Russell Martin most certainly didn’t look like a man under pressure this morning when he spoke to the media prior to tomorrows away game at Blackpool. In fact he came across as exceptionally realistic, extremely aware of the clubs financial position and supportive of the players he has managed to recruit and keep this summer so far. Even those self motivated, selfish players.
On the fans feelings towards the swans expenditure this summer Martin stated "I understand the position the club is in, the owners situation and what they expect. Unfortunately we have to accept that is the model of the club, people get upset about that, there’s a big financial hole to fill, and that’s the business model of this club that we try and fill with player sales. They have reinvested a little bit with Harry Darling and Nathan Wood, it’s not as if we haven’t done anything, we’ve done what I think is really smart business and business within our model. This is what I’ve said to you all along, I knew this when I came”
On the subject of promoting players from within Martin said "Out financial situation at the club, which is really stable compared to a lot but at the same time doesn’t want to go any further into debt. Our job is to accelerate the learning and progress and development of our young players and try and get them in to the first team”
That sounds all well and good, but with three very different forwards now on loan elsewhere they must now be feeling that they don’t match up to Russell Martin’s brief on development and progress ? When asked about Jordon Garrick and not playing for the swans again, and him being out of contract next year, Martin did answer that question to an extent. "Possibly I don’t know, if I can’t promise him to play football and he wants to play football. He hasn’t been able to establish himself at this club and he’s at an age where you really should be knocking on the door and be playing” It was a similar response when Martin was asked about Kyle Joseph. He just isn’t at this moment in time good enough.
Selfish Swansea City players
The most startling revelation for us was the mention of players who have needed a form of specific guidance as a result of the transfer window detracting from concentrating on Swansea City. Martin was clear "I think the transfer window is crazy, I hate the fact it’s open beyond the season starting, I don’t think it’s good for players. I think it’s probably affecting one or two of ours recently and we have tried to navigate through that and chat our way through that with those players, because it is distracting”
Swansea Independent View
The only players that would possibly be distracted are those connected to big money moves, so here’s something from a Swansea City supporters website to those players. "Get on with it, you are paid handsomely for what you do in OUR clubs shirt. Your selfish attitude is as much to blame for the past two league results as the manager. We had enough nonsense from Paterson last season, which was inexcusable and childish, don’t join the queue’
And that’s us being as professional as we can with these people. The world doesnt spin around you, you are in a privileged position, get a mirror and grow up.
Deep breath.
Swansea City will arrive in the north west tomorrow early afternoon after a stopover at a regular venue when travelling long distances tonight. Then they will be greeted by over 1,500 Swansea City fans who are desperate to see Russell Martin do well and see the swans victorious for the first time since April last season. It’s been a tough start to the current season, with more application and effort tomorrow though and of course three points - all will be forgiven.
For now that is.