Naughton: We must deliver

Kyle Naughton is tipping Swansea City to take points under pressure this weekend – because they have done it so often in recent times.

The Swans host Brighton and Hove Albion in what looks a key fixture after a difficult start to the season.

Paul Clement’s men are only outside the bottom three on goal difference having won just two of their first 10 Premier League games in 2017-18.

Their biggest issues have been at home, where they have lost four of their five top-flight games to date this term.

But the win one so far came in another game which was billed as pivotal beforehand, against Huddersfield Town last month.

And the Swans also delivered in a succession of home fixtures when they knew points were crucial at the back-end of last season.

Hence Naughton feels there is cause for optimism heading into the Brighton clash.

“I don’t want to jinx it, but we have done well when we have really needed to in recent times,” the Swans defender said.

“When we have been under pressure at home we have usually got the three points, so hopefully we can do the same again against Brighton.

“It is a big game for us. However we do it, we have got to get three points.

“It’s quite similar to Huddersfield last month – it’s another big game. We got the victory in that game and we have to try to do the same again this weekend.”

The Swans went down 2-1 at Arsenal last Saturday despite taking the lead through Sam Clucas’s first goal for the club.

That was the sixth league reverse of the season, only one of which has seen Clement’s side beaten by a margin of more than one goal.

The feeling within the camp, therefore, is that the Swans are not far away from turning losses into positive results.

“Look at the defeats we have had – we have nearly always been a goal off,” Naughton added.

“We just need to change the little things so that we end up getting a point from a game instead of nothing or we get a win instead of a draw.

“Every point you can get adds up at the end of the season.”