Graham Potter admits scoring goals has become a concern for Swansea City as their slide down the Championship table continues.
Despite being rightly encouraged by a point at high-flying Middlesbrough on Saturday, the Swans manager has now presided over just one victory in their last seven games, during which they have scored just four goals.
In fact, the latest stalemate – 0-0 at the Riverside Stadium – means Swansea have failed to find the net in their last three matches.
“We’d like to improve that,” said Potter after a draw that saw his team fall to 14th in the table – three points off the play-offs and five points adrift of Boro in the automatic promotion places.
“I still think we can do better,” added Potter. “I still think we’re not satisfied with aspects of our performance. That’s the next stage and that’s the challenge. I thought we caused our own problems a little but and that’s something we can improve.”
Of the 13 clubs above them, all have goals tallies in double figures after nine games, whereas the Swans have only scored seven times. The only clubs to have scored fewer in the entire Championship are Ipswich and Rotherham.
Chances were few and far between at both ends and a point for both sides was probably a fair reflection of a game which did not see either goalkeeper have to make too many saves.
Middlesbrough did threaten a bit late on but, in the end, manager Tony Pulis had to settle for a draw which lifts them level, albeit second on goal difference, with leaders Leeds in the table.
But Potter insisted: “I’m delighted with the point, I think the stats will tell you it is not an easy place to come against the experience in a side managed by Tony Pulis, it is not easy.
“They have good players, a good manager. I thought we started well first 25 minutes and they adjusted their shape a bit. It was a real test of character and I thought we did it really well, we earned that.”
Boro manager Pulis said: “I was last in the Championship working 11 years ago, you look at it now and there are more quality players, playing in better stadiums, the pitches are better, the quality is better, and there are better players who are playing international football.
“And yet we are asked to play eight more games than the Premier League, there’s more Premier League players playing international football.
“Someone has to look at it. To ask players to play Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday – you look at the top teams, you ask their managers if there’s a little tiredness in there.”
