Alan Sheehan: Swansea City head coach explains his ideal style

While it is still early in the season, Sheehan’s new-look group appear capable – at the very least – of competing in the second tier.

Swansea are certainly not among the clubs fancied to compete for automatic promotion, but there is a feeling that they could have a say in this season’s play-off race.

“I can see the improvement that they’ve made, and they’ll be a force in this league, no doubt,” Chris Davies suggested after his Birmingham City side condemned Swansea to only a second defeat of the season last weekend.

Do Davies’ comments suggest a shift in the way rival clubs are viewing Swansea?

“Potentially,” Sheehan said. “I think we have been in every game so far this season – there are very fine margins. Should we have more points? I believe so.

“But I believe we will get more points. I think we are simmering, as I said the other week. I think we are getting there but we are competitive in every game.

“I do think teams know that it is not going to be an easy game against us.”

As a result, Sheehan suggests, more opponents are setting up defensive blocks to combat Swansea rather than “jumping” to press his side high up the pitch.

“That is what we are seeing now,” Sheehan added.

“That’s where we have to go from slow to fast better and be a bit cleaner.

“Some of our play at Birmingham was exceptional – we created opportunities to win the game. That’s the next bit, being more clinical and being more ruthless in the final third while staying compact defensively.”