-Yueng was forced off injured against West Brom last week.

And he started there when Crystal Palace visited the Liberty four days later.

As I wrote a couple of weeks ago, no player is bigger than the side so you must select the best unit, not try to accommodate good individuals out of position.

Ayew is a central, forward player and if the decision is not to select him in that area then he shouldn't play at all.

All season Swansea have been using players in unaccustomed roles, and that has affected the balance of the side.

Ayew was deployed on the wing early on as Swansea struggled to fit him into the side.

Garry Monk did a similar fudging job in trying to play Gylfi Sigurdsson and Jonjo Shelvey alongside each other.

The pair of them should never have played together because they are too similar.

Monk needed to be brave and chose between them instead of trying to hedge his bets.

Shelvey's presence stifled Sigurdsson because they want to do similar things and occupy the same space.

I'm convinced the former Liverpool man's departure to Newcastle is a major reason for Sigurdsson's resurgence in form.

The two were treading on each other's toes before, while now the Icelander can thrive in that No.10 role, without another attacking midfielder getting in the way.

Sigurdsson has scored five goals in his last six games so looks to be getting back to his best.

I also think selecting Ayew on the wing contributed to Sigurdsson's struggles because the former Marseille man kept drifting in from the flank.

That created congestion in the middle, where Sigurdsson was operating.

Ayew was playing in an even more unfamiliar role against Palace, on one side of the midfield diamond.

He should never be selected there.

If Francesco Guidolin does not want to pick Ayew in a central forward position then, as good as he's been this season, the lad will have to make do with a place on the bench.

Personally, I would always find a place for Ayew up front because I think he's that good.

And I think there is an easy way to fit him into the current Swansea side.

He should start instead of Wayne Routledge when Southampton visit.

I thought Routledge did pretty well when the Eagles were in town five days ago.

He was neat and tidy and did the basics well.

But he is no more a central attacker than Ayew is a winger.

It seems obvious to me that Ayew should start up front behind Alberto Paloschi if Guidloin sets up in a similar way against the Saints this weekend.

That leaves a spot in midfield to fill.

There aren't that many contenders for that so I'd go with new signing Leroy Fer.