FABULOUS FAB .... A SWANS SQUAD IN NEED OF A REVAMP...

FOUR games remaining, a four-point advantage to play with and a nagging sense this Premier League relegation tussle is going down to the wire.

Sunday’s humbling at the hands of champions Manchester City was a thoroughly miserable experience for the Swansea City fans who made their way to the Etihad and marked the second time this season they have lost by a 5-0 margin.

The only blessing is that Stoke could only draw at home to Burnley, meaning Carlos Carvalhal’s men still have a handy buffer to the bottom three as we approach the final runin.

But it was an afternoon that raised a number of issues, including Lukasz Fabianski’s future, the manager’s positivity and the failings of some of Swansea’s relegation rivals.

Here, we assess them.

Fabianski would be justified in assessing his options

It would have taken a callous soul not to feel some degree of sympathy for Lukasz Fabianski at the Etihad.

On the face of it a keeper shipping five has not had a great day, the fact is his side could easily have lost by double that amount without his interventions.

One save from Kevin De Bruyne was absolutely world class, as was another from Gabriel Jesus before the interval.

But it has been the story of the Poland international’s season. Indeed, it has been the story of the majority of his four-year stint in SA1. Goodness knows how many points he has won, how many potential hidings he ensured ended in draws or narrow defeats.

He has served the club splendidly since joining from Arsenal but, with his contract sure to be an area to be addressed this summer as it enters its final year, could anyone blame the 33-year-old if he were to take the chance to look elsewhere?

Afternoons such as this would hardly serve as a ringing endorsement for a longer stay with Swansea.

Carlos optimism

Carvalhal’s optimism and positivity have been underlying factors in Swansea’s revival under his guidance, lifting the gloom that had enveloped the squad during the latter stages of Paul Clement’s tenure.

There is no denying the difference in mood around the club, but you do feel there are times where maybe always looking on the bright side of life does not strike the right tone. When Swansea City were thumped 3-0 by Tottenham in the FA Cup, Carvalhal had rejected any suggestion he was disappointed with either the result or the performance.

On this occasion, he praised City to the hilt - quite rightly - but offered zero in terms of any criticism of his own side’s display when they had just been thoroughly hammered, when their pre-match guard of honour had extended its generosity of spirit into most of the following 90 minutes.

City under Pep Guardiola are a magnificent side and Swansea were the 15th side to conceded three or more goals against them this season. They are far from the only side to leave the Etihad with their tail firmly between their collective legs.

But it still felt unusual to see a manager wear a smile and be so upbeat after such a comprehensive loss. In his defence, it has helped get Swansea in a situation where survival is in their own hands. Will it help them finish the job?

The squad needs an overhaul this summer

Whatever the outcome of the final weeks of the season, this was another day to remind all connected with Swansea City that they must succeed where they have failed in recent summers when the transfer window rolls around.

This squad needs an overhaul, it needed one last summer, and probably the summer before that. The gaping holes have to be dealt with if Swansea want to avoid another Premier League relegation battle or to have a genuine chance of being promotion contenders in the Championship.

There is a lack of depth in any