When you have had less than a week with your squad ahead of the first game and you are trying to change the way that they have played for two years then you know you are going to witness mistakes and that was certainly the case for Russell Martin in his first Swans game in charge today.
The new head coach watched the Swans beaten 2-1 at Blackburn on a game where possession was dominated but too many loose passes and mistakes cost us dear.
But rather than focus on those mistakes and create blame, Martin was looking to focus on the positives that he saw after such a short time period in the job.
“They’re human beings. Everyone makes mistakes,” he said.
“There’ll be a few fans saying we made way too many, but it’s football, it’s life.
“Steven will be fine. As long as he shows the same courage as he did after the goal, I thought he was brilliant with the crowd, getting used to that again and it makes it a bit more nervy for other people.
“But the way he still accepted the ball and made good decisions, he made a great save at the end when the game got a little bit open when we were chasing the game.
“I’ve told them, as long as their intention is good, they’re never going to get criticised in our own environment for trying the right things.
“I was really pleased with some of the stuff we played. I am disappointed for the players, first and foremost, because I felt they deserved more.”