Thursday 20 April 2017 17:13, UK
Paul Clement has rubbished claims his Swansea players have shown a lack of effort as they prepare for a “must win” game against Stoke City on Saturday.
The Welsh side go into the home game without a win in their last six matches following the 1-0 defeat to Watford last Saturday, having enjoyed a run of five victories in eight games after Clement replaced Bob Bradley in January
As a result, the Swans now find themselves back in the relegation zone, but Clement has dismissed suggestions that the players have not been working hard in games in recent weeks to rectify their situation.
"I think there has been some criticism this week about a lack of effort or lack of passion, but I don't believe the players are not trying or that they don't understand what's at stake," Clement said.
"The big thing is that the belief is still there. With five games to go, I still believe there are a lot of twists and turns ahead and I still think it will go to the very end.
"The players are up for this fight, 100 per cent. I have seen them battling, going at it hammer and tong in training this week.
"They know how important this game against Stoke is and the intensity in training has been there.
"I think if I had seen something different - a flat mood or a lack of belief - I would be worried, but I haven't and I am not."
Clement believes his side must take three points against Stoke as he is adamant Hull City will beat Watford on Saturday, while he has also expressed an interest in signing Chelsea captain John Terry this summer if the club stay in the Premier League.
Knowing the defender well from their time at Stamford Bridge together, with the Swansea coach being Carlo Ancelotti's assistant when Chelsea won a league and FA Cup double in 2009-10, Clement has responded to Terry's announcement that he is leaving Chelsea at the end of the season by admitting he would love to bring the 36-year-old to south Wales.
"If we stay up why wouldn't we be interested?" he said. "I know John very well as a player and a person and I would be more than happy to speak to him.
"That is not something I have thought about at this point, we have to focus on the players and games we have got. When the season finishes we can have those discussions about our own players and potential targets."
