'Set-piece struggles reflect low confidence'

4th November
First team

Paul Clement felt Swansea City’s set-piece struggles against Brighton were evidence of the lack of confidence running through his team.

The Swans were awarded a string of free-kicks in dangerous areas, while they also had a number of corners.

But all too often, the dead balls were woefully delivered.

“It’s difficult to explain,” Clement conceded.

“It was not just once – it was time and time again.

“I think it’s difficult for the layman who has not played in a professional environment to understand how confidence and pressure can affect a human being’s decision-making and actions.

“But we are professionals and we have to deal with it. We have to be able to have good times and bad times.”

The set-piece struggles were just one aspect of a below-par performance as Glenn Murray’s goal saw Brighton take all three points away from the Liberty Stadium.

Clement acknowledged the home crowd’s frustration as they saw their team beaten for the fifth time in six top-flight games in SA1 this season.

He added: “Nobody is more disappointed and frustrated by the levels of performance than me.

“We have to find some consistency and some confidence in order to grind out some results in the games we have ahead.”