Russell Martin still holds on to January and what was clearly one of the first times in his football career he has been personally affected by the decision making of others after so many promises. You can understand that but he keeps returning to that fateful month for recruitment at the Swans, and as it’s now known February 1st was a key date.
Even though the month itself was a complete disappointment ( disaster ) and despite the well manufactured story line from the club regards West Bromwich Albion player Karlan Grant - that just rounded off a disappointing effort all round. Russell Martin has opened up again on that period of time this week. "If I really wasn't convinced in what we were doing and the people we have, I just wouldn't be here. And I mean that. I love it here, we love it, our families love it here. We love the people we're working with. I really think we have an opportunity after January to get the next transfer window right. After discussions we're having behind the scenes, I think there's a massive desire for us to sort that process out”
Martin is a genuinely nice person, that permeates with everyone who has had the pleasure of shaking his hand and looking him in the eye. However, nice guys in this case are not finishing first or last, it’s just getting a bit twitchy. Convinced the process the club remains under will be a success the head coach is adamant things will come good. "I think so yeah. No, I am. If I wasn't I'd have left on the first of February, I think that's the bottom line” So as everyone expected the thought of leaving the Swans obviously crossed his mind, and then having weighed up the hard work done and to come, and including the people he works with that option was dismissed.
In summary Martin still wants to be at Swansea, and his character and determination to remain so is more than evident, Regardless of the current situation and results isn’t it far better to have a manager who expresses himself in this way and understands what he can achieve ? The fact he is still at the club should tell us his vision is still appreciated and understood by those who do the hiring and firing.
This won’t sit well with many Swans fans, but we have to deal with the facts not a wish list of Swansea City desires. The cards are on the table from the head coach, and from within the club itself, so let’s just get those points required to stop those who love to worry, worrying. That starts at home tomorrow afternoon when Swansea City take on Bristol City a game where the team has never needed the crowd behind than it has this season.
Come on the Jacks !