Rob DaviesSwans boss Russell Martin says he has learned from his own personal mistakes after Tuesday night’s defeat at Stoke City and took full responsibility, admitting “I got it wrong” with the team selection.
Martin made three changes in that game and further are expected tomorrow following a run of seven games in three weeks, with Joel Piroe and Jamie Paterson expected to be back in the starting eleven after appearing from the substitutes bench in midweek.
The squad arrived back from training at St George’s Park yesterday and will hope for a much improved display against another team struggling with their own inconsistency, Bristol City.
It also gives Martin the chance to complete a first double of his Swans career having overseen the win at Ashton Gate for his first win as the team’s manager.
He told Wales Online: “Tuesday was probably a sign of where we’re at. We’ve had seven games in just over three weeks.
“After a break it’s been a really tough period for the guys. I think it was one game too many.
“It’s my fault, you try to pick a team and balance the squad, look at the minutes and try to take in account tiredness, mentality, and you try to put a team out you think is the right one. I got that wrong on Tuesday.
“I think I’ve learnt a lot from it. We weren’t having a great night with the ball because of our mentality and intensity. Ultimately I’m in charge of the team. It’s my responsibility.
“I get things wrong, players get things wrong, we all do. We have to accept it. It’s about taking accountability making sure it doesn’t happen again.”
We can only hope that this will mean we never see Downes, Grimes, Fulton and Smith playing together all at once as that will never bring sufficient creativity to a team in desperate need of goals.
