'We must reflect and rebuild'

20th May
First team

Tom Carroll reckons Swansea City must “reflect and rebuild” as they bid to bounce back from relegation to the Championship.

The Swans will be playing second-tier football for the first time since 2011 next season having dropped out of the Premier League.

After struggling through the first half of the campaign, the Swans appeared on course for another relegation escape after an impressive run under Carlos Carvalhal.

But the Swans ended the season in 18th place – three points from safety – after failing to win any of their last nine Premier League games.

That sorry sequence means the club must readjust as they look to mount a promotion challenge in 2018-19.

And a frustrated Carroll believes the Swans’ style will be key to their chances.

“We must look to reflect, rebuild and bounce straight back next season,” the former Spurs player said.

“With the squad we had, we should not have ended up where we did in the table.

“But now we have to look forward and try to make sure next season is a lot more successful than this one.

“I think we need to start playing football and get the philosophy back that made this club successful.”

Relegation meant a far from fitting end to the sparkling Swans careers of two of the club’s finest servants, Leon Britton and Angel Rangel.

Britton is retiring having played for the Swans for 16 years, while Rangel is on the hunt for a new club after his contract expired.

“Losing to Stoke was a disappointing and a sad way to end,” Carroll added.

“We wanted to finish the season on a little high for Leon and Angel.

“They have been massive for the club and helped take it to different levels. Everyone knows the quality they have got. They are leaders and will be massive losses to this football club.”