Swansea City: Alan Sheehan looks to build ‘foundations’ before focusing on style

Preston boss Paul Heckingbottom suggested afterwards that the “big difference” in Swansea under Sheehan is that they “pass the ball less” while playing with “high energy”.

Asked about Heckingbottom’s verdict, Sheehan said: “Interesting assessment. I think high energy is what you want to play. You want to have the ball at the right times but understand that there are two goals at either end of the field, so let’s not lose sight of what we want to do when we have the ball.

“Whether that takes one pass, five or 20, there are different ways to break down different oppositions.”

Sheehan added that he wants his team to have possession but “in the right areas”.

“I think it would be quite naïve of me… against a man-to-man press the other day on that kind of pitch, I think it would be adding pressure to the team, where we are at the moment and what we want to do, to try to play out,” he said.

“They (Preston) tried to do it once and we nearly scored. They didn’t do it much afterwards. I think there are certain games that you play in a different areas and different spaces.”