Carlos Carvalhal has stressed that he is not looking to just entertain "like a clown" and that he is serious about steering Swansea City to Premier League safety.

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

Carvalhal admits that his positivity is rubbing off on his players, but is eager to emphasise that he is also capable of being serious when it comes to the task at hand.

"I don't work on the circus, so I'm not here to make fun like a clown," the former Sheffield Wednesday boss told Wales Online on Thursday.

"I like a joke and some fun, but the motivation and atmosphere is about everything together. I look at things in the environment where things are connected. Everything is connected, defence and attack.

"If you can do a job with the player it does not make you a better manager than someone with a different profile. I think to be in a clever way you can show personality but know what you have in your hands and how you behave and adapt to things in front of you.

"The manager must wear different faces sometimes. When you have stress or negativity the best way is to make people smile, more relaxed and show what they have. This is the key to changing things, it is the players, manager, staff and fans. But we have achieved nothing so far."

Swansea return to Premier League action on Saturday with a home game against Burnley.