Sousa tinkering must stop - Walsh

Last updated : 11 April 2010 By BBC Sport

Ex-Swansea and Wales striker Ian Walsh says his old club's manager Paulo Sousa must make consistent selections to keep his play-off hopes alive.Sousa made three changes to the side that brushed aside Scunthorpe 3-0 for the visit to Bristol City, where a late Nicky Maynard goal sunk them 1-0.

Only Blackpool's defeat kept the Swans in sixth place, two points above Pool.

"Tiredness shouldn't be an issue with three games left, you have to play your most potent side," Walsh told the BBC.

"There was a good 3-0 win on Monday when the midfield played well and Shefki Kuqi got his goal up front.

Sousa rues lack of Swans goals

"All of a sudden, five days later he's changing players out there - that has to end.

"I'd like to know why Leon Britton is not involved. For me, he holds together the midfield - and that area didn't function against Bristol.

"It was a very tired, jaded performance. Swansea have to play their best side if they are to get to those play-off positions."

Sousa and his squad insisted they must remain positive, despite what midfielder Joe Allen described as the "sickening" defeat at the Robins.

"We're playing really well, it just hasn't translated into goals," goalkeeper Dorus de Vries told BBC Sport Wales.

We've achieved an important level in the table and everyone's ambitions have become a little bit higher

Paulo Sousa

"But if you keep playing well good things will come.

"It was a big blow to lose, especially because we were coming off the back of a great result that we wanted to build on.

"We have to bounce back, it's as simple as that. As always we will look at the positives - we're at home next and that will help us after this."

Sousa added: "We are still there and need to keep belief in our quality, talent and team spirit to the end.

"We have three games and need to push very hard to keep our position.

"Fans can be a little bit worried because we've achieved an important level in the table and everyone's ambitions have become a little bit higher.

"We will keep fighting and have the possibility in every game to win the game."

Source: BBC Sport

Source: BBC Sport