Swansea City manager Russell Martin was full of praise for his young side against premier league opposition when reflecting on the 2-0 league cup loss. He was right of course, the chances created and the way the swans played at times was superb.
Led by Jay Fulton in midfield, and the addition of Korey Smith the swans really should have won this game, or at least taken it to penalties. Morgan Whittaker was excellent up top and some of his fast thinking interplay was a joy to watch. Why would any club loan him out to league one is a mystery.
"I thought we were excellent for large parts of the game. We started brilliantly and pressed really aggressively and high," said the Swans boss. We got a few chances off the back of that, and we should have scored early on because we had some fantastic chances, so that’s frustrating” No problems there Russell Martin clearly had an exact game plan which was executed extremely well from the off.
After the initial storm was countered by Brighton Martin stated " We went a little nervy then. We had seven guys who are 22 or under in the starting XI, and we kicked it away too much and took too many easy options without showing the intensity to really hurt Brighton and play through them. That was the frustration at half-time. It came after we had conceded two poor goals, and we’ll go away and analyse that. We went a little bit away from what we’re about, but in the second half we asked them to get back to what we’re working on and be brave. That started with Steven Benda, who I thought was great. The decisions he made and the way he played in the second half compared to the first half was brilliant.
On the second half opportunities Martin was pleased but also disappointed "The intensity and amount of chances we created by playing through the press — it was really outstanding at times. We had five huge chances inside their box, but we didn’t score. That’s frustrating because if we score then it becomes a different game as we were on top. top. "I was frustrated for the guys because they deserved it for their efforts, especially in the second half. The lack of fear in the second half — we played with complete courage and conviction in what we want to be — was very pleasing. It gives us a lot to be positive about, a lot to look forward to, and a lot to analyse and learn from.”
On Korey Smith returning Martin was delighted "It was fantastic for Korey. At Blackburn on the opening day he was one of our better players, and the same tonight,”. It was a shame he didn’t score because he deserved it. He brings a lot as a character as much as a player. He will add a lot to us, and he will surprise a lot of people with what he is capable of doing because it’s a different role to what he’s had before. He’s looked great in training, took his opportunity well at Brighton, and got over 60 minutes into his legs. He’ll be stronger for it.”
As is often with the swans this season, dominance of a game and the ball is creating many chances, it’s just that those chances are not being put away. Had the swans done so last night you can be assured a fourth round draw would have been on the cards. We move on to Huddersfield Town at home on Saturday, kick off 3pm for the next instalment of the Russell Martin revolution which I have to say I am very much enjoying.