Phil SumblerRussell Martin was clear last night when he spoke after the Stoke game that the players simply had to recover from the disappointment of the defeat and ensure that they do everything right in the build up to Sunday’s clash with Bristol City.
Martin looked very downbeat as he spoke to Swans TV after the game and talked about how preparation for Sunday started there and then with the Swans heading to St George’s Park overnight, home of the England’s national football teams.
The venue provides 14 outdoor pitches, one of which is a complete replica of the Wembley surface together with a full sized indoor pitch along with a suite of rehabilitation and sports science areas. Martin referred to the Swans recovery being key to the start of those plans for Sunday where he expects a top quality atmosphere for the relatively local visit of Bristol City to SA1.
Despite the nature of the defeat, the Swans boss was firm in his belief that his team could bounce back well but he also emphasised the need for them to recover properly ahead of the game and do all the right things on and off the training pitches in the lead up to the game.
“It’s a brilliant group of players in terms of character and what they are about. Hopefully we will recover well tonight, tomorrow morning and get ready for Sunday,” said Martin.
“We cannot be here every Tuesday making excuses. I said to them what they eat, how they sleep, what they drink, how they train, how they recover at Fairwood, how they recover tomorrow at St George’s Park – everything matters.
“Tonight we have come up against a physical very athletic team and that has been our downfall too many times this season. That is what happens when you inherit a squad late on, we are always playing catch up.”
We are where I expected us to be this season (battling around the bottom six). I feel we simply do not have the quality of players required. Assuming we survive the drop this season, I fear next season will be even tougher. We have little to sell in the summer transfer window. The americans are investors, as investors you expect a return.
As much as I admire Martin’s desire to play football I fear that he and his coaching team are not up to the standard required. No goals from set play, predictable and slow play from the back, lack of movement up front and which of his picks as new players have done really well….very few
I disagree completely. Downes has been outstanding, Martin’s made Grimes/Manning/Cabango better than last season (in Grimes’ case that would be “EVEN better”), Laird was fantastic, Christie looks solid, Fisher seems a natural fit for playing out the back.
The rest we’ll have to wait and see but all of them have potential. There’s a player in Obafemi somewhere and he adds the ability to stretch teams which is paramount to winning this way (as with James under Potter). And Wolf looks like someone who’ll get there after a few games.
And I might be the only person betting on Liam Walsh to break through next season, but I really am.
And playing out from the back isn’t meant to be unpredictable. It’s meant to tire out the opposition. When it’s done properly that’s what it does. And as with any other tactic: when it’s not coming off, it’s not working.
Some fans have already forgotten exactly how much Cooper’s side relied on Ayew (who they couldn’t afford this season) and how the team lacked identity and clarity in style. I haven’t.
And the club under Cooper signed Bennett on a salary the club can’t afford anymore. He’s on the bench now and not unfairly. They signed Whittaker for 800k, which seems an outrageous amount now. So does Peterson for 550k. And then there’s Freeman, Arriola and Morris… All in all I thought Cooper was excellent in the transfer windows, some of the loan deals were past amazing, but he also had a much more of a budget. If this Swansea side is looking more like a League One team in terms of the personal, it’s because that’s where the personel’s coming from right now. I trust Martin to work wonders under those circumstances much more than I’d trust Cooper to do the same.
Agree with Phil and Ian.
Mathias I see you rambling on about rubbish on all posts you want
to live in the real world.
Most of us on here been watching swans for over 50 years its not good
at the moment.
Not all Martins fault as Phil says Americans want a return (if we were in
the Prom league theres where the loot is half wits!).
Oh dear, Mr Mr has got his grumpy hat on again.
Of course it’s not good at the moment, but that is what a long-term plan entails, and Martin warned us that it wouldn’t be an easy ride.
I agree with Mathias, Cooper’s team relied on the unsustainable Ayew and loan players. And, the football was appalling.
If the club is in this position this time next year – which it won’t be – give me all the ‘I told you so’s’ you want – I’ll deserve it. In the meantime remember the league positions of Huddersfield, Blackburn and QPR last season… and Brentford when we thrashed them 5-1. Look at them now after sticking to a long-term plan.
Changing managers every season is NOT the answer. We could not afford to do so, and it would set us back again, but it would give you a new name to throw abuse at.
Patience, patience, patience. You’ve either got it or you haven’t.
By the way, Mr Mr, my first game was at the Vetch, vs Charlton, 1957 – gives me 64 years of watching the Swans, a season ticket holder since then.
So, I await your abuse, Mr Mr – it seems that is your style when you don’t agree with someone (rather than reasoned argument) Bring it on!!!!
Look, we’re all allowed to grumble about our team from time to time, but when it tips over into blame-culture it becomes toxic, especially when that entails abuse of players, coaches and other fans.
The best way to SUPPORT a team is the look at reasonable arguments and discussions and to ENCOURAGE.
If a child in school is struggling you don’t yell and shout abuse, call names and hit them (which is what used to happen in the ‘good old days’ !!!???!!!) To get real improvement, you encourage and praise and show patience… and results will come (I was a headteacher for 30 years)
I am gutted when we lose or play badly, but it is part and parcel of the game (abuse is not, it is unacceptable in any walk of life) If you only want wins and a good league position then you have a choice – go and support Manchester City. If you truly SUPPORT the Swans then get behind them and encourage, or give a reasoned argument as to what might change for the better, without blaming others. Suggestions are good, blame is useless.
I believe in Russell Martin’s sincerity and integrity, and I believe his plan will succeed, given time and support. COYS