MICHAEL Laudrup has told Swansea City they must sharpen up defensively to win their battle for a top-ten finish in the Premier League.
Laudrup is billing Saturday's meeting with Southampton as a key fixture for Swansea as they bid to end their season in style.
And the Swansea manager admits his team need to build from the back against the in-form Saints.
Laudrup's men have been uncharacteristically loose in recent weeks, letting in two goals a game since their last clean sheet came against Newcastle in early March.
"We have conceded too many," Laudrup said.
"We have played against Arsenal and Tottenham, and when you play sides like that it can happen because of the individual quality they have.
"But even in the other games (against West Brom and Norwich), we have conceded too many goals.
"Eight goals in four games is too much. I have been pleased with the overall performances we have produced in all our games since the cup final, but we have conceded too easily in that period."
Laudrup's defensive disappointments could see Angel Rangel restored to the Swansea starting side against Southampton.
Pablo Hernandez will also hope for a recall after being dropped to the bench at Norwich last time out, but Laudrup will not use the final weeks of the season to give any fringe players a chance.
The Dane is determined to maintain Swansea's standards throughout the last month of the campaign even though their major goals for 2012-13 have been achieved. Laudrup reckons his team deserve a top-half spot come May 19 — but concedes they still have to earn it.
And he believes a win over Southampton — who are unbeaten in five games — may be vital to their chances.
The South Coast club's upturn in form means they have become mid-table rivals for Swansea.
"They are now thinking about the top ten," Laudrup added.
"Not long ago people were talking about Southampton being one of the five or six candidates to go down, but they will be level on points with us if they beat us. They have some okay games left, so they can go for the top ten like us."
Mauricio Pochettino (right) has been a big influence since arriving at Southampton in January, the Argentine taking 16 points from his first 11 games in charge.
"I came up against him when he was (coach) at Espanyol and I was with Mallorca," Laudrup said.
"He has started well at Southampton.
"They had a little bad run, but lately they have been really good."
