On sticking to his principles

There's no magic formula, we've stuck to our principles and have hopefully done some good training. The most important thing is the lads have stuck together and worked as a team and by doing that we've come out the other side.

The sanity's tested at times in this job but it's about being experienced enough to know you've been there before and that the luck changes. I'm a firm believer in doing the right things and not veering away from what brought you success previously.

It's difficult in this league to be tight at the back because you're playing against good defences every week. It's also difficult to score goals but we have found that balance in recent weeks.

On the challenge posed by Swansea 

They're a good team, I've seen them many times. They're very organised and you can see how well they're coached from watching them. It's a tough league and sometimes you can have  run of games and lose confidence.

They've got a very good squad, a very good manager and I'll be backing them to come back out of it.

We're all under pressure, that's the nature of the beast. When you manage in the Premier League you're only one result away from a crisis it seems. As a manager you know that comes with the territory, Paul's always handled himself in the right way and he'll come through this.

On pressing to continue the recent strong form

When you go into any game it's about how you prepare and the mindset you're in. We've got to look to build on recent performances, we don't want to drop our standards.

We don't underestimate them but it is all about us and how we carry on from the Huddersfield game, you can't afford to drop your standards in the Premier League.

The Cherries travel to the Liberty Stadium on Saturday for their first meeting of the season with Swansea. 

Here's a look at five key points ahead of the clash. 

Recent form…

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Paul Clement’s side go into Saturday’s game on the back of five straight defeats. Losses to the likes of Brighton, Burnley and Leicester leave the Swans in the relegation zone.

The Welsh outfit last recorded three points against Huddersfield Town at the Liberty Stadium last month, with their only other win this term coming against Crystal Palace.

Nevertheless, the side can take confidence from recording impressive draws away to both Tottenham and Southampton, although they’ll be looking to go one better on the weekend.

The boss…

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Reports in the week revealed that Clement’s job isn’t on the line this weekend and the result against the Cherries won’t be pivotal towards any dismissal.

The former Bayern Munich assistant manager joined the Swans in January and kept them in the Premier League, as Hull City finished in the final relegation spot.

However, with just two Premier League wins this season and his side currently occupying 19th place in the table, points will be crucial over the Christmas period.

Bony’s back…

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Wilfried Bony is in contention to start, after declaring himself fit for this weekend’s game against the Cherries.

The striker hadn’t featured for the Swans since September, after two hamstring injuries had kept him on the sidelines. He made his comeback last weekend against Burnley and will be raring to go at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday.

“I am feeling fit and the good thing for me is that I am back,” the Ivory Coast star told swanseacity.com.

“I am feeling positive. It has been a frustrating time for me since I came back to Swansea, but I think there are good times ahead.”

Last time round…

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Last season, the Cherries enjoyed a memorable New Year’s Eve clash at the Liberty Stadium, running out as 3-0 winners.

Benik Afobe, Ryan Fraser and Joshua King were all on target to sink the Swans, who were then rooted to the bottom of the Premier League table.

In the return fixture at Vitality Stadium, Afobe was once again on hand to fire the Cherries to victory. Alfie Mawson inadvertently broke the deadlock, deflecting the striker’s shot past Lukas Fabianski.

In the second half, the 24-year-old doubled the hosts’ lead as the game finished 2-0 to the Cherries.

Away following…

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Eddie Howe’s side will be backed by just under 1,800 supporters at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday.

Fans will be encouraged by the Cherries picking up wins in three of their last four Premier League outings and will be hoping for more of the same on Saturday.

However, supporters should note that there is no pay on the day at the Liberty Stadium and tickets should be purchased in advance.

Stuart Attwell will be the man in the middle as the Cherries travel to south Wales to face Swansea on the weekend.

The 35-year-old has officiated four Premier League games to date this season, alongside three Championship fixtures.

Across the seven matches, 27 yellow cards have been handed out, with one red shown in Burnley’s 1-1 draw with West Ham. Additionally, Attwell has handed out one penalty, which came in Brentford’s 3-1 win over Leeds United.

On Saturday, Attwell, who has been a full-time official since 2008, will be assisted by Adam Nunn and Eddie Smart, with Graham Scott the fourth official.