Alan Tate says that Paulo Sousa now understands Swansea having settled himself down in the area

The Swansea City manager will be looking to extend his side's unbeaten run at the Liberty against Derby County on Friday - a game where victory will lift his side into third place in the division.

And Tate says that now he (Sousa) has settled in the area it has helped the manager come to terms with expectations.

"I think one of the advantages Roberto (Martinez) had was that he knew the area," he told the Evening Post.

"Roberto knew all about the place because he had been a player here, but the gaffer probably hadn't even heard of Swansea until he took the job at QPR.

"He didn't know the area — what things are like here and what to expect from the fans.

"But I think that has changed now. I think he understands what Swansea is all about.

"He saw the atmosphere at the Cardiff game, which I think was a big eye-opener for him.

"And he is getting around and about.

"One of my friends tells me he saw the gaffer in town the other day doing a bit of shopping. I think that's something you need to do down here.

"The better you know the area and the people, the more they appreciate you.

"I think the gaffer had the toughest job in football this summer," adds the 27- year-old.

"I know people will say there are clubs at the bottom of the league but, when you have to replace your whole staff and you've lost your two main goalscorers, it's a really tough job.

"The gaffer only took over a couple of weeks before the start of pre-season, so it was never going to settle down straightaway.

"He had to bring in other people who didn't know the area, whereas when Kenny (Jackett) left, nobody went with him.

"The manager's beliefs brought him success as a player and he has stuck to them," Tate says.

"You have got to listen when someone speaks like he does, and I think he has got a good chance as a manager.

"We had some problems at the start of the season with injuries and all the changes, and they meant we were never going to kick on straightaway.

"But he is getting his methods across and people are getting used to them now."

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