Is there a way ‘forwards’ from this for Russell Martin ?
Wednesday, 2nd Feb 2022 13:29 by Keith Haynes

The first of seven February championship games was played last night at the swansea.com stadium. The boo’s at the end were predictable as was the strategy chosen for the game. Yes there was a clear formation change but the game plan seemed as it always is.

There isn’t a lot of pain watching the swans, although some will tell you the constant passing for passing’s sake is desperate to watch at times. It can get tedious but so many chances come from this style of football, the issue as ever is the conversion rate. The real thing to understand is that Swansea City bought in to Russell Martin’s project, and he too bought in to the city and it’s people. Despite his dissenters, and okay they are growing, the actual game plan is fine. As we have seen it creates many chances. Unfortunately the players employed to score goals can’t seem to do so.

Matt Grimes in last nights game against Luton Town

The last five games don’t make great reading, and of course the thing to note is only two goals in that period is the glaring issue. That’s seven and a half hours of football with a very limited return. There clearly needs to be a mindset change in those attacking areas, but rarely do we see both Michael Obafemi and Joel Piroe on the pitch at the same time. The evidence is there for all to see.

With the next six fixtures this month alone coming very quickly ending at West Bromwich Albion on the 28th it could well be a watershed month. There has to be a way forwards, Russell Martin talks about taking risks and yes that’s a part of his plan. But we haven’t seen that many risks in the attacking department. Usually it’s a lone forward feeding off a ‘dominant’ midfield with wing backs adding support. It all works but it doesn’t create goals with the personnel the swans have, that’s now evident even to Russell Martin. The opportunity to ensure this occurred were missed with a variety of deadline signings going unsanctioned, and never once a hint of an attacking player. All that despite inquiries being made at a variety of clubs. The fixtures to come are as hard as they can get in the Championship.

Russell Martin bemoaning the missed chances is one thing, but stating the club needs help in the attacking department must tell Liam Cullen and Morgan Whittaker all they need to know. And then not getting anywhere near close to getting that type of player in is slightly questionable. There really does need to be a change in how quickly the swans get the ball forwards and all that with an eye on increasing the attacking tenacity which results in goals.

There’s no questions regards commitment either

Russell Martin talks about risks and a project, and we here at least understand that, but where the real issue is has to be addressed, not talked about and not defended. Blackburn are up next, another home game where the expectation is again going to be a win. It’s fast becoming a season that many of us expected, but at least let’s see some transition if that’s what it is. And some evidence that the manager and coaching staff are actually working towards next season over the coming month would be ideal.