Phil Sumbler
It is always interesting to see the reaction of a manager after their team has been beaten.ย It’s even more interesting when it comes on the back of a run that has seen you win just three of the preceding eighteen games.
Watching the video of Martin’s conference was as interesting as the words used as he looked much more down than any of the words that came out of his mouth maybe suggested.
The last few minutes tell more of a story as he accused one journalist of a “lazy assessment” after it was suggested that the players maybe were not as embedded in the process as they have been and on a night when they were simply second best to Stoke.
“They have players who have played 100s of games,” Martin responded.ย “I will speak to the players and see how they feel but in my opinion it is a very lazy assessment, clearly your opinion is different.
“It makes me quite angry as I know how hard the players work.”
The Swans had the perfect start to the game when Morgan Whittaker opened the scoring inside the first two minutes but rather than pushing on from that, they retreated and two quick goals in the opening twenty minutes saw them on the back foot and in a position from which Martin’s side could not recover.
“We are paying for a poorly managed twenty minutes.ย We want the players to be brave but there were too many times when we were giving the ball away.
“We had some brilliant moments when we broke and looked threatening and dangerous.ย But there were too many moments when we let them get the ball too easily.
“In the second half I thought the boys played with brilliant courage and I am really proud of the character that they showed especially with the atmosphere from the result going the way that it was.
“I have said to them that if they carry on like they did in the second half then we will be fine.
“There were times that we should have played forward quicker but we will learn from that – we gave the opposition hope the way we did it and that gave them confidence.ย People will be bored of me saying it but with the young group we have they will benefit from moments like that.”
The Swans now have the second worst defensive record in the division, something which has been obvious for some time, a point acknowledged by Martin but not one that seems to be actually improving.
“Our defensive record is a concern.ย ย The goals we have conceded is the biggest swing in the league against the expected goals and far outweighs that number.ย Too many of them have been set pieces and we need to look at that and address it.ย ย As I have said we will have a lot of young players in the team who will be better for this moment.”
The Swansea.com stadium was full of boos for the team at the final whistle, a question that was posed to Martinย “I understand the fans reaction.ย You don’t want to hear it.ย ย It’s been a tough month for us in so many ways.ย Results wise its been tough but we are sitting 12th in the league with the youngest and smallest squad in the league.ย ย We have a clear way of doing things that is going through the club all the way.
“Our budget is lower than where we are in the league.ย That’s not excuses these are facts.ย ย I get it though, this is football.ย People only see the result as that is all that matters to those that support the team.
“I said all the way along what we are trying to do it won’t be quick.ย ย 18 of 24 Championship clubs have sacked their manager this season, how many of those are better off?
“Modern day football means people want change.ย ย It’s not nice to hear but we don’t let it affect us and we don’t focus on it.ย ย I understand it but it impacts the family more than us – its not nice for the kids to see You Tube and people shouting ‘Martin Out’ – I don’t see how that helps your football club but if it’s how you feel then it’s how you feel
“We can improve the atmosphere by winning games and we have to do that quickly.ย We are still twelfth not fighting relegation.
Martin out doesnt help the football club agreed but neither does suicidal football around the back ,a goalkeeper that frightens the shit out of everyone and defenders that look like theyve never met !I would be delighted if we could play the football you want sadly we dont have the players ,not sure which away manager said it but hes so right ! Let them have the possesion they will make mistakes at the back and we need to pounce .Too obvious too slow and sadly I fear for the next couple of months and next season .FFS even those clowns up the road may beat us this season thats how far weve fallen !
They havent got the players to do it was labelled at Liverpool after losing to Real Madrid they like us have to sometimes dig in and grind out results we are too lightweight .
I would like RM to stay I think he has created a more skillful team from limited resources. I agree the passing movement is too often horizontal and allows teams to set defences but until we have a commitment from the owners we cannot expect the present players to do much more than they presently are. We lack genuine speed and a ball-holder upfront. My only criticism is that RM maybe needs to balance pragmatism with philosophy and increase our speed of passing forward get into the midfield and at the risk of losing the odd ball put it into the danger areas. So long as the defence correspondingly organizes itself we should have some bodies at home to hold up breakaways if they occur.