Lukasz Fabianski: Swansea City must get back to basics
3rd December
Lukasz Fabianski reckons Swansea City must go back to basics as they bid to climb out of the Premier League relegation zone.
The Swans slipped to the bottom of the table after a sorry 5-0 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur.
Despite the painful scoreline, Fabianski was probably the Swans' best performer at White Hart Lane as he made a number of smart saves.
And the Polish international keeper admits Bob Bradley's men must improve defensively if they are to turn their fortunes around.
"As a team we didn't perform well," Fabianski admitted.
"We have to be better, that's for sure.
"When you are in the position that we are in, I think you have to focus on the basics defensively, we have to keep more clean sheets.
"We have struggled to do that, but good defensive work always give you a chance in the game.
"If we can improve defensively, it will help us going forward.
"It's very important part of football. We all have to work together and do our jobs in a proper way. If we do that I think we will be in a better position."
The Spurs reverse means the Swans are left licking their wounds ahead of next weekend's relegation clash with Sunderland.
The Black Cats' visit to Wales kicks off what looks like being a key run of games, with fixtures against West Brom, Middlesbrough, West Ham, Bournemouth and Crystal Palace to come over the next month.
And Fabianski believes character will be key to the Swans' hopes of putting a run of results together.
"At the moment our position means we are telling ourselves every week that each game is massive," he added.
"I think we need to perform in the right manner, with character, we have to realise that it's been too long like this. We need to put the right performances in because they will give us belief going forward.
"I think the group is good enough, we have really good players, but we need that extra character and determination in small moments.
"If we add that to our game, we will be a better team, that's for sure."
The Swans kept Spurs at bay for 39 minutes, but Harry Kane opened the scoring from the spot after Kyle Naughton was controversially adjudged to have fouled Dele Alli.
"Obviously the penalty decision has some effect because until then we defended pretty well. They didn't have that many chances," Fabianski said.
"The penalty changed the scenario of the game a bit - it gave them a boost and we had to open up after that. Then it's easier for the opposition to go forward.
"But I don't want to make it sound like I am saying it was all down to the penalty.
"It wasn't a good day for us. We ended up conceding five goals and we didn't do much throughout the 90 minutes to create some threat."
