Planet Swans ArchivesRoberto Martinez insists that his side have nothing to fear as the Swans return to Liberty Stadium action tonight as they play their game in hand against Hartlepool United.
The Swans have a pretty poor home record so far this season – just two maximum returns from seven previous league outings – but that is something that Roberto is confident that they can overcome especially he says with the fans behind them. Six league wins on the road are a direct indication of how the Swans can perform and if they had the same record at home (points per game) as they had away then currently we would be enjoying a six point lead at the top of the table.
“There is no fear about playing at home,” said Martinez in today’s Western Mail
“Obviously there’s a sense of responsibility playing at home because you don’t want to let anyone down.
“You’ve got the fans behind you, we know how well we can play and we want to do that.
“Sometimes that sense of responsibility can block you a little bit, but I don’t think that’s the case.
“If you look back at our performances lately at the Liberty Stadium, I would say that it has been good.
“Against Gillingham with 10 men we were a kick (Andy Robinson’s missed penalty) away from a win.
“Huddersfield, in the first half, was our poorest home display of the season, but the character and desire we showed in the second half to get a result was convincing.
“We can’t make too many conclusions over the results because it is a short period of time to make assessments,” he added.
“If you assess every single game here there were certain circumstances which determined the outcome.
“We must adapt and be better overall at home, but I believe that after 23 games we will have good enough home form to be successful.
“When we’ve played at home against the top sides – Carlisle and Nottingham Forest – we’ve played well and away from home our record speaks for itself.
“The only area we need to improve is at home to sides you would expect dominant performances against – and that first step is Hartlepool.
“At the beginning of the season you could sense a bit of tension, people were expecting us to be in front and controlling the game from the first 20 minutes until the end,” he said.
“But the fans created a fantastic atmosphere against Huddersfield and allowed the players to perform throughout the game.
“The fans know what to expect, that opponents will make it hard for us at the Liberty Stadium.
“We have to raise our game, but the whole environment is such that if we have to win in the last five minutes then everyone is ready for it. We know we have got a tremendous opportunity against Hartlepool.”
