Sousa urges Swans to keep their cool

PAULO Sousa reckons Scunthorpe United may try to wind up Swansea City this weekend — but is backing his players to keep their heads.

Sousa accused Scunthorpe of provocation after three Swans saw red during the sides' dramatic Carling Cup clash back in August.

The Swansea boss reckons the Iron could again try to get under his players' skin when they clash in the Championship tomorrow.

And though Sousa believes the Glanford Park factor may count against them, the Portuguese expects his team to cope.

"It could be that they try to provoke us again," he said.

"But I don't think it will affect us. We need to focus on the things we do well, and that means playing football.

"I said they provoked us last time and it's possible they will try to do the same, but I expect my players to concentrate on the football.

"My players are stronger mentally than they were in August. Also as a team we are stronger than we were then.

"They have better confidence in themselves and we need to play our football because that's the only way we can beat our opponents.

"I talked to my players after the cup game and since then we have worked to keep our focus on the game and what we want to do in the game, nothing else."

Garry Monk (butting), Gorka Pintado (two fouls) and Angel Rangel (elbowing) all saw red as Scunthorpe won 2-1 at the Liberty early in the season.

All three players accepted their dismissals and served bans, but Sousa blamed Scunthorpe for what went on.

Opposite number Nigel Adkins shrugged off those claims, arguing that Swansea's lack of discipline had cost them.

But Sousa insists there will be no problem between the two managers this weekend, saying: "Of course I will shake his hand.

"In my relationships with everyone there is respect and I have respect for him. But of course I need to defend my players.

"When I need to criticise my players it will be done within the family, not in the press."

Swansea's hopes of avenging the cup defeat — if not anything else that went on — have been boosted by news that Monk should be fit to return after three games out with a calf problem.

The captain's comeback should see Alan Tate switch to left-back, while Nathan Dyer is pushing for a recall on the right flank.

While Swansea look to stretch their unbeaten sequence to nine games, Scunthorpe aim to extend a good run at home.

Defeat at Manchester City on Wednesday made it five without a win on the road, but Adkins's men have not lost on their own patch in five and beat Newcastle last time out.

"It's hard to explain, but maybe it's the environment they have at home," Sousa said.

"The fans are close to the players and they pressure the referee all the time to give them free-kicks.

"They use the crowd well and I hope we have a referee who will not be pressured by the fans."