There’s little reason to not believe Swansea City can pick up all three points in Saturday’s away game at St Andrew’s, Birmingham. There has been an upturn in form from the swans in front of goal and it seems a more direct approach to defending. That being said Saturdays opponents are deserlsrately looking for three home points.

Like Russell Martin at Swansea blues manager John Eustace has had pressure heaped upon him. His last home victory was on August 5th. That was a hard fought victory with very limited possession, but the opposition at the time were being tipped for big things this season. Huddersfield are blowing hot and cold for sure but beaten the terriers was seen as a real achievement. Last weeks surprise victory at Preston has relieved some of the pressure, not least scoring the first goals that Preston have conceded since the campaign started.

The swans will face a home side determined to get their campaign back on the tracks in front of their own crowd. However some 1,700, some forecast more Swansea City fans will also be there. Last seasons defeat saw Michael Obafemi score his first goal for the swans.That was back in October last year. Whether we see him in the squad on Saturday is a tough call, once again his ability to accept his lot and play for his club are in question. And that has angered a lot of Swansea City followers.

Fitness pending Joel Piroe will almost certainly start in his preferred striking role. And that being a success of late will mean a space for Obafemi to start is unlikely. So Michael finds himself in the same position his behaviour got him in to a year ago. Being dropped because of his attitude. He has trained this week, and hopefully the swans boss hasn’t had to spend too much time on him as he did last season.

Clearly the player is a distraction. Team game and all that.

The majority of swans fans will want to see Oli Cooper in the starting eleven after two very pleasing performances, and you jet get the feeling a goal isn’t too far away. Steven Benda we are told is to be given a run of games in the number one position, he kept a clean sheet last weekend in the home win against QPR. We can also expect to see the three new loan signings either on the bench or indeed off the bench as we saw last Saturday. All three showed the truly of commitment, not only in coming to Swansea but by putting in one hundred percent effort in their debuts last week.

Martin agreed in the week. “We will get behind people that want to be here and work so hard to bring this club the success they want. We have a group that reflects that and buys into that. That is all that is happening. We came here when a lot of others did not want to because they knew what was happening. That is it. We have a very clear philosophy, a clear style of play, a really young group and we have a plan we feel is sustainable. We have young men who are living these moments for the first time, the same as some of them were last season, but we are going to get there and we will help them get there. They want to get there. So, everyone has a choice, this is the situation we are in. I am in charge of the team, it is my responsibility. But the players will grow and come together and be stronger”

That very much indicates youth will be the winner and not attitude in his squad selection on Saturday., Oli Cooper has come through the Swansea ranks and knows exactly about the feeling of pride he gets when pulls on his clubs shirt. Speaking after his superb performance against QPR.. “Hopefully this is the start now and this is the platform for us to kick on. Wednesday was a good performance, this was a different kind of performance. Hopefully we keep going and this is the start of a good run. I want to play in this team, I want to play for the gaffer and when I get on the pitch I want to show what I can do and now I’m being given the opportunity”

That’s what we want to hear at Swansea Independent, and nothing less.

Birmingham City v Swansea City kicks off at 3pm on Saturday in the Sky Bet Championship

Photographs Swansea City AFC