Monk is set to make his 200th Swansea City appearance on Sunday

Captain Garry Monk says he cannot explain the slump in Swansea City's form that has seen them drop out of the Championship play-offs.

The Swans had held a top-six spot since December but were replaced by Blackpool after being beaten at Sheffield United on Saturday going into the final game.

They must now beat Doncaster on Sunday and hope Bristol City either win or draw at Blackpool the same afternoon.

"There's no explanation - who knows? I can't even answer it," said Monk.

"I don't feel confidence is any lower in the squad. Everyone's confident and nothing's really changed.

"At the end of the day our effort and commitment has been there all season."

But Monk believes the seventh-placed Swans, who have won just three of their last 11 league games, have not been helped by refereeing decisions that have gone against them, particularly against promotion rivals.

Darren Pratley was denied a clear-cut penalty at Nottingham Forest, who went on to beat the Swans 1-0 thanks to a last-minute Luke Chambers header from a corner which the Welsh side felt should never have been given.

We never do things easy here at Swansea and it's never come in my time here Swansea City captain Garry Monk

And in the home match against West Bromich Albion, defender Angel Rangel was harshly adjudged to have fouled Giles Barnes in the box at a crucial time of the game. The Swans went on to lose 2-0.

West Brom have since clinched automatic promotion to the Premier League while Forest have confirmed their play-off place, along with Cardiff City and Leicester City.

But it was not only against promotion rivals decisions went against Swansea.

They were held at struggling Plymouth Argyle after the home side were allowed to retake a penalty three minutes from time, when goalkeeper Dorus de Vries was ruled to have moved off his line.

The Dutchman had saved that first penalty and video replays showed it was a harsh decision to penalise him.

"It's one of those situations where quite a few decisions have gone against us in certain games, but had those decisions gone for us you're looking at a totally different points gathering," added Monk.

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"We are talking small margins in football - a decision here and a decision there that changes the complexion of the season."

Swansea City trail Blackpool by one point and must win their own game before relying on Bristol City drawing with or beating Ian Holloway's side who have won six of their last seven matches.

A Swansea draw and Blackpool defeat at Bloomfield Road will not be enough due to the Welsh side's far inferior goal difference.

"We never do things easy here at Swansea and it's never come in my time here or the time before, so we're looking for one of those days where it can all go right for us," said Monk, who joined the club in 2004 and will make his 200th club appearance if he faces Doncaster on Sunday.

"We have to get our performance right and that's the biggest thing. If we don't win our game it doesn't matter what anyone else is doing.

"A win for us is all we can ask for. That's what we have to do and hope Bristol City can put in a performance for their new manager Steve Coppell and get a result against Blackpool.

"Of course we will probably hear from the crowd if there's a goal, you can't help it, but the focus and concentration has to be massive for us and we have to win our game, simple as that."

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