Caretaker Alan Curtis wants Swansea to go back to basics

One win in 13 games has left Swansea in the bottom three of the Barclays Premier League ahead of West Brom's Boxing Day visit to the Liberty Stadium.

This dramatic slump cost Garry Monk his job two weeks ago and, while the search for a permanent manager goes on, Curtis has steadied the ship in the last two games with improved displays, if not results.

Swansea suffered an agonising 2-1 injury-time defeat at Manchester City before fighting out a goalless home draw with West Ham, and Curtis feels the upturn in performances is down to a squad which finished eighth last season going back to basics.

"We've tried to strip it back a bit, we lost it for whatever reason and the identity that served us so well we fell away from," Curtis said.

"We have to go back to the basics of passing to another white shirt, move again and look for the next pass.

"If that's a simple game, that's what we want.

"We've had criticism of the way we've played but it's small steps and getting back to a possession-based game.

"We've done that in the last two games and, if we continue to go back to principles that have taken us to this level and allowed us to prosper, then I'm sure we can start winning games."

Swansea slipped into the relegation zone for the first time in nearly two years last weekend when Norwich moved out of the bottom three following their shock win at Manchester United

Curtis' side failed to respond with victory against West Ham 24 hours later but the former Wales international insisted that had nothing to do with the pressure of being in the relegation places.

"It's only been one game and the way we played showed there was no nervousness or edge to it," Curtis said.

"The crowd responded and they have a huge part to play because any nerves can go from the stand to the players.

"But we haven't felt it and against West Ham the players played freely and expressed themselves.

"There was no hint of any nervousness and now I'm working closer with these players I'm even more convinced that we can climb the table."

The bad news for Swansea, however, is that they are bottom of the Premier League form table over the last seven matches with two draws and five defeats.

And Swansea fans have not witnessed a home victory since Manchester United were beaten at the Liberty Stadium at the end of August to take them into the top four

"Sooner or later we have to start winning games," Curtis said

"Look at our ratio of wins to games and it's no wonder we're in the bottom three.

"But the players are comfortable with our style and we do feel a win is around the corner and the results can come."

Source : PA

Source: PA