Swansea will get through this, says defiant Monk

Swansea City manager Garry Monk insists his players will come through a difficult period after defeat to Stoke City extended their winless run to six matches in all competitions.

The Welsh side have not won since famously beating Manchester United in August and were consigned to a frustrating 1-0 home loss on Monday by Bojan Krkic's early penalty.

But Monk believes his team have the strength to turn around their struggles ahead of a crucial game against struggling Aston Villa on Saturday.

"I would be lying if I said I am not concerned but I am not overly concerned," he said.

"We went five games last season without winning and everyone said that was a difficult period and we ended up having a fantastic season.

"I am more than confident in the group that I have. I am not worried. We'll come through it no problem."

Monk feels Swansea need to show more consistency in their performances if they are to get out of their current slump.

"As a group we are not performing how we should be and how we want to," he added.

"Overall I just think we are in a difficult moment. The last four league games we are just not quite at the levels we need to be and that's disappointing because we all know – especially myself – how capable this group is and the football we can produce.

"We have all had difficult moments before, including me as a manger last season. It is about coming through this period and making sure we up our performances. They are experienced guys. A lot of the players that are so consistent and reliable are at this moment suffering a little bit and not hitting the levels capable of, I think that is very clear.

"Of course your confidence gets affected when you are not performing or getting the results. Consistency of performances have not been right this season – we have had some good ones and then some low ones."

Monk felt Jack Butland should have been penalised for a challenge on Andre Ayew outside the box after he had miscued a clearance.

"It is a definite foul [by Butland] for sure," said the Swansea boss. "I don't think the ref knew too much about what a foul was tonight.

"I have not seen any replays back yet. I just knew at the time it was a definite foul, but that was not the reason we lost the game.

"Their penalty? Yeah, it was a penalty. We made a mistake higher up the field with the ball and they broke very quickly. We had a chance to stop it, we didn't and then the second time we dived in and it is a foul."