Swansea City travel to Teeside, North Yorkshire on Friday still with Russell Martin’s harsh words stinging their ears after what was a shockingly poor game against Reading last Saturday. Without doubt the worst swans performance of the season.

With six days to put matters right and maybe review his squad selection Martin looked angered and disappointed when he spoke of ‘cardinal sins’ and a ‘total lack of intensity’ on reviewing his sides 3-2 loss against the Royals. Ryan Manning did score an absolute belter of a goal in that match and was possibly one of only a few swans players deserving of some praise. And in good form personally, Manning is hoping to continue that at the Riverside this weekend. “I gave it a go and sometimes it goes into row z, sometimes it goes into the top corner,” he said of his goal. “It would have been even better had we gone on to win, but it wasn’t to be and we have to learn the lessons from that. I enjoy the chance to get on the ball, I play to try to create in the left wing-back position, where I’m trying to produce a final ball for a team-mate. So, I’m buzzing to have got an assist and goal in the last two games, and I hope I can continue to build on that and give more.”

Russell Martin was quick to remind Boro fans that Jamie Paterson is loving life at Swansea. Especially as it was Neil Warnock who rejected him in the close season. Praising the free transfer, manager Russell Martin said: “He feels a real affinity with the club and the supporters already, in terms of how they have taken him on. He is desperate to repay that. That is unique, to have such a bond with a group of supporters so early in his time at the club. They see a guy who is giving everything, not just on the ball but without it too. He runs so hard, he is willing to press and to fight. That is stuff you need as a Championship player, but the other side of his game means he expresses himself but understands the importance of structure and his position within that. He shows discipline, and when he gets the ball he takes care of it because he knows how hard his team-mates have worked to give him the ball. He has been fantastic, but he will be the first person to tell you the importance of the people around him. He loves being here and it shows on the pitch.”

The swans have been deep in to reflection on the issues of last weekend, but also positively looking forward and training with one thing in mind, get the three points on Saturday and to put things right.

Middlesbrough v Swansea City kicks off at 3pm UK Time on Saturday (4th Dec 2021)

Photographs licensed from Reuters

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