Tempo the key for Duff as Swans prepare to face Huddersfield 

After a poor run of form winning just once in their last seven games, the Swans enter into a critical period of the season looking to move in a more positive direction after dropping to 18^th place in the Championship table. 

Whilst four of the top six have been played in that period including much fancied Leicester, Ipswich and Leeds. The Swans have now scored first in 11 of their 18 matches this season and only managed to convert four of those leads into wins.  

Not many would have fancied Duff’s side to gain much out of the trip to Elland Road on Wednesday night. However, last Saturday’s loss of a two-goal advantage at the break in the 2-2 draw with Hull would be ‘very disappointing’ for the former Barnsley head-coach with crucial points gone begging after a poor second-half showing. 

Saturday’s game against a struggling Huddersfield side starts a run of three matches against teams in the bottom third of the table, with second-bottom Rotherham and Stoke City to come in the next fortnight.  

With their opposition having one of the worst goal ratios in the division, the match-up with the Terriers feels like a must-win for the Swans to regain some momentum going into the busy Christmas period. 

Whilst the effort and togetherness Duff prides his team on remain unquestionable, omens will be on the Swans to deliver in front of the home faithful starved of victories, with just two in nine coming at the Swansea.com Stadium. 

For Duff, the result can be achieved if his side can dictate the tempo of play and not get caught out by the oppositions own tactics. 

“They will come here and look to frustrate, and we will need to create a tempo because they will try and kill the game. They are good at transition, that is their strength,” explained Duff. 

“The way they play is they bank in and frustrate. They played Sunderland and had 22% of the ball and 24% against Southampton and got positive results. 

“They have pace at the top end of the pitch and will sit in and look to hurt you. 

“It’s a different challenge. It’s not just about dominating the ball but getting the balance of getting results with it. 

“The key to Saturday will be to not just pass it and pass it because they’ll wait for that negative touch and jump all over you. 

“We need to keep moving the ball and not play slowly. You need to break the backline using runners and playing good football. 

“Hull was disappointing because I thought we were very good in the first half. The timing of their goal is what we need to get better at.  

“We should have put the game to bed. 2-0 up against anybody you need to do that. We need to be more clinical when we do get in the lead clearly because we keep taking the lead.  

“It’s the mindset and mentality of being a bit more ruthless and seeing things out better. 

Duff revealed that he is likely to be without on-loan Newcastle full back Harrison Ashby for the run-up to the festive period, with the player returning to his parent club for treatment on a hamstring injury. 

“Harrison has had a scan,” said Duff. 

“I don’t know the diagnosis from it, but the two clubs are talking, he has gone back to Newcastle for the time being. He is their player so obviously they want to investigate. From my point of view, he’s not available for the next couple of weeks. 

“There are no injuries from the other day, a few tired bodies and bumps and bruises but it will be the same pool of players. 

“Kristian [Pederson] is not available. He’s on the grass with the physios, as are Myko [Kukarevych], Azeem [Abdulai] and Joe Allen. They are getting closer but still not in contention for selection. 

One player that will be likely to feature however is Jamie Paterson with the attackers form that has seen back-to-back goals against Hull and Leeds earning the former Coventry player a key role within Duff’s recent line-up. Whilst contract talks have not yet begun with the players current deal running out in the summer, Duff is pleased with the impact Paterson has had in the team this season. 

“Pato [Jamie Paterson] has been doing well but there’s so many things going on at the minute,” continued Duff. 

“He has to keep playing well and then that puts him in a good position [for a new deal], the amount of players that play well in the last year of their contract is amazing. 

“Pato is happy he’s playing, the fact that I’m picking him every week tells you that I think he’s a good player. He has scored two in two, so is starting to add numbers to his performances.” 

[Lead image: Swansea City FC]