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The First Six Or Seven Weeks Will Be Tough
The First Six Or Seven Weeks Will Be Tough
Sunday, 3rd Aug 2008 08:02

Roberto Martinez admits that the first six or seven weeks of his Championship campaign will be tough

Martinez was speaking as he starts to put the final touches to his Championship strategy as the first man in 24 years to lead the Swans in the second tier of English football.

Last season's League One success was a fantastic first season in management for the former Swans captain who was uncermoniously dumped from the club by his former manager Kenny Jackett only to come back a little over six months later to replace the man when he left the managerial hot seat.

92 points later in his first full season and instead of an opening fixture last season at Oldham, the Swans head to the Valley next weekend to kick off their Championship campaign.   Optimism remains high at the Liberty that the Swans can carry on their great form of last season but their manager knows that it won't all be plain sailing and he laughs off suggestions that sides will underestimate his team.

Speaking to today's Wales on Sunday, Martinez also spoke about the complete change of style that he introduced when he first arrived, saying “Yes, it was a big change of approach and the start is always the shock when that happens

“Fans had to be prepared for that, as well as the players, and it was important we had the support to do things in the right way and play the game in the right way.

“But to see if you can win football games while you do that was a big thing, to go out and prove it on the pitch.

“Because for everything you say, if you don’t win football games it doesn’t take you anywhere.

“There is a sense that we have to keep our belief in what we are doing even when things are not going our way

“But I think we have already shown a bit of that. Look back at last year and it wasn’t always as rosy as we like to think of it now.

“We had to develop that winning mentality – and it will be the same this season. The first six or seven weeks will be difficult for us and it will be a huge test of the psychological side of things.

“What we all must remember is, if things do not go our way to start with, that this challenge is over 10 months and not two months.

“We know we need to compete and we will do it by taking solid steps with a squad that still need to get used to this level but, in time, will be fantastic assets for Swansea City.

“But I’m not sure whether we actually will be under-estimated by anyone,” Martinez added.

“I don’t buy the fact teams don’t know what to expect from you, not nowadays, and by August everyone will know everything about everyone else.

“And the way we won the league last year we will always have a respect and teams will look at us and should know we will be a force if we adapt well enough. Teams will be alert of us and it will make it tough – but I’d rather it that way than to have crept here by the back door.”

Photo: Action Images



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