Leroy Fer insists Swansea City can continue their recent resurgence and paid tribute to manager Carlos Carvalhal for transforming an under-performing squad.
The Dutch midfielder has played in four of the Swans’ seven matches under Carvalhal after appearing to fall out of favour in the late stages of the Paul Clement era.
Fer played a significant role in the crucial 1-0 victory over Liverpool last week and is likely to earn another start for the next crunch task at home to Arsenal on Tuesday night.
If the Swans make it back-to-back Premier League victories, they could move out of the relegation zone – leaping from bottom spot to 17th and Fer says: “We have to keep it going now against Arsenal.
“It will be a different game than Liverpool, they play a different way. But they are a strong side with great players and a good manager.
“They have had ups and downs this season. They have lost some games, but they are strong team and we will need to be at our best to get another win.”
Fer believes both Carvalhal’s personality and his tactical adjustments on the training field have combined to revive the team’s recent fortunes.
The victory over Liverpool meant the Portuguese boss has collected two victories and a draw from his four League games in charge, with his only defeat coming against Tottenham.
“He has given us a defensive structure and organisation,” says Fer.
“He’s a lively coach who wants 100 per cent. He’s very lively – he’s Portuguese!
“But he’s also brought a different playing shape and attacking patterns. We train how we want to play in games.
“Against the big teams, the defensive work has to be extra. We have more structure now. But when we win the ball, we make the counter-attacks quickly. It’s something we train on a lot. He has given us extra energy.
“He came and said to everyone, ‘if you have problems, you can come to me.’ He’s an open person.
“Before he came in I wasn’t starting regularly. He told me I had abilities and told me to show them.”
The Swans have been linked with a number of potential new signings in the January transfer window, but as yet none have arrived.
Carvalhal remains optimistic that will change and Fer admits, new faces would improve their ability to climb out of the danger zone.
“It would help if new players came in. Last season, four new players came in and gave us that little bit extra.
“Whether they are sardines or lobsters? I don’t know. Probably sardines. Players have done well who fit to the Swansea family. It’s a family club.
“But whatever happens with that, I believe we can stay up. So do my teammates. We did it last year, so why not?”