Russell Martin had the best gift he could have wished for this weekend, and that was three points after a dominant display over Bristol City. The result, a 2-0 win saw the Swans rise to forty six points in the EFL Championship and to relative safety from relegation fears with eight games to go.
His side did have the odd wobble during the game yesterday but overall were excellent value for the win with some stand out performances from his higher profiled players. Those performances have been a long time coming from the likes of Olivier Ntcham as an example, but Russell Martin wanted to include all his squad in an end of game huddle. "Tough times don't last. I think we've learnt too much as a group of staff over this period, I think the players have as well. I think we all realise what's really important, it's to always try and play this way and to have the courage to do it first and foremost, the courage to stick to it, and then the willingness to work so hard for it and they showed that today”
People will be looking for reasons for the recent improvements in this Swans side as it has been a marked upward trend throughout the month. The ability to switch formations as we saw yesterday possibly more of an endorsement of Russell Martin’s desire for total football than a negative. Leading on his comments post match were a natural reinforcement that he has the same belief as ever in his squad. "I think the lads rose in confidence after Tuesday and we have been building for the last few weeks. We're back to where we want to be and today we got what we deserved. I think it would have been much more difficult over the next couple of weeks, if we didn’t win today, with the game that we have next. So I am really pleased that they were able to perform with that courage and intensity, the desire to win. I think it will be so important for us moving forward "
The uplifting result will do wonders for the Swans who now have nearly two weeks to indoctrinate the squad in to ‘derby mode’ as a desperate Cardiff City go searching for a win to ease their relegation worries. Swansea City will be more than happy to enhance those concerns come Saturday week. The Bluebirds have won only one game in the last eight meetings, drawing one and losing six. No longer will there be talk of a first seasonal double leading up to the game, just a double double. Looks like a happy hour of football if the swans can once again crush their neighbours.
We will leave the final comments to the Swans head coach. "The players are fighting, they're working so hard. The most important thing is they are showing real belief in what they are doing and courage to carry it out. We're not going to get carried away with one win, we need to build on that now. But I think it gives us a real positive place to build from "
Our derby day build up has started, and we will also have a fantastic and informative match day thread on the forthcoming Croatia v Wales Euros 24 qualifier on Saturday evening.
That’s here –> Croatia v Wales Match Day Thread