Paul Clement Says Swans Need Home Fires Burning – Or Else Stomachs Start Churning

Wilfried Bony has scored twice in two games. Pic: Getty Images.

Paul Clement Says Swans Need Home Fires Burning – Or Else Stomachs Start Churning

Paul Clement is confident Swansea City can cure their “strange” home form and start climbing the Premier League table.

The Swans’ home record at the Liberty Stadium was largely responsible for their escape from relegation last season, with head coach Clement winning six of his nine home games following his appointment in January.

But Swansea have yet to pick up a point at home this season with opening league defeats to Manchester United, Newcastle and Watford.

“We all feel really disappointed that we have not managed to get anything in our home games,” Clement said ahead of Huddersfield’s visit on Saturday.

“Last season when I came into the club we made the Liberty a really difficult place for other teams to come and picked up some fantastic results.

“It is strange why it has gone the other way this season.

“I know there are a lot of things we need to work on, but I feel that when we start putting it altogether the good results are going to come.

“But we need to start putting points on the board because good home form takes the pressure off you when you go away.”

Swansea are set to be without on-loan Bayern Munich midfielder Renato Sanches who picked up a thigh strain while on international duty with Portugal.

And striker Wilfried Bony is rated 50-50 to start after reporting a hamstring problem while he was away with the Ivory Coast.

“A bad result can be in your mind for a time,” Clement said, reflecting on the last-gasp defeat at West Ham before the two-week international break.

“You would rather another game, but we had the majority of the squad here – 15 outfield players and a keeper.

“So we had a good-sized squad and some good sessions last week.

“We all agree we need to start playing better, but the margins in the defeats to West Ham, Watford and Newcastle were tight.

“That is a sign that if we start performing better the results will follow.”

Huddersfield’s first visit to Swansea for nearly 10 years signals a reunion between Clement and Terriers winger Tom Ince as the pair worked together at Derby during the 2015-16 season.

“Tom’s got a bit of a swagger about him, but you want your players to be confident,” Clement said.

“I used him more on the right-hand side because he could cut in on his left foot.

“But I also used him in the number 10 position and he scored his only hat-trick in professional football there in a 4-0 home win against Bristol City. He’s a good player.”

Danny Williams is expected to return to Huddersfield’s squad. The midfielder has recovered from a foot injury and could start, with head coach David Wagner to decide whether to rest Australia international Aaron Mooy.

Club record signing Steve Mounie is back in training after missing three league games due to an inflamed heel and may be involved. Collin Quaner (calf), Kasey Palmer (hamstring) and Michael Hefele (Achilles) are still out.

 

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