Josh Key | Defensive discipline has been crucial

Josh Key believes defensive discipline has been a vital part of Swansea City’s excellent recent run of form, and the full-back admits there is a sense of disappointment that they have strung together results just as games are running out at the end of the season.

The Swans beat Queens Park Rangers 2-1 at MATRADE Loftus Road on Easter Monday, completing a fifth win in succession.

It was the first time Swansea had rattled off five straight league wins since 2007, and you have to go all the way back to the 1999-2000 season for a sequence to top those quintets.

A Morgan Fox own goal and a close-range Harry Darling finish sealed the win, with Kader Dembele’s goal for the hosts – the first Swansea had conceded since March 29 – not enough to deny the visitors.

And Key feels this consistent run has been based on very solid foundations.

"One thing we've built is consistency, any high performing team has to be a consistent team. It's a shame it's come towards the end of the season,” he said.

“But, to put a run like this together makes us happy, especially as a defender. One thing that Sheez (Alan Sheehan) has done is make the defence disciplined. 

That defence is not just about defenders necessarily, it comes from the players in front of us too. They make our jobs a lot easier, and then we can look to protect Vigs (Lawrence Vigouroux) in goal.

“It all comes together when you have a good defensive line and defensive shape, it’s easier to win games that way.”

Key thought that he rather than Darling had put the Swans two goals to the good in west London, after both players sought to run in Jisung Eom’s deflected cross.

Both players ran off to celebrate in front of the sold-out away end, but the goal was eventually awarded to Darling. Not that Key minds too much!

"I definitely touched the ball, so I'd like to think it was me, but he Harry had the quick thinking of making it look like he scored it,” said Key with a smile.

“But whoever's goal it was, we're happy to have scored it because it won us the game and gave the fans another win to celebrate.

"It felt like we were playing at home at times, the away support has been amazing this season. 

“Having that support behind us, hearing them sing. We just wanted to attack towards them. They've been a massive help for us the last five games.”