Monk not surprised Ayew has hit the ground running

Swansea manager Gary Monk says he is not surprised by the instant impact made by Andre Ayew to his team as they prepare for their first game after the international break.

The Swans are away to Watford this weekend as they look to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.

Ayew has been highly instrumental for Garry Monk’s side – forming a formidable attacking trio with Bafetimbi Gomis and Jefferson Montero.

Both Ayew and Gomis have been nominated for the league’s Player of the Month with Monk also gunning for the Manager of the Month.

Ayew who arrived as a free agent from Olympique Marseille has taken the Premiership by storm and Monk insists he is least surprised due to his profile and the talented crop of players he’s joined.

“I am not surprised [about the impact made by Ayew], I think he is coming into a good group,” Monk said.

“We’ve got good talents and a good group of players and it has always been a part of our make up here at the club where new players are welcomed very quickly and made to settle quickly to try to give them the best opportunity to produce their best football straightaway.

“And I think he saw straightaway when he came into the group – the condition that all the players were in and the intelligence within him and the way we were working straightaway from pre-season. He was going to buy into that straightaway.

“Obviously I have prepped him before how it is here, how we work and how we go about things and how our mentality is. He’s been excellent.

“He’s a leader as well and which is great. For someone that is young as well to be so mature, I think that is a good influence on our group as well to bring that experience he’s had.

“He’s had World Cups, had Champions League football, he’s played at high level so to bring that experience and share that with the group as well I think has been invaluable for us.”

Ayew has scored three in four Premier League games already for Swansea including the epic equalizer on his debut against champions Chelsea.