'We want it to be different this time'

Martin Olsson says Swansea City are desperate to avoid another springtime slump as they push for Premier League survival.

The Swans enjoyed an upturn in form as they turned for home in the 2016-17 campaign only for a six-game winless run in March and April to leave them staring at relegation.

Paul Clement’s team then saved their skins thanks to a surge right at the end of the season which saw them bank 13 points from the last 15 on offer.

The Swans have repeated last term’s trick of improving their form markedly following a change of management around the turn of the year.

But Olsson is hungry to ensure no dip in results follows this time around.

“Last season we were going well and then had a bad run,” the Swans left-back said.

“We could have been safer a lot quicker than we were, but then we had a bad period where we could not get results.

“That can happen in football, but we are trying to be as consistent as possible this time.

“I think we have done that since the new manager came in – both defensively and going forward – and we want to keep that going.”

The Swans will look to extend their unbeaten run in all competitions to 11 games when they face Brighton – who are just a point and two places above them in the league table – at the Amex Stadium this weekend.

The Seagulls also come into the fixture in confident mood having not lost in five outings.

That run has included a win over West Ham and draws with Southampton and Stoke, plus FA Cup successes over Middlesbrough and Coventry.

“Brighton is another big game but we are focused,” Olsson added.

“We feel we can come away with something and that’s what we are trying to do in every game we play.

“We are working hard and hopefully the results will keep coming.”