Matt Oakley says criticism of Leicester City's style is wide of the mark
City's drab 1-1 draw with Ipswich last weekend led to a number of message- board respondents questioning manager Nigel Pearson's "long-ball" approach and "a team playing without width".
But Oakley insisted: "We are doing our job. There's always going to be criticism. We had a bad day against Ipswich but the result was we didn't get beaten.
"We're on target for where we want to be. We're sitting in fifth spot and we've been second and third, too."
Oakley has been used in a wide-right role as other midfield options Dany N'Guessan, Yann Kermorgant and Paul Gallagher have had to contend with places on the bench, and out-of-favour Nicky Adams yesterday joined Leyton Orient on a month's loan.
Oakley was used a lot in a wide-right role last season, but has said he prefers a more central position. He is unlikely to be shifted from the berth today and will keep a watchful eye on Swans wide-man David Cotterill.
City were caught out by Cotterill when the teams clashed in the FA Cup third-round tie at the Walkers Stadium on January 2. City won 2-1, but not before they were stunned by a wonder goal from Cotterill, a Welsh international team-mate of City's Andy King.
"He caught us cold by cutting inside with his right foot and smashing the ball into the corner," said Oakley.
"We'll have to watch for him and show him down the line. We'll want him trying to cross the ball in rather than shooting at goal."
Oakley said the Swans may be a little ring-rusty after their clash at Middlesbrough was called off.
"They are a good passing and attacking team and we'll have to be on our guard," he said. "We can't afford any complacency and we want to take a third win against them."
One of Oakley's midfield opponents today, Leon Britton, says Swansea must prove that style can overcome strength. Britton believes Leicester's more robust approach was instrumental to the win double they have already achieved this season.
"I didn't play in the Cup game, but I know that it went a similar way to the league game up there," he said.
"We got ourselves in front both times but ended up losing, so hopefully things will be different this weekend. They are a very physical team — one of the strongest in the division. They are powerful all across the pitch and they are a threat from set-pieces.
"But we have to show we can play around them. We have shown we can do that in spells in both games this season, but we have to try to do it for the whole game. They overpowered us in spells, but we have to hope our football can triumph over their power."
Swansea have been preparing for the Leicester game in an indoor facility in Llanelli. City have also been forced indoors, at their Belvoir Drive training centre, and City boss Pearson said: "The weather has been pretty poor, but it's been the same for everyone."
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