We need to get fighting spirit back – Clement
THERE have been a number of quandaries for Paul Clement to ponder so far this season, and Swansea City’s home form will have arguably caused the head coach the most sleepless nights.
Having made history by overcoming several statistics suggesting Swansea were doomed last season, the start of the new campaign has seen landmarks reached for the wrong reasons.
Swansea have lost the first three home games of a league season for the first time, they have scored just once and struggled to land meaningful blows on their opponents.
It is in stark contrast to their run at the Liberty during their version of the great escape.
Swansea won six and drew one of their nine Premier League home games under Clement last season; their defeats came at the hands of Arsenal and Tottenham.
It was vital in retaining Premier League status, no more so than when they held their composure during nerve-wracking and emotionally charged meetings with Stoke and Everton.
There was a determination and desperation about those performances that suggested, while the margins were tight, the white shirts would come out on top.
It is a purpose and a spirit the head coach acknowledges his side need to recapture against a Huddersfield side who have scored just once in going winless in their last six fixtures in all competitions.
“I think we are missing an attitude where we are fighting for our lives in every game, and not having to wait for a point where it might get to that,” said Clement. “We need to create that mentality, playing more like we did in the second half against Watford but from the very first whistle. Dictating the game and getting on top of the opposition.
“We want to be getting the supporters behind us and riding that wave of LIBERTY STADIUM 3pm SWANSEA CITY v HUDDERSFIELD emotion to put in a good performance over the full 90 minutes.
The game against Newcastle was a missed opportunity, and we should have drawn against Watford and West Ham.
“When you look at those games, on reflection, we lost to a mistake against Watford at the end.
“At West Ham, the goal was the only moment of real quality in the game where the winger comes on gets down the side and puts in a telling ball.
“That’s two games we have lost at the end, but looking ahead to Huddersfield it is a game we have to be looking to win and we have got to get out the blocks quickly and put in a good performance. “That is the most important thing.”
A repeat of the first-half showing against Watford must be avoided, Clement admitted he had got his tactical set-up wrong against the Hornets but there was also a lifeless, stagnant air to that opening 45 minutes that went deeper than simply the way the team lined up.
It was tangible and the home faithful were not shy in letting Clement and his players know their views on it.
Clement understood the frustration of the fans that afternoon and, while acknowledging a sense of unease among the home support can unsettle players, has told his squad they need to show the strength of character to handle it and turn a game to their will.
“It’s about confidence but also about mental toughness.
“This is a really hard league and you’re going to go through periods of adversity and you have to show that you can deal with that.
“You have to show, playing at home sometimes when your own fans show that disappointment, that you’re not a shrinking violet and you say, ‘I can handle this and I’m still going to try and do the right thing, I’m still going to be positive and not fear my decision-making.’ That’s the quality of a good footballer.
“I had an experience with Cristiano Ronaldo being booed at the Bernabeu, and other top players like Claude Makelele, Figo, the Brazilian Ronaldo, David Beckham, they’ve all had it and dealt with it.”
In team news, Swansea midfielder Renato Sanches is out with a thigh strain suffered on Portugal duty.
Forward Wilfried Bony is doubtful with a calf issue, but Nathan Dyer and Ki Sung-yueng are available for selection.
Huddersfield midfielder Danny Williams has recovered from a foot problem, while forward Steve Mounie could also return from an injury to his heel.
Playmaker Aaron Mooy is expected to play despite travelling back from Australia in midweek.