Caretaker Alan Curtis wants Swansea to go back to basics
Swansea have reverted to their passing principles to try and escape relegation trouble, says caretaker manager Alan Curtis.
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."
West Brom head coach Tony Pulis has warned James McClean he must learn to cut out acts of stupidity.
The boss believes his winger will now be watched closely by referees after his red card against Bournemouth last week.
McClean chopped Adam Smith down in retaliation for a 50-50 challenge just 10 seconds previously and is now banned for three games.
And Pulis feels the Republic of Ireland international let himself down after he spoke to him following a rash tackle on Mousa Dembele - which boss Mauricio Pochettino called an "orange card" - when Albion faced Tottenham in their previous home game.
He said: "We talked to James after the Tottenham game. That was a rash challenge. So for him to do it two games later, irrespective of whether the full-back had just done him or not, is just stupid.
"I have had a good chat with him and he understands. He's a good lad. It was just the fact that that challenge came so quickly after the challenge on him. That mist was still there. He's got to wash that away because it's just petulance and we can't afford that.
"He's got to realise that now that people will be aware. If he makes a mistake the next time he's going to get punished."
Salomon Rondon was also sent off in the 2-1 defeat against the Cherries, for kicking out and pushing his head into Dan Gosling, and will miss three games along with McClean, starting with Boxing Day's trip to Swansea.
But despite the red cards Pulis dismissed suggestions the Baggies had any issues.
He added: "Our disciplinary record is good so far. We've only had one player suspended so far and that was Claudio Yacob for five yellow cards, and he can get five yellow cards in training, nevermind in games. The team has been exceptionally well behaved in lots of games."
Source: PAR
