Matt Grimes | We need to continue to show character and resilience

Swansea City captain Matt Grimes wants his side to continue to show the character and resilience that has underpinned their recent good run when they host Cardiff City on Sunday (12pm).

The Swans have picked up the most points from losing positions in the Championship this season, overcoming a deficit to put 10 points on the board over the course of the campaign so far.

Tuesday night's comeback from two goals down in a 3-2 victory against Reading was the latest example of the Swans ability to respond in moments of adversity.

And, while Grimes and his team-mates will be eager to ensure no more comeback heroics are needed, the skipper wants the courage and battling qualities to once again be on show on derby day.

“We need to approach the game in exactly the same manner as we have recently, it’s been very positive up to now and it’s up to us to continue that”, said Grimes 

“We went through a bit of a tough period at the beginning of the season conceding late goals. We addressed that now though. It’s just a testament to the character of the lads.  

“There were a few new bodies and a few new faces in the summer, so it’s taken a little while for all that to click together. 

“We can see now that it has come together nicely, and we believe that we're going to win. No matter the score line or the time of the game, we need to stick to our principles, and we believe we can do it”. 

Grimes also acknowledged the impact set-piece coach Andy Parslow has had on the team since his appointment, with Swansea scoring four set-piece goals in their last five games to underline the threat they carry in different situations.

“He’s been brilliant. To change the mentality the way that he has to every set-piece, to the extent that we believe that we are going to score when we have one, is massive” continued Grimes. 

“It got us back in the game on Tuesday night and gives us a bit of a lifeline and belief that we can go on and win the game. That doesn’t happen if we don’t score the first goal. 

“He’s got the lads really believing in what he is doing and were looking a real threat. 

“As a set-piece taker, if you know that the lads in the box believe that they are going to score every time that they go in there, it helps so much. You just have to put it in the right area hopefully and they’ll make something of it. 

“There’s nothing worse than taking a set-piece knowing that you're not going to trouble the opposition. I feel that’s where we were last year, but now since Andy’s come in, he’s really taken the reins and taken us to another level”.