SYDNEY Swans defender Paul Bevan has indicated that his side has adopted a 'season starts now' attitude as it looks to protect its place in the top four.

The Swans face a tough run home with clashes against Geelong and the Western Bulldogs plus a date with bogey side Collingwood in round 21.

"We know that we’ve got a really tough draw coming home," Bevan said.

"We’ve had a couple of meetings and we’ve said that the season starts from now. We’ve got seven games to go and we’ve got to win four or five of those to remain in the top four.

"We’ve got a big challenge ahead of us so hopefully we can get off to a good start this weekend against Carlton."

The 23-year-old is quick to admit the Swans will have to improve on their last two outings, which have brought losses to the Magpies and Hawthorn after a six-game winning streak.

"If we continue to play like we have over the last two weeks, we’re not going to be in the top four," he said.

"We’ve got to improve significantly … the break physically has really benefited a lot of guys who are a bit injury-prone but maybe it’s taken our focus off the game plan so hopefully this week we can put it together."

While Bevan concedes the Pies and Hawks beat the Swans at their own game, he insists the losses haven’t prompted any revision.

"We’re very confident that if we play to our game plan that we can play some really good footy," he said.

"So we don’t change our game plan. We know that if we have 22 players playing their role, we’re a good team."