Ryan Manning | We need to show that intensity from the off

Ryan Manning has warned Swansea City they have to make sure they get out of the blocks better at the start of games.

Manning was on target for the third time this season as the Swans fought back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Wigan at the Swansea.com Stadium on Saturday.

Joel Piroe was also on the scoresheet with a late penalty which gave the home side a share of the spoils and extended their unbeaten home run to five games.

Russell Martin's side have lost just two of their last 10 games to put themselves firmly in the play-off picture as the World Cup break approaches.

The Swans have shown great character to come from behind to earn a result in three of their last five  fixtures, and no Championship side can match their tally of 12 points from losing positions this season.

With tough away trips to Birmingham on Tuesday night and Huddersfield Town on Saturday now to come for the Swans, Manning and his team-mates want to cut out the mistakes and stop giving themselves so much to do in games.

“We left it to the second half at Preston and the same against Wigan, where we get on top of things and end up playing the whole game in their half. It is a bit of complacency from us to expect that to happen. It’s a right that you must earn. You have to run and challenge for the ball”, said Manning. 

“We have to play with intensity to get teams to sit back in and feel like they can't get out.

"We did show good character though to come back. It was similar to the Preston game in the week where we couldn’t get that break through. At least we got the penalty in the end to get back in it. 

“It’s frustrating not to get three points but, after the sloppy start we had, conceding two set-piece goals, we showed good character to come back and make sure we did not lose.

“Losing two on the bounce in this league is tough to come back from especially how tight the table is. It’s a point at home and it could be a big point come the end of the season. Overall though we’re disappointed not to take all three. 

“I thought in the second half we were fantastic we moved the ball we and pinned them in. It’s a case then of the quality that we have with the boys coming off the bench to impact the game like Naughton and Pato did for the penalty.

"It’s the impact you need. Fresh ideas and a bit of intensity to get at them when they're getting a bit tired. 

“It’s disappointing not to get the three points but I think the second half against Wigan and on Tuesday at Preston  is the level we need to be at for 90 minutes. 

“Six points from the next two games [against Birmingham and Huddersfield Town] would be nice. To compete at the top end of the table you need to look at every game as being a three-point game.

"I think if we played like we did in the second half we will definitely be in with a good chance. Hopefully we will finish strong and put ourselves in the best position before the World Cup”.