Monk relishes Swans underdog tag

Garry Monk has inspired Swansea to two promotions in four years

Swansea City skipper Garry Monk insists his Championship new boys will relish being written off as underdogs.

But Monk says last season's League One champions will not be cannon fodder for the big boys in their first season back in the second tier for 24 years.

"I think we'll be branded the underdogs for most of the games," said Monk.

"But that's the way we like it as we will use it to our advantage. I can guarantee you that no team will have an easy ride against us."

The Championship is crammed with quality teams and include many of British football's top-flight sides.

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In fact, the Swans are one of just eight of the 24 teams in this season's Championship that have not played in the Premier League since its inception in 1992.

But that holds no fear for Monk, who played in the Championship five years ago with Sheffield Wednesday, as the Welshman want to show the footballing world what Swansea can achieve.

"It will be enough motivation in itself for us to go out there and prove people wrong," said centre-back Monk.

"I can also guarantee you that we'll have enough skill and ability in the side to be right up there.''

The Swans kick off their Spain tour with a clash against La Liga giants Espanyol on Friday followed by three more games against Peralada, Palamos and Barcelona B.

Monk's men will undergo a gruelling schedule in Spain as they'll play four games in as many days.

But the former England Under-17 international said: "We had a good fitness week in Sweden and then a hard week back home in Swansea.

"This week's tour of Spain is more about tactical work and a bit more enjoyable because we've got four games where we should get our match fitness."