Bob Bradley: Swansea City boss says they are rediscovering their confidence

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Bob BradleyImage source, Rex Features
Image caption,

Bob Bradley lost his first game in charge of Swansea City 3-2 away at Arsenal

Swansea City boss Bob Bradley believes they are rediscovering their confidence despite not picking up a win in the Premier League since the opening day.

The Swans are second from bottom of the table after Saturday's goalless draw with Watford.

But Bradley, appointed manager earlier in October, sees signs of a revival.

"You go through a tough stretch, you play good teams, there's a managerial change and in the process you lose a little confidence," he said.

"We're not where we want to be but, when I look at the guys every day in training and when I see them after the game, I think some of it's coming back.

"We're going to continue every week to try to get a good environment, try to get better and, with it, when you get results and put a run of games together, then there will be confidence."

The Watford stalemate was Bradley's first home game as Swansea manager, and the former United States boss marked the occasion by making five changes to the team which lost 3-2 at Arsenal.

Image source, Rex Features
Image caption,

Defender Alfie Mawson started his first game for Swansea since signing from Championship side Barnsley in the summer

Those changes included a debut for 22-year-old centre-back Alfie Mawson, who impressed with a composed display against two robust strikers in the form of Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo.

"He [Mawson] has earned respect from his team-mates day in day out. He has a real presence," said Bradley.

"For a young defender, he is not afraid to talk, to organise. I think he's a solid passer, so first game for him I thought was very good. I was very pleased. So for me there are positives."

After a drab first half in which neither team played with any fluency, Swansea improved after the interval but wasted several good chances to score a winner.

Although Bradley remains without a win having succeeded Francesco Guidolin as Swans boss, the 58-year-old enjoyed his first experience of managing at the Liberty Stadium.

"Fantastic atmosphere. Now I've been in Swansea a few weeks, I've met a lot of good people. The passion for the club, the 'Jack Army' - I met a man before the game and he said he'd been a supporter for 71 years," Bradley added.

"A fantastic atmosphere in the stadium - we just have to continue to make sure it shows with the way we play and the kind of effort we give."

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