Swansea City go in to tomorrow nights game against Stoke City with a gap to fill and that’s the ever increasing one between them and the Championship play offs. The responses from Russell Martin after yet another last gasp defeat at Blackburn Rovers on Saturday are beginning to annoy some of the most ardent of Swansea fans, and it’s all wearing a bit thin.
Stoke are looking for points as they are in a precarious position near to the foot of the league table. Since their return to action after the World Cup the Potters have won three league games out of eleven, and went down 1-0 to Blackpool on Saturday, albeit they were very unlucky, the Swans know all about that.
When we look at the form tables for both sides it’s a clear picture of lower half for Stoke this season and mid table for the Swans, the latest positions are below.
It seems an impossible task for Swansea to string together any sort of run of winning form and Stoke when they do win, they win handsomely. They have beaten Reading 4-0 and Huddersfield Town 3-0 since the turn of the year, but can falter badly in games very easily as well. Aside those two impressive home wins for Stoke, both the Swans and Potters share similar form with frustrating losses and draws. It’s also nice to see the fixture computer turning this game round from a midweek away game for the Swans at Stoke to a home match. Swans fans have turned out in decent numbers away from home in midweek at Stoke, but still received derisory comments, let’s see how they fair with the boot on the other foot tomorrow night.
Russell Martin is finding the going getting much harder since the turn of the year. He is always looking for positives but surely now that search is looking more and more desperate ? The Swans haven’t beaten Stoke at home since 2020, and over the last six fixtures between the sides they have lost three, won two and one game has been drawn. They are generally hard fixtures for Swansea City, but tomorrow night there has to be a real effort to change their own fortunes in this third game in a run of eight Russell Martin has cited as so important.
After this game it’s Rotherham United at home next Monday before a very difficult set of fixtures. Following the visit of the Millers it’s Luton away, Middlesbrough at home, Millwall away and Bristol City at home.Then comes the international break. Picking a win out of the last four is difficult. We have no choice come that international break but to analyse and review where Russell Martin has performed this season, and overall as Swans head coach. That will be eighty four league games in charge at Swansea City, time enough for the majority to have the opinion on his tenure, and of course on his future.
Swansea City v Stoke City kicks off at 7.45 pm tomorrow night at the Swansea.Com stadium. Tickets are still available.
Follow the build up to the game on our football forum.
Click here –> Swans v Stoke