Russell Martin will send his Swans side out tonight at the Swansea.com stadium looking to put at least temporary brakes on the promotion party of Bournemouth but also with one eye on extending his own side’s eight match unbeaten run.
The Swans have not been beaten since a 1-0 defeat at Blackpool more than six weeks ago – a run that has seen them move comfortably into the mid table bracket with a real chance of a top half finish.
Indeed, a win tonight against the promotion chasing Cherries and the Swans will move into the top half of the table but Martin knows that it will be a tough test ahead against Scott Parker’s side who themselves know that a win will put them within touching distance of a return to the Premier League.
Bournemouth scored a late goal at the weekend to take a point off Champions elite Fulham and with their most likely nearest challengers Nottingham Forest playing those leaders tonight it could prove to be a pivotal night in clearing up who will join the Cottagers in the final top two come the end of the season.
Russell Martin though is less concerned about the quality of the opposition and more about his side being what he always urges them to be – brave and courageous – against one of the sides who have led the way for most of the season this time around.
“All we ask of the guys is to run as hard as they can for each other and be brave and courageous with the ball,” he said at his press conference yesterday. “Hopefully that will be the mentality, because if we do that we have a chance.
“If you look at the squad they have built, the financial power they have – as well as having a manager who has done it (promotion) before then they are a challenge.
“They have players who have experience of playing in the top division and with experience of getting promoted. They are an athletic and powerful team that can win games in different ways.
“They have strength at the top end of the pitch and have conceded the fewest goals in the league, so it’s a big test.
“But it’s a great challenge and one to really look forward to.”