Alan Sheehan | We are not where we want to be, but we have a chance to start the process of moving forward

Alan Sheehan admits no-one at Swansea City wants to be in the position of requiring points to secure their Championship status, but feels it represents the opportunity to be a starting point in getting the club setting its sights higher in the future.

Four points from a trip to high-flying Leeds United and the hosting of in-form Derby County have opened up a seven-point and seven-place gap to the bottom three ahead of this midweek round of Championship fixtures.

Plymouth, who sit bottom of the table but are just four points from safety, are the next visitors to SA1 on Wednesday night, with the Swans knowing another victory would move them another sizeable step closer to mathematical safety.

Sheehan has picked up 11 points from seven games since becoming caretaker head coach in February, exactly matching his return from a similar spell in charge last season, but he has acknowledged Swansea’s current position is a long way from the aims they had at the outset of the campaign.

The Irishman has praised the efforts of his players for how they have responded following a difficult start to 2025, and says they have the opportunity to start setting foundations for a more positive future by finishing the season on a positive note.

“We want to be aiming higher as a club. I would think there are a number of Championship clubs out there who are in certain places where they would want to be higher,” he said.

“Of course, as a football club you have to be aiming higher because you don’t want to just be surviving.

“To aim higher you need to build foundations with consistency and keep doing it.

“Where we are now is not where you would want to be at the beginning of any season, but there is a really good atmosphere about the group at the moment.

“Anybody in and around the training ground can see that, we are really happy with the level of training, there is a bit of an edge, we are challenging each other.

“We set the players challenges, we want to be better, we want to be adaptable, we want to gain confidence from winning games in different ways.

“The lads have been exceptional to work with, and we have got to be delighted with the win against Derby and backing up a wonderful display against Leeds United.

“We want to keep building that momentum, and go into this next game and try and do the same.

“I’m very proud of the players for what they have done so far, and the challenge is to keep this going.”