Paul Clement has urged Swansea City fans to show patience and restraint if things unravel at times against Bournemouth on Saturday.
The Swans manager knows the visit of the Cherries could have a huge influence on his team’s ability to get out of the relegation zone – as well as on his own future in the job.
The Liberty Stadium crowd have voiced their frustrations while watching the Swans lose five of their last six home games.
But Clement wants the fans to cheer rather than jeer his side on against a club five points above them in the Premier League and said: “I hope the fans can save their frustrations until the end. It’s difficult when after 10 minutes, if there’s a misplaced pass, they’re onto it, it’s hard for the players.
“So hopefully the fans can keep their frustrations until maybe later if they’ve seen a performance that they’re not happy with.
“They have every right to show their frustration. But I also hope they want to help the team.
“I think it’s a time to pull together. I’m sure that everyone wants the same thing here.”
Swansea sit second from bottom and have only won just once since August.
Their recent form is in stark contrast to Bournemouth’s and Clement reckons his players need an injection of confidence to turn their season around.
He said: “I think we’ve currently got the players at the moment to perform at a better level than they are.
“How good they can be, well I’m not quite sure. But they’re certainly better than what they are at the moment, individually and as a team.
“The players are trying. It’s not because of a lack of effort or will it’s more confidence and it’s confidence in players.”
Tammy Abraham has scored four of Swansea’s seven goals this season but is a doubt with back problem.
It means that Wilfried Bony, who is yet to score since returning to Wales, could once again lead the line.
Clement added: “The fact is Wilfried has missed so much football. And even this season he’s missed training time, football time, he’s missed development time physically and technically so I doubt it will come in one game.
“But he’s got a better chance of it coming if he’s being selected in and around the side and training regularly and getting on the pitch more.”
