Dion Dublin has questioned whether Swansea City have “the bottle” to turn a fantastic start into a promotion, warning that life at the top of the table “is when the issues can start”.
The former Manchester United, Coventry City and Aston Villa striker delivered his verdict as the Swans’ unbeaten start ended in a 3-1 defeat at Southampton, knocking them off the top and into second.
“Swansea City are doing great but becoming the top team is a different test and they might not have the bottle to see it out,” said Dublin.
“Swansea City fans will be delighted to be getting a taste of that top spot again, but what the team needs now is to find consistency.
“You know what happens sometimes when you’re doing well? You don’t always know what you’re doing differently. You have to figure out a sort of muscle memory that just allows you to keep doing it.
“Have that same level of performance come to the fore every time you go on the pitch. You don’t want to have to think about it too much.”
‘How good is your jab?’
“Look at Arsenal at the moment. They are in the groove. The players aren’t questioning what they have to do to play well again. They just go out and do what they’ve been doing.
“That’s the challenge for Swansea City now with the way they’re playing because they have to be delighted with where they are, and it’s a fantastic start, but when you’re top of the table, that’s when the issues can start.
“You’re the best, and you’re the team that’s there to be knocked off the top again, and then the question is: how good is your jab? Keep them away, keep them away, keep them away. It’s difficult once you’re up there.”
Dublin’s warning chimes with Vitor Matos’ own post-Southampton verdict, the head coach admitting his side must improve “the consistency of our play” after the defeat at St Mary’s.
Swansea’s response starts quickly, with second-from-bottom Burnley visiting the Swansea.com Stadium on Saturday (3pm kick-off).
Dion Dublin was speaking in association with Reviant.
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