Saturday 24 October 2015 20:21, UK
Garry Monk has urged Swansea to use Saturday's 2-1 victory over Aston Villa to build momentum after a mixed start to the season.
The Swans were winless in six games coming into the fixture at Villa Park, but Andre Ayew's 87th-minute winner earned Monk's side their first three points away from home.
Defeat by Stoke City at the Liberty Stadium on Monday Night Football had contributed to Swansea's descent from as high as fourth in the table in September to 14th by kick-off, and Monk was pleased with his side's response to Monday's disappointment.
"We fought very hard for the three points, and we wanted to get back on track with a good performance," Monk told Sky Sports.
"We've been in a period where we have had some good performances and some poor ones, and that was one of our better ones.
"We will try and use this now to try and get some momentum back. I have a very good team, they have great character, and they showed that today."
The build-up to Saturday's match was dominated by speculation over Tim Sherwood's job after a run of defeats was extended to six in the Premier League in the wake of the 2-1 result.
Monk believes the circumstances of the game impacted his side, and he was pleased with the way they responded to his team talk at half-time after a disjointed first 45 minutes.
"It was natural that, with the build-up to the game this week, both teams were a little bit nervous in the first half - especially ourselves with the ball - but it was a very even first half," Monk continued.
"I told the players at half-time to relax and settle, and frustrate the crowd, and I think we did that.
"We always looked a threat, and looked like the team that was going to get the goal. Unfortunately we got caught by a counter-attack, which we are disappointed with."
"We talked about quietening the crowd, the longer the game goes on, the more you are in it. It didn't quite go to plan because they got the first goal, but we stayed true to what we talked about and our game plan, and it paid off.
"You feel for any manager in this situation - but it's just the nature of the job."
