Swansea City return to league action tomorrow against a West Bromwich Albion side that isn’t in the best of form. In fact their league position is somewhat perilous with them only out of the bottom three on goal difference. Steve Bruce will most certainly be wanting three points against the swans tomorrow.

Russell Martin’s Swansea aren’t in that much better shape only two points ahead of the baggies but in sixteenth place after a better run of form before the international break. It’s the start of a two game away test with Watford coming up on Wednesday evening at Vicarage Road.

Martin as ever calm and reassuring when asked about his thoughts on the effects of the international break was philosophical. “I’m not sure we will see tomorrow won’t we, we were starting to build some nice momentum that’s for sure, especially in performances, seven points from four games. Sheffield United was the one defeat and that could have been very different. We were in a really good place by the time the Hull game finished, and I think they are in a really good place now after a bit of rest and a lot of hard work”

On Michael Obafemi, Martin said “ It’s just a case of deserving his place back in the squad. Michael comes back here in a better place and much more ready to contribute to us as well” It was clear that Martin and Obafemi needed to talk when the player returned from his successful Irish stint during the last two weeks. No mention was made as to the comments about ‘ Stephen Kenny having his back’ but the finger in the ear goal stunt was apparently about all the noise around him. As we have already said, maybe Michael should have a think about who it was who started all the noise in the first place. For us, it’s again about him, and if Russell Martin is learning anything about the management of players like Obafemi it’s that some just want everything to be about them, and not the team. Again as we have seen and heard recently.

Martin said “ We always enjoy Michael when he is at his best, and when he is the best version of himself even though he has ups and downs, and he’s had a fair few ups and downs” That’s put that to bed hopefully now we can see Michael in the finest of form in a Swansea shirt. On Ben Cabango Martin was very pleased with his performance for Wales against Poland. “He grew in confidence as the game went on, I think that will do him the world of good, he was one of Wales better performers on the night. Really, really proud of him and pleased for him, If he continues his form for us and he has been really outstanding then I’m sure he has every chance of being involved “ ( in the World Cup )

It was pleasing to hear Russell Martin’s thoughts today on where he sees the club after fourteen months the helm. “We signed a fairly long contract for a manager and coaching staff, it’s a huge project really, we knew what it was going to be, we knew how difficult it was going to be and we knew there would be people (at the club) who didn’t really fancy the project or the time it would take to rebuild. We are really pleased at the foundations we have built since we got here, we feel we are getting to where we want to get to, it’s not happening as quick as some people would like it. When the guys have to learn so much and ‘unlearn’ things as well it isn’t easy. I’m really comfortable here and if the club decided they wanted to keep us longer, yes we would be up for that of course, but I’m really relaxed about it and really not in any rush”

That’s good news to hear from the swans manager, he has worked exceptionally hard to get the club in to the state it is in today, and for us that’s a positive one, especially on the budget restraints at the club.

On the games to come Martin smiled but was confident “ We have eleven games before the World Cup, seven of them are away, we have a really, really tough schedule there’s no doubt about it. After this run of games it will be a real indication as to where we are at. We can really compete against anyone, and we showed that against Sheffield United, they sit on top of the league. This is a big one for us, it’s been frustrating the start we’ve had, we should have more points, so now we have to go and get those points and put them on the board. The players are really up for the challenge, really ready, and we hope they can retain the levels of performance over the last six games”

It’s a big run of games for the swans as we have already reported on this week, there does seem a freshness and revitalised feel to Russell Martin going in to this latest run of fixtures. And it all starts tomorrow at West Bromwich Albion.

Martin

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