Fer: Unity is key for Swans
24th February
Leroy Fer believes Swansea City's "Band of Brothers" approach has been a key ingredient behind their recent success.
The Swans, who visit leaders Chelsea on Saturday, have picked up four victories from six Premier League fixtures since Paul Clement was announced as head coach at the start of the new year.
Wins at Crystal Palace and Liverpool along with home triumphs over Southampton and Leicester City have moved the Swans off the bottom and four points clear of the relegation zone.
And Fer believes the united approach has been vital in the club's upturn in fortunes.
"The unity here is very good. We are like a band of brothers - not just the players, but the coaches, the technical staff, everyone behind the scenes," said the Dutch international.
"When I played against Swansea for Norwich I could see they were a passing team, but I also saw a very good team spirit.
"I think we have made giant strides in terms of the style and unity in recent weeks, and that has been important in helping us pick up the results we want."
Clement and co now head to Stamford Bridge for a tough test against a Chelsea side that has tasted defeat just once in 19 top-flight encounters.
But Fer points to recent performances on their travels as reason to be optimistic ahead of the trip to West London.
"Our confidence is growing and we have got to take that into this game," said the 27-year-old.
"We are playing the best team in the league but we know we are capable of getting a result there.
"Against Liverpool we played really well and picked up three points at Anfield, while against Manchester City at the Etihad we gave the same level of performance only to miss out on a point in the final few seconds of the game.
"So we've shown we can stand up to the big teams on their own patch, and this is what we have to do again on Saturday."
Fer will hope to be on the scoresheet again against the Blues this Saturday after he scored the Swans' second goal in the 2-2 at the Liberty last September.
That strike is one of six that Fer has scored this season, with the midfielder just one strike away from beating his best tally in the Premier League.
"The boss wants me to be a bit more involved in the box," explained Fer. "I am trying to control the midfield a bit more alongside Tom (Carroll) and Jack (Cork), while he wants me to be more of a box-to-box midfielder. It's a role I enjoy."
