Michael Duff | There are signs of progress but we are disappointed
Head coach Michael Duff felt there was plenty for Swansea City to take from the manner of their performance despite the disappointment of suffering a 3-1 defeat to Leeds United at Elland Road.
The Swans had stunned the hosts when Jamie Paterson put them ahead with just 59 seconds on the clock, lofting the ball over Illan Meslier after a poor defensive header from Pascal Struijk.
Leeds would soon equalise through Joel Piroe but the Swans gave as good as they got during an opening half where they pressed well and were calm and composed in possession.
However, Georginio Rutter would put the home side ahead right on the stroke of half-time, with Dan James adding a further goal for Leeds after the break.
While the Swans boss was disappointed with defeat, he saw plenty his side can look to take forward.
"I thought we were excellent in the first half and I'm not sure how we were losing at half-time," said Duff.
"We scored a good goal, but what cost us was the timing of the goals we conceded. We conceded within a couple of minutes of leading, and then conceded right at the end of the half.
"It's a different game if we go in at 1-1. We had managed to play through them, Carl (Rushworth) had not had to make a save of any sort of note, but the second half was different then.
"We started it a bit sloppily, but we stuck to what we are trying to do, we kept playing and trying to find a way.
"You also look at the quality of the players they have got and the players they have got coming on and the quality of the goals.
"We are disappointed to lose, of course we are, but we are starting to look like how we want to look like in terms of the football, the way we want to play through and hurt teams.
"There are signs of progress but we also know we can't be happy with playing okay and losing. We have to find that balance.
"We did not come here just to try and survive, we looked to play and were incisive with it. I was proud of the players but now we have to keep building."
New signing Yannick Bolasie made a late substitute appearance for the Swans after signing a short-term deal earlier this week.
The Congolese forward showed some nice touches, and Duff was pleased by the initial signs from the vastly-experienced 34-year-old.
"He sounds like he is a fan favourite already with the reception he got," he said.
"Yannick showed some flashes and flicks and tricks. He brings that personality to the game.
"He is not fully fit but he has kept himself in good nick, and he looks like he can still go past a man which is what we want to have a look at, and he can help off the pitch too.
"We hope he will be a useful addition because he offers something different to what we have got."