Tiendalli confident Swans will turn the corner

Eleventh-placed Swansea face a challenging run of fixtures over the festive period, including meetings with Chelsea and Manchester City.

But they head to Stamford Bridge on St Stephen’s Day buoyed by memories of their win there in the Capital One Cup semi-final first leg last season.

And defender Dwight Tiendalli hopes it can start a good run for the Welsh club, who have won just two of their last nine games.

He said: “We have a very tough schedule – Chelsea, Aston Villa, Manchester City – and we have to start picking up points, starting on Boxing Day against Chelsea.

“It’s going to be tough but we have confidence that we can pick up points

“We did well there last year and we are confident we can beat anyone if we play 100 per cent. We must keep our head up even if it’s not going good, we have to stay positive.

“Of course we are playing a good side but if we are 100 per cent we can be a dangerous team.”

Defeat for Swansea against Everton on Sunday summed up a frustrating first half of the season, where their usual fluid build-up play has not yielded a cutting edge in front of goal.

And they were made to pay as Everton starlet Ross Barkley thumped home a stunning late free-kick winner.

Tiendalli believes that England should take Barkley to the World Cup and that the midfielder’s age should not act as a barrier to him performing in Brazil.

Tiendalli, whose prodded shot hit Bryan Oviedo for Swansea’s equaliser after Seamus Coleman’s opener, sees no reason why the Toffees starlet would not light up Brazil if Hodgson has the courage of his convictions to select him.

“Barkley is a very good player, everyone can see it, it is very clear,” said the Dutchman.

“There is no reason he can’t go to the World Cup.

“He is young but it does not matter, if you are good enough you are old enough and he could be a very important player for England.”