Wayne looking for consistency

Wayne Routledge insists consistency is the buzzword around the Swansea City squad as they head for the final straight of the Premier League season.

The Swans welcome Crystal Palace to the Liberty Stadium this afternoon in what is a crucial game for both sides.

Palace sit just two points and two places outside the relegation zone at the time of writing, while Garry Monk’s side are four points clear of safety.

And if either side can claim all three points, it could go a long way to ensuring another season in the top-flight.

But Routledge, who comes up against his former club this afternoon, believes that putting a run of results together will be key between now and May.

“There’s no getting away from the fact that we’ve got games coming up where we can potentially pick up a lot of points,” he said.

“But it is down to ourselves to get the consistency in our performances in order to pick up those points.

“Consistency is going to be key, especially when there are this many games in such a short space of time.

“Everyone knows what they are going to get when they play Swansea, but it’s now up to us to put that together on a regular basis.”

Routledge started his career at today’s opponents, making over 100 appearances for Crystal Palace after breaking into the first-team at just 16.

The winger was part of the side that won promotion to the Premier League via the Play-Offs in 2005, beating West Ham 1-0 at the Millennium Stadium.

Routledge made 40 appearances in the top-flight as the Eagles were relegated on the final day of the season, but credits his hometown club for starting his football education.

“It’s where it all started for me,” he said. “The reverse fixture earlier this season was the first chance that I’d had to go back to Selhurst Park since I left.

“It was nice to go back because that’s the place where I learnt everything about football.

“But it also was nice to pick up the three points and a clean sheet, and it would be great if we could do the same this afternoon.

“Palace taught me everything and I owe them more or less everything. I don't know where I would have been without them.

“When I left it wasn't on great terms but I did it for the right reasons, it is what it is and I am where I am now.Both sides need the points so it’s got all the ingredients to be a good game.”

Crystal Palace returned to the Premier League this season following a Play-Off Final win over Watford at Wembley.

However, the Londoners endured a difficult start to the campaign under Ian Holloway, winning just once in their first 11 games.

That run prompted the arrival of Tony Pulis as manager, with Palace’s form seeing a vast improvement in recent months.

“Tony Pulis has gone in there and he obviously has a way of playing and how he sees things developing,” said Routledge.

“But it’s definitely getting them results, and their performances have been a lot more solid in recent months and we know it is going to be a tough game because they have got some good players.

“(Mile) Jedinak does a sound job for them in midfield, while the likes of Jason Puncheon and (Marouane) Chamakh have got great ability as well.

“They have players that we’ll need to keep an eye on.”

Today’s game marks the end of what has been a hectic period for the club.

As well as the arrival of Garry Monk as head coach, the squad have played 14 times since the turn of the year.

Swansea suffered their first league defeat of Monk’s tenure last weekend against Liverpool in a thrilling 4-3 reverse.

And Routledge paid tribute to his team-mates as they focus returns to Premier League matters this afternoon.

“The way this club operates, they don’t get rid of managers,” he said.

“But the decision was made and with us being the tight group that we are, we’ve all got behind Monks and we are working very hard to get this club away from the relegation zone.

“Everyone is giving everything they’ve got and that is showing in our performances. We were very unlucky not to take anything away from Anfield last weekend, and we played very well against Napoli at home.

“But the games have been coming thick and fast and we just need to keep putting those performances together between now and the end of the season.”