Michael Duff | It will take time, but we want to find an extra zip with the ball

Head coach Michael Duff has been pleased with the positive reaction his Swansea City players have shown in training following defeat at West Bromwich Albion, and wants to see them take that sense of purpose into this weekend’s meeting with Coventry City.

The Swans suffered a first defeat of the season at The Hawthorns last time out, with late goals from Harry Darling and Nathan Wood not enough to salvage a point after trailing 3-0.

Duff was disappointed in the manner in which Swansea conceded – with the hosts scoring from all three of their shots on target via long-throws and a penalty – but equally felt his side had lacked energy and positive intent on the ball.

Given he is just a matter of weeks into the job, Duff acknowledges it will take time and hard work on the training ground for everything to gel together, particularly with eight new signings to assimilate into his squad.

But he is clear in his aim for the Swans to play positive front-foot football, and use the technical talents of his squad to play through opponents at a high tempo.

“Football is not a case of ABC, it will take time. We have had changing faces on and off the field, that is not an excuse, that is just a fact,” said Duff.

“No-one is trying to kid anyone, we know we have been a bit too slow and passive with the ball, we have not hurt teams enough.

“We have to tidy up in terms of set-pieces against us, and play with a bit more zip with the ball.

“The reaction from the players has been positive, we have worked on things we feel we need to improve on.

“A lot has been on the in-possession side of things but, of course, there has to be a balance because you can’t just work on one part of the game.

“It’s just about getting that clarity in what we want. I am not one for having 70 per cent of the ball in your own half, but I’m also not one for just booting it upfield.

“I want us to play through teams, that is what we have worked on, whether it comes off we will see but it is something we are trying to adapt.

“It’s not like we have the players to get it at the back and smash it forward, that’s not the profile of the players we have got.

“So, it’s about finding that balance of keeping the ball, but keeping the ball and playing with purpose.

“We don’t want to keep the ball for the sake of keeping the ball, and in the first half last weekend I felt it was too slow and too safe.

“We had a lot of ball but I don’t remember us creating a chance, outside of a set-play, so it’s about finding that bit of zip in our play."