Bafe Gomis targeting strong finish to season
1st April
Bafe Gomis is targeting a strong finish to a "different" Barclays Premier League season as the Swans hunt down the clubs above them in the table.
The Swans sit ten points above third-bottom Sunderland, who have a game in hand, ahead of Saturday's trip to Stoke City.
A tense 1-0 win over Aston Villa prior to the international break has given the Swans - now 15th in the table - some breathing space as they head into their final seven fixtures.
They are games in which France international Gomis insists the Swans will treat as cup finals as they look to cut the gap on the clubs above them in the table.
"The season has not been good for the team or myself," said Gomis. "It has not gone the way we expected it would.
"But we have the quality in the squad to end the season strongly and improve our league position.
"We have seven games left - all are cup finals, in my opinion. If we want to finish near the top half, then we need good results in these games."
The Swans had started the campaign firing on all cylinders, going unbeaten in their opening games which included a draw at Chelsea and victory over Manchester United.
Gomis, too, hit the ground running with four goals in as many matches.
But a downturn in form for the Swans also coincided with Gomis' dry spell in front of goal, with his next strike coming in the 2-1 defeat at Manchester City in December.
But the 30-year-old insists the Swans' change of fortunes this season - compared to the record-breaking 2014-15 campaign - is reflected in the league's unpredictable nature.
"Last year the club had an amazing season but this year the league is different. No season is the same," added Gomis.
"It's the best league in the world, and you have a club like Leicester City who have gone from bottom to top within the space of one year. It's incredible.
"The top half of the table is where I believe we should be.
"Next season we have new ambitions and it is up to us to make the fans feel proud, because they are amazing to us both home and away. Everywhere we go, they are there - behind us - showing us great support.
"But it's about finishing this season strongly first. That's what we are concentrating on."
A trip to the Britannia Stadium is next on the agenda for Francesco Guidolin's side, with the Swans looking to avenge the 1-0 defeat last October.
Mark Hughes' high-flying Potters sit just five points off the Champions League places, with the Swans still awaiting a first Premier League victory at the Britannia.
"Playing against Stoke is never an easy game, no matter if it's home or away," added Gomis.
"They have bought some quality players this year, like Giannelli Imbula, who I know from my time playing in France. They are a very good team.
"We have not won there in the Premier League, so Saturday would be a great time to end that run."
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