'We're starting to feel comfortable'

27th October
First team

Graham Potter believes Swansea City are starting to “feel comfortable” at the Liberty after they climbed to within two points of the play-off places thanks to a 2-0 win over Reading.

The Swans deservedly made it two home victories in four days thanks to two goals from Oli McBurnie.

Paul Clement’s Reading had their opportunities going forward, but the Swans created more chances and were in control for long spells.

They went ahead seven minutes before the break thanks to McBurnie, the striker converting from the penalty spot after Andy Yiadom had brought down Daniel James.

And McBurnie sealed the points when he steered home James’s centre late on.

Potter insists he is unconcerned about his team’s league position at this stage in the season – but he is in upbeat mood after successive home victories.

“The league table is for the insane to worry about at the point because it just changes so much,” the Swans boss said through a smile.

“For us it’s about carrying on improving, and it’s nice to get two wins in front of our supporters.

“We are starting to feel a bit more comfortable and confident at home, which I think it’s fair to say we have had to work at.

“I am delighted for the players that we have got six points from two home games and it’s great for our supporters to see two home wins as well.”

Former Swans boss Clement admitted his old club gave Reading as hard an examination as they have faced all season in the first half.

The Royals came back into the contest after the break, causing problems for their hosts for a spell, but the Swans pushed again and sealed the win late on.

“I am pleased for the players because I thought we did well in the game overall,” Potter added.

“We had to survive some moments, as you do in any game, but I thought we attacked well and we tried to limit them to not too much.

“The second half was a bit more open – we probably didn’t play as well at the start of the second half after they changed their system.

“We had to come to terms with that and we did. We’re really pleased.”

Clement felt Reading were unfortunate not to go ahead just after the half hour when Sam Baldock’s goal was ruled out for offside.

But he was quick to praise the Swans on his first return to the Liberty.

“I thought Swansea played really well in the first half,” Clement said.

“They caused us a lot of problems. They have been well coached by Graham and they have lots of young players with good energy and good ideas.

“We found it difficult to pin them down, although we were unlucky not to score from a set-play.

“We changed things at half-time and got into the game. I thought we deserved get back into it, but we just couldn’t get over the line and in the end we were punished on the counter.”