Joe Allen | We believe we can be right in the mix

Joe Allen has no doubt Swansea City have the belief and the aggression to force their way into the Championship play-off picture over the remainder of the season.

With 18 games to go Russell Martin’s side are well-placed, sitting just three points off the play-off places having taken four points from tough away games at Sunderland and Queens Park Rangers.

After an injury-hit start to the season, Wales international Allen has had a run of games since returning from the World Cup and has dovetailed well with Matt Grimes and Jay Fulton in the middle of the park.

The Swans have taken seven points from their last four games, and now have four of their next six games on home turf.

It is an opportunity Allen is confident they have the ability to make the most of.

“For sure, we have the belief that we can be contenders over the second half of the season,” he said.

“The first half we have shown we are capable of being in the promotion race. There have been some fine margins we have come out on the wrong side of and there are certain things we need to improve, but we have the ability to do that.

“It is about ironing out those mistakes. If we are able to do that then there is no reason we cannot be in the mix.

“More than ever, you can see how tight the Championship is, and I am sure there are a lot of other teams who will feel the same way.

“But I truly believe we have enough to achieve that, particularly when you look at some of our recent performances like against Watford and Burnley.”