Swansea will look to build

Neil Taylor believes that Swansea will be able to retain their key players as manager Brendan Rodgers is building something special in south Wales.

The Swans have exploded onto the Premier League scene after their promotion last season, sitting 10th in the top flight with 39 points. This is wildly higher than most people's expectations, the majority believing the Welsh outfit would be the whipping boys this season.

Wins over Arsenal and Manchester City based on a strong work ethic and no lack of creative talent have demonstrated that Rodgers has a side with good strength in depth. Unlike Blackpool a few seasons ago, the Swans have not suffered a blip during the second half of the campaign and are on track to finish in the top 10. Fans of football odds should remember this.

Such performances have led to speculation that some of their star names may be about to leave the Liberty Stadium. In January, Scott Sinclair was linked with Liverpool while Spurs have been reported to be after Joe Allen.

Despite this, Taylor is convinced that the team spirit which has already got them so far will help Swansea retain their key players for many seasons to come.

Describing the club as "special", Taylor has also stressed that the Swans players are playing for the shirt over money and that financial reward is unlikely to turn their heads over the busy summer transfer period.

Put simply, critics were wrong about Swansea last summer and they will be proven wrong again. People betting on football need to bear this in mind.

Looking at Swansea's remaining eight fixtures, you wouldn't back against them finishing inside the top 10, and potentially higher. They are only three points off seventh-placed Liverpool and aside from a visit to Old Trafford on 6 May, their remaining games look winnable. Consequently, the battle for seventh could come down to the final day home clash against the Reds.

They start this assault at White Hart Lane on Sunday against a Tottenham outfit who have wobbled recently. Then it's on to Newcastle before games against four of the five sides battling against the drop.

It has already been a stellar season for Swansea but finishing in the top seven would put the icing on the cake. And judging by the spirit in the camp and the style in which they play, don't put it past them to achieve just that.