Sheehan explains his ideal Swansea style

Alan Sheehan signed a three-year contract at Swansea in April

Swansea City have had more of the ball than the majority of sides in the Championship this season which, to some extent, is nothing new.

Winning games by dominating possession has been the favoured tactical approach during most of the better spells in the club's history, particularly since Roberto Martinez revolutionised their philosophy after being named manager in 2007.

Swansea's possession-heavy game has come in various guises, with the likes of Brendan Rodgers and Michael Laudrup bringing their own particular details.

But the desire to control matches by controlling the ball has nearly always been there, hence the likes of Graham Potter, Russell Martin and Luke Williams have had spells in charge of Swansea since their relegation from the Premier League in 2018.

The various outlets which provide statistics for the Championship – as well as the club's in-house data – have the Swans somewhere in the top five clubs for most possession in the second tier so far this season.

Only Southampton, Sheffield United and Ipswich Town are consistently having more of the ball than Alan Sheehan's side, who are averaging around 56.5% of possession per game.

'An attacking coach that's difficult to break down'

Swansea's solitary home league win so far this season came against Sheffield United in August

Sheehan, in his first full season as a head coach having originally taken charge on a temporary basis in February, is happy enough with the way his side are developing.

The Irishman feels Swansea are making strides as an attacking force having focused initially on "out-of-possession principles" when he picked up the reins following a collapse in form last season.

But for Sheehan, attack often springs from defence. Swansea's possession stats are on the up, he says, because their approach when they do not have the ball means they keep winning it back.

Some of Sheehan's predecessors set out to pass opponents into submission, to wear teams down by moving the ball around the pitch before striking as they became fatigued and vulnerable.

Sheehan's philosophy is more focused on moving forward with tempo, on winning possession and then trying to hurt teams in the transition rather than "just having the ball".

"I have said previously I don't want to be known probably as an in-possession or a possession-based manager," Sheehan says.

"But, within how we build things, we will end up having the ball. Our possession stats have gone up a long way.

"I'd probably rather be known as an attacking-style coach that's really difficult to break down. But, within that, I do believe we will end up having more of the ball."

Swansea have lost only one of 11 games on their own ground since Alan Sheehan took charge in February, though they were left frustrated by Hull City's stoppage-time equaliser in their most recent home league fixture

Swansea's defensive improvement in the final stages of last season saw them register seven clean sheets in 13 games under Sheehan.

They lost only three of those fixtures as Sheehan's side finished the campaign in 11th, having swept aside the relegation concerns which were creeping in at the back end of Williams' Swansea reign.

There were many changes in the summer transfer window, which many regarded as the most successful Swansea have had in years.

Now the challenge for Sheehan and his staff, who are preparing for a home game against Millwall on Saturday (12:30 BST), is to build on the promising signs seen in the spring.

The start to this campaign has been encouraging if not spectacular, with Swansea continuing to look solid – only the Championship's top two have conceded fewer league goals so far - but chasing progress in the final third.

The pressure to improve has increased as a result of work done in the transfer market, with Swansea's hierarchy finding a way to fill all the vacancies – in some cases at considerable expense – Sheehan had highlighted on the playing staff.

There have been obvious holes in Swansea's squad in recent seasons, but the current group has good balance and a decent sprinkling of quality.

'More points will come'

Swansea have eight points from six league games this season, while they are also through to round four of the Carabao Cup

While it is still early in the season, Sheehan's new-look group appear capable – at the very least – of competing in the second tier.

Swansea are certainly not among the clubs fancied to compete for automatic promotion, but there is a feeling that they could have a say in this season's play-off race.

"I can see the improvement that they've made, and they'll be a force in this league, no doubt," Chris Davies suggested after his Birmingham City side condemned Swansea to only a second defeat of the season last weekend.

Do Davies' comments suggest a shift in the way rival clubs are viewing Swansea?

"Potentially," Sheehan said. "I think we have been in every game so far this season - there are very fine margins. Should we have more points? I believe so.

"But I believe we will get more points. I think we are simmering, as I said the other week. I think we are getting there but we are competitive in every game.

"I do think teams know that it is not going to be an easy game against us."

As a result, Sheehan suggests, more opponents are setting up defensive blocks to combat Swansea rather than "jumping" to press his side high up the pitch.

"That is what we are seeing now," Sheehan added.

"That's where we have to go from slow to fast better and be a bit cleaner.

"Some of our play at Birmingham was exceptional - we created opportunities to win the game. That's the next bit, being more clinical and being more ruthless in the final third while staying compact defensively."