We’re not doing talking on pitch
three chances. Maybe now it is too much.”
Ranieri had delivered a worryingly simple indictment of his team after the match. “We have two problems,” he added. “We concede and we don’t score.”
But he admitted words did not even begin to solve his problems and the Italian seemed exasperated that whenever he called a team meeting the players seemed positive enough, only to fail to convert that into performances on the pitch.
“It is difficult to say it is mental,” he said. “When I speak to them, we pull together. Everybody wants to react. Everybody tries to say something positive to help each other. But after, we go back. Every time I speak to the players and the players speak to me we are always confident we can change the situation.”
He hinted that the Champions League, which has been their one saving grace so far this term, must be sacrificed for staying in the Premier League.
“Now there are a few matches in front of us so we have to find a solution very, very soon,” said Ranieri.
“There are two games in front of us, one in the FA Cup and one in the Champions League – but our mind is on the Premier League.”
Swansea, on the other hand, have next weekend off and their boss Paul Clement will give his players a well-earned break after they picked up their fourth win in the six league games since his appointment was announced.
That said, leaders Chelsea are their opponents when they report back.
“Every game is an opportunity to get a result – I’m disappointed we didn’t beat Manchester City,” said Clement.
“I’m very happy with the form of the team and the confidence but it is only a small step today.”