Swansea City boss Carlos Carvalhal has declared himself "no clown" as he attempts to lift spirits around the club.

Since taking over from Paul Clement, Carvalhal has guided Swansea out of the Premier League relegation zone as well as into the fifth round of the FA Cup after an 8-1 win over Notts County.

The former Sheffield Wednesday boss says providing an uplift to his players has been important, but not the only factor behind their improved form.

He said: "I don't work in the circus. I'm not a clown!

"You ask about motivation and atmosphere, and I answer it is everything together. I look to do things in the echo environment where things make sense if they are connected.

"Everything must be connected - the things you talk, the things you are feeling.

"If you are more open and can do a joke with a player it doesn't make another manager better than one that has a different profile."