Jamie Paterson | It's important to keep the belief

Jamie Paterson feels it is key for Swansea City to maintain their belief and has no doubt Russell Martin’s side are only going to improve.

Paterson and his team-mates suffered a 1-0 defeat at Middlesbrough on Saturday, where they created numerous openings but were unable to apply the finishing touch.

The midfielder also had a strong shout for a penalty waved away at the Riverside Stadium on a frustrating afternoon.

But head coach Martin saw plenty of positives – particularly from a second half where Swansea were firmly on top – and likewise Paterson is confident the rewards will come provided they continue to believe in themselves and their way of playing.

“Listen, it was disappointing and but for a couple of moments we had enough to win that game. We had a lot of possession and chances,” he said.

“It’s still a process, we are still learning but I think teams are worried about us and you can see that in how sides try to play against us and how aggressive they were in their pressing.

“Take all that into account and we have come away from home to a good side, with a new manager who has buoyed them, and we have had the better of long spells of the game and had the chances to win it.

“So, it’s about learning from it and not being too disappointed, although of course we don’t like losing games.

“But it’s about continuing to work hard, continuing to believe in ourselves because I think we are a good side and I think we will continue to get better.

“If we do that we will be able to get the results we want and start closing back towards those play-off places.”

Paterson’s penalty appeal arrived just before the interval, with Joel Piroe sending him through on goal.

He looked to take the ball around Middlesbrough keeper Luke Daniels, but was felled in the process.

However, Paterson was penalised and booked by the referee, an outcome which left him stunned.

“It’s a penalty, I know what I felt, and I have seen it back and it’s a penalty,” he said.

“I would not be diving in that situation, or any situation and it’s frustrating because we have had a lot of those incidents this season where it feels like those decisions are going against us.

“It wasn’t the reason we lost the game, we can’t blame that but hopefully some of these decisions will start to fall our way.”