Nathan Wood says everyone at Swansea City has been fully behind boss Russell Martin during the club's recent struggles.
The Swans had serious aspirations of challenging for a top-six place in the Championship this season but, in conjunction with what was a dreadful January transfer window, saw their play-off hopes evaporate courtesy of a run of just three wins in 21 league matches.
However, Martin's men have improved of late and ended a six-game winless run thanks to a deserved 2-0 triumph over Bristol City on Sunday, with Liam Cullen and Olivier Ntcham both netting to seal all three points for the Swans.
And Wood - who was part of the post-match huddle that saw players and coaches unite on the pitch after the success against the Robins - says the club are now able to draw a line under their tough spell as they bid to rack up more points in their final eight games of the season after the international break.
"I think the gaffer just wanted to get us all together and draw a line under the tough run we've had," the defender said of the huddle.
"What everyone doesn't see is how together we are on a day-to-day basis, after wins, defeats, draws or a tough day in training, we just always stick together.
"That's one thing about this group, I think it's really important how together we are and it was just a show of togetherness.
"We're all behind each other, we're all behind the manager and we're all behind the staff and I think that was just a symbol of that really. I think it was important to draw a line under the run we've been on and look ahead instead of looking back."
The likes of Cullen, Ntcham and Liam Walsh rightly earned praise for their efforts against Nigel Pearson's side, although Wood once again demonstrated why he is so highly rated by Swansea's coaching staff with a magnificent display against the Robins.
Indeed, Wood won five aerial duels while also blocking one shot and making three interceptions, a clearance and a tackle during the contest.
But it was in possession where the 20-year-old yet again fully displayed his qualities and confidence, regularly showing calm to help the hosts play out from the back at the Swansea.com Stadium while also demonstrating a real willingness to carry the ball upfield - with one lung-busting run in the final seconds of the first half earning Wood applause from the Jack Army.
In beating Bristol City, Swansea kept their first clean sheet of 2023, something Wood admits was a key aim for the squad following a run of conceding sloppy goals.
"That's what we've been aiming for, every game of the season you aim for a clean sheet as a defensive unit," he explained.
"Today we got that and it was very good for us. Hopefully we can keep more clean sheets because that's what's been missing.
"It was an important game for us, we knew we had to get a result. It's been coming in the past three games I think.
"Our performances have been getting better and better, we just needed the three points to go with it, that's all that's been missing but today we got that. It's very important for us to go into the international break and kick on."
Head coach Martin previously admitted it was crucial for his players to claim a win before the international break, particularly given that south Wales rivals Cardiff City are their next opponents.
Having won the reverse fixture 2-0 in October, Swansea are now bidding to secure a second successive double over the Bluebirds having become the first side in history to achieve the feat last season.
And Wood admits he's relishing the opportunity to test himself in front of a fervent Cardiff City Stadium crowd for the first time when Swansea make the short trip east up the M4.
"The feeling of getting three points is something we haven't felt for a while, so to feel it and know what it's like again is important going into a derby for confidence," added the central defender.
"It's exciting, it's my first time playing at Cardiff, hopefully if I play. It's a big game, a rivalry and these are the best games to play in as a player.
"Hopefully we can have a repeat of today and a repeat of what happened there last season."
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