When Coventry City manager Chris Coleman led his team to a ten match winless run last autumn, he was grateful to the support he had from his chairman Ray Ranson.
When the poor run came to an abrupt end with 'City going on a three match unbeaten run in December, Mr Coleman acknowledged the support he had from Mr Ranson. Coleman said, "When we had that bad run the strongest character, the man who kept a level head and never changed from one game to the other, was the chairman."
"If you're in that position as a manager, you're in a very good position. Thankfully the chairman's been rock solid for me, and that's good for a manager because you know he's thinking long term."
Last time Coventry City met Swansea, 'City's Tuesday night opponents,Coventry led the Championship table after winning seven points from three games, but Ashley Williams scored in a 1-0 win for Swansea at the Ricoh Arena in late August.
Coleman continued, "I knew it was going to be a long, hard season,I never thought we'd just jump straight into the play-offs. I always thought it would be in stages and I've been proved to be right. We need to be in and around the top half this year and improve on our squad. The question then is can we mount a challenge for the top six."
Coventry have benefited from the return to form of striker Freddy Eastwood, who has scored five times since the start of December.
Coleman claimed, "This is the best squad I've had in the two years I've been here. Everything's in place really. We're just putting the final pieces together which is the hardest part. That's getting a team ready, but we've taken great strides since last season. The team, squad and club is in a very good position."