Russell Martin has a plethora of issues, both good and bad to address before Saturdays home game against Luton Town, not least the real split in favour, or otherwise, of him continuing as Swansea City manager. On reflection that’s ridiculous. It really is. Of course that’s only fans opinion - and really at the end of it all the only opinion that matters is that of those who actually make these things happen.

Personally I would have sacked him nine times on Tuesday night, but of course in the cold light of day, again on reflection, and weighing up that bizarre game against Millwall overall it was totally out of his control. If that is the case, and he was entirely responsible for what came before then surely that’s the same reasoning ? Daft isn’t it ? There has to be some ownership in a contest between two sides. You can’t pick and choose.

There really needs to be something which exposes the players brain to really understand that the winners will be the side that you are playing on. Not the opposition.

Despite some bold and maybe not so clever prose after the Millwall game by yours truly in respect of the lack of leadership on the pitch for the swans, that lack of quality is noticeable. Someone on that pitch, and it doesn’t have to be captain, needs to get involved in the obvious situations that are happening and that are clearly affecting the team. Let the opposition and the referee know, ‘ I am a leader, and this is my team’ I really don’t see that on the pitch for the swans, just players concentrating on their own game and rarely involved in anything more than that.

Maybe that’s the issue ? Players are too involved in their own game to see a wider picture due to the complexity of their role ? Their own well being comes before the team ? There’s definitely something in that. Managing panic, especially at the back and making the decision to lead from the rear wasn’t down to Russell Martin in those bizarre five minutes against Millwall, he isn’t that raw in experience to not have addressed that in training.

Of course he has, and from the numerous lost leads we have seen at the end of last season and this he can only do so much. He is putting the responsibility on to his players to implement the detail to avoid these situations, and they just cannot do it. At the moment that is. That’s what makes that Millwall game a defining ninety plus minutes on Tuesday night. That has to be the real catalyst for the rest of the season, work on that and this team can really achieve something.

It really is as simple as that.

Personally I support Russel Martin, I do not want him sacked but neither do I find it offensive or annoying that people do. As many know I don’t condone some pseudonym abusing others because of a different opinion. Twitter especially, we’ve dealt with those sorts before, it achieves nothing to bully, attack or run down another’s opinion, especially when nobody knows who you are. Or indeed has no right of redress because of certain circumstances.

That’s a lot of what Martin has to put up with, but then I suppose that’s what he took on when he came to Swansea over a year ago. A very well paid position that comes with all the emotions of others included. It’s a thankless task but one if he does get sacked gives rewards elsewhere. Not many jobs give that security.

For me, and others I’ve spoken to Saturday is a crucial game for Swansea City, and one for Russell Martin that is up there with one of the biggest games in his managerial career. Win, and show the qualities we know this side has and it will be the platform everyone wants for a successful season. Struggle and lose and the voices get louder and louder. Nobody wants that but it comes with the territory. It’s been pointed out on Planet Swans, and quite correctly by Rob Davies the current malaise the swans are in. The record isn’t good. The last home win being against Derby in April. That isn’t good enough.

That’s football, and nothing is more emotive than a positive result at home on a Saturday afternoon to wash away those midweek blues. Here’s hoping the boss man has his finger right on the pulse for this one, and the players are tuned in to turn the practice in to perfect. That’s where Russell Martin is at the moment, it has to be three points against Luton Town, that’s a certainty.

Nothing else will do.

Photographs licensed from Reuters

Swansea City Polls