Swansea City's late surge towards the play-offs continues tomorrow with the visit of Bristol City to the Liberty Stadium.
Other results will have to go the way of the South Wales club in order for the Swans to reach their target of that last play-off spot. Nonetheless Roberto Martinez has always maintained his belief that 74 points will be good enough to see the club's season go into overtime.
However facing a resilient Bristol City side themselves with a very slim chance of leapfrogging both Swansea, Preston and Burnley to the last play-off berth, the Spaniard is not discounting the threat posed by the Ashton Gate club, he told Planet Swans “Bristol city always brings the glamour feeling about it and mathematically they are not out of the play-off race they still have a chance and they will come here with a huge desire to try and get all three points.”
He added "They are in a dangerous position for us and they have got nothing to lose and will enjoy their football, and they can give a really open game along the lines that Norwich city gave.”
With results needed even the relaxed demeanor of the master of his own unique brand of total football will not compromise on getting the right performances , he added “We need to master our performances, if we don't we wont get there. If we get there we will get there to make up the numbers. We need to make sure we finish the season strong and get the results we need by playing as good football as we played all season and then we will go into the play-offs with fantastic form and effect those play-offs, that's important. For me the performances will always give you the rewards in the long term, results can sometimes be deceiving.”
Looking for a reaction from his players,Robins boss Gary Johnson does still think the game against Swansea is a big occasion and the former Yeovil manager is not ruling out the prospect of a shock late run to a play-off place despite the chances of such a feat being remote at best as he told the Bristol Evening Post, he said “It is a big game for me and I am trying to pass that on to everybody. We will see how people react to it because I didn't feel like people thought it was a massive game on Monday.”
He added,"Let's see where we are after Saturday. If results go our way perhaps people will start looking at things differently. While there is still a small glimmer of hope you have to keep working hard and that is what I am going to be doing."
The Injury Lists:
Swansea: The Swans could be without right back Angel Rangel for the rest of the season with a heel injury whilst Guillem Bauza has been given clearance to play after picking up a knock in the reserves 5-3 win over Forest Green Rovers on Wednesday.
Tom Butler will serve the last of his three match ban against Bristol City.
Bristol: Shot-stopper Adriano Basso was a major doubt for the visitors with an ankle problem that saw the Brazilian substituted in the 1-1 draw against Ipswich, however the keeper was passed fit after a fitness test this afternoon.
Defender Bradly Orr is suspended and fellow defender Louis Carey is sidelined with a rib injury.
The Form Book:
Swansea City : LDDWW
Bristol City: DLDLD
Man In The Middle/Men On The Lines:
Referee: Mr L. Mason
Assistant Officials: A Watts and R Ganfield
Fourth Official: S Hooper
Planet Swans Prediction: Swansea City 2-1 Bristol City