Russell Martin says the Swans could not match the energy of Birmingham City and looks at ‘tired decision making’

When Russell Martin takes time to reflect back over the past seven days I am sure he will look back with a level of satisfaction on the back of home wins over Cardiff City and West Brom.

But the defeat at Birmingham ended the week on a losing note for the Swans boss and he acknowledged that maybe his side was tired after their third game in six days meant that the intensity and energy of the two home performances was slightly missing.

He also looked closely at a ten minute spell straight after the break that he believes undone his side after we had what he believes was the best of the first half although conceding that we never looked that dangerous during it.

“It was really important how we started the second half and we started it really poorly,” he told the Swans official site. “It’s a ten minute spell that’s undone us really.

“We weren’t clean, people taking too many touches and some decision-making and detail wasn’t right because they are tired.

“We lacked the intensity that we had in the previous two games, but I thought we had a lot of control in the first half without really threatening.

“They looked dangerous, they looked a threat and it’s just energy. And we couldn’t match that energy.

“It’s really frustrating because we work really hard on having a high defensive line, and the guys do it with real conviction and intent but he (Tahith Chong) is offside when he runs through.

“It’s gone against us and we lose the game but it’s one game too many probably for too many of the players.”