Rob Davies
Russell Martin was disappointed to see the Swans unbeaten run ended by a rampant Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Saturday.
The nine game run was ended abruptly thanks to Sam Surridge’s hat-trick but the game could have been over by half time although the Swans boss admitted he was happy with what he saw in the first half.
The second half was poor viewing all round with four unanswered goals to make it a 5-1 scoreline in favour of Steve Cooper’s men to also give them a 9-2 aggregate score over the two games this season.
Last season under Cooper the Swans took 6 points from Forest without conceding but these are two clearly very different teams on show this season.
“Our unbeaten run has ended in an embarrassing way,” Martin told the Official Site.
“I am really disappointed for the supporters who have been incredible all season and did not deserve that.
“I am also disappointed for the players and staff who did not deserve that after the hard work we put in.
“I really liked us in the first half, they had a few chances from set-pieces which has been our undoing again today.
“We don’t have a big team at this moment in time and in the second half against Bournemouth and again here today it has shown what we lack in terms of height, power and athleticism.
“We were really brave in the first half, we took the atmosphere out of the game and we responded brilliantly to going behind after having some good moments ourselves.
“We made a mistake for their goal, it should just be cleared, but the response was fantastic and then at half-time we spoke about the importance of set-pieces with the aerial power they have.
“We said our mentality had to be really high, and it wasn’t at all.
“Someone drifts off the goalkeeper and scores from a corner and all of a sudden the atmosphere is back up, it makes it difficult for us.
“We got anxious and started crossing the ball way too early, which led to the counter-attack and a goal.
“So we have undone all our good work within 10 minutes of the second half starting.
“We made some changes, but in that last half an hour we just didn’t look after each other enough.”
It’s all a little bit meek and mild from Martin after that show – to lose nine goals against a single team in one season, let alone one managed by your old boss, is not acceptable and let’s not get started on the defending!
Must say the man of the match was Swansea keeper without him it would have been double figures
Very fortunate not to be three down inside ten minutes Swansea were extremely poor I felt for the Swansea fans if that’s the type of football you have to watch
Sad but true comment .How others see us with no agenda .When we see Obafemi or Piroe score we get a lift – but the other side of the game is just as important .We pass the ball endlessly without purpose and play without proper ,organised defenders .Oh for two fullbacks and two centre halves