As the Swans prepare to try and strengthen their hold on a play off spot, Paulo Sousa says he hasn't forgotten the doubts

There were many that wrote Swansea City off at the start of the season but they will end February today hopefully as the only unbeaten side in the Championship in 2010 and still harbouring thoughts of automatic promotion let alone play off finishing.

And Sousa says - with a hint of irony - that Swansea exceeding the 50 point barrier last week went unnoticed despite predictions pre-season that they may struggle against relegation.

The upheaval of last summer only seems to have served to make the Swans stronger although Paulo says he hasn;t forgotten the doubters.

“Nobody even wrote at the weekend that we have now secured our Championship status,” he told the Western Mail.

“At the start of the season there were doubts and I haven’t forgotten them.

“I think the critics in particular are giving us more respect now, though. I think our opponents realised our talents early and gave us the respect.

“The journalists and pundits have changed their opinions now as well. They talk about us looking for the play-offs or even automatic promotion.”

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