Michael Duff was cagey in his latest press call at Swansea regards Joe Allen, and not for the first time has ‘decisions to make’ Many Swans fans are thinking he is referencing to Joe possibly hanging his boots up, who can say with hidden messages this afternoon from the head coach.

It has to be said Michael Duff was more upbeat as he explained he wanted to ‘Leave the club in a better place than he found it’ When asked if he is enjoying his job at Swansea he didn’t actually answer that specifically at first but said. “When I come to work I want to improve people, I want to improve the football club and it takes time to get there. Am I enjoying it ? Yes, because I know I’ll be better for it. I’m working harder than I’ve ever worked, and it puts it in to reality, so yesterday there was a funeral I couldn’t go to of a family friend, because I’m working. Now that’s not asking for sympathy, that’s the reality of the job that we are in, but sometimes it puts it in to perspective. I’m very, very proud to be the manager of the football club, I’ve been given what sixty or seventy people and I’m the one who has to lead it. I have to look them in the face, and if I know I’m cutting corners, and I know - I’m almost get at it (?) trying to hoodwink people. I know I can’t put my head on the pillow, so that’s the way I’ve always worked, I’ve always, I’ve never been given anything in my life, I’ve had to prove to people wrong all my life. My resilience is built in”

Michael Duff seemed more relaxed but only at times - and slightly emotional today. “I’ve always had to prove people wrong, and if that’s what I have to do here, then that’s what I’m going to try and do. Whether I will or I won’t we will have to wait and see. But it won’t be through a lack of hard work and planning”

Michael Duff’s message to the supporters
“It’s our responsibility to give them something to shout about. It’s our job to get them off their seats. And hopefully in time that relationship builds, and trust builds, and sometimes it’s their turn to do it. But at the minute we are winless in seven, so it’s our job to get them off their seats. And we will be doing everything we can”

The players
“The players are suffering as well, you see it the other day, it’s an anxiety from wanting to do well. It wasn’t through attitude or application, Six or seven dropped to their knees because they were absolutely out on their feet. So, if there is a stray pass or someone makes a mistake, hopefully they won’t jump down their throats because ultimately everyone wants the football team to win. During the ninety minutes lets hope they turn it and support the team”

That final sentence reveals frustration but the travelling Jacks at Loftus Road on Tuesday did that throughout the game despite eighty minutes of poor fayre.

Duff was challenged in this press conference on his statements on the team and what he wants to see it look like during his tenure. “You asked me on the first day what I wanted it to look like at the end “ ( this is incorrect but we continue ) So on my first day I want it to look like front foot, aggressive football fit and strong and organised. Like I said it’s a step by step, you need to build the foundations. I’m fully aware of what I think the Swansea Way is. You know football changes and football evolves, I get the feeling there is a bit of freedom in the idealism of what the Swansea Way is. I think the supporters want to see blood on the shirt, sweat on the shirt, with a bit of excitement. Have we got to that point yet ? No, no. I’m not up here trying to con people, we haven’t got to that bit. It takes time”

On the season so far
“If you’re asking me whether I would like sixty percent or eighty percent of the ball and win, I’ll take sixty percent all day. We are not just making it up as we go along. We know where we want to get to. I’m not hiding away from that, we need to win some games”

Contact with the ownership
I’m not going to say what’s been said. They’ve been good, there’s no hiding away, I’ve been honest and open, they’ve been honest and open, there’s been ‘weekly contact’ obviously I see more of Andy, ( Coleman, Club Chairman ) because he’s feet on the ground. I’ve had weekly conversations with Steve Kaplan, always on a Monday so emotions always come out, people say things that they may not mean because everyone wants the football club to do well ( this most certainly needs clarification) Why Steve Kaplan is another question ? All I can do is control the things I can ‘try’ and control , stay calm, trust in the work that’s being done by myself and the staff and given time I believe it will turn. I don’t ask for reassurances, I’m not hanging on the phone hoping, I’m talking from a playing point of view, the whole football club has been restructured. So in terms of change I would imagine it’s been unprecedented at the football club for a long, long time. Social media blows everything up as well. I’ve had good conversations with them. It doesn’t happen overnight. In terms of habits of training and detail of everything they’ve started coming out. Trust takes time.

Swansea City take on Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday at the Swansea.Com Stadium with a 3pm kick off

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