Sunday 5 March 2017 13:29, UK
Swansea City left-back Martin Olsson has conceded that in-form forward Fernando Llorente is a nightmare to defend against, even in training.
Llorente has 11 league goals so far this season for the Swans and notched another couple of strikes in their last-gasp 3-2 victory over Burnley at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday.
The Spaniard joined Swansea on a two-year deal in the summer from Sevilla and has settled in well in his maiden Premier League season, particularly since the arrival of manager Paul Clement.
Swedish full-back Olsson has admitted he has full sympathy for league defenders up and down the country, having witnessed first hand what the 6'4" striker is capable of.
"Fernando is the same in training, he wins absolutely everything in the air," said Olsson.
"He is a nightmare when we do attack versus defence in training. All the lads try to avoid him.
"Even if you try to elbow him a bit to put him off he is a strong, strong guy.
"He has been at big clubs before, but he is a really humble guy and he works so hard. The whole team's style of play suits him."
The Swans had fallen 2-1 behind to Burnley, thanks in no small part to a refereeing error from Anthony Taylor, who awarded Sean Dyche's men a penalty despite the handball in the area actually coming from Burnley forward Sam Vokes.
Olsson admitted though that the belief instilled form Clement drove them on to victory regardless of the officials' mistake.
"When the penalty decision went against us we did not want to feel sorry for ourselves," added Olsson.
"We did not want the referee to decide the game, so we just kept going and managed to win.
"We have got the momentum to get out of this [relegation trouble]. It does not matter how we play, the mentality is there and the gaffer and the staff have it too.
"We feel that we are going to get something out of every game and it is in our own hands now, we are not relying on anyone else."
Swansea have won five out of Clement's opening eight games as boss, picking up 12 points from 19 games, with the Swans next due to face Hull at the KCOM on March 11.
