Planet Swans ArchivesRoberto Martinez has called for fans to back his side at home to Swindon on Tuesday night despite the jeers that have been heard from sections of the ground in recent games.
The team was booed off the pitch at both half time and full time on Saturday from areas of the ground after they put in a disappointing display in a goal less draw with Brighton.
The Swans have the chance to put that right immediately when 6th placed Swindon arrive on Tuesday night for a game that we will be looking at something to kick start a run of form especially with away trips to Leyton Orient and Bournemouth to follow in the league.
Speaking after the match on Saturday, Martinez said “We know we are expected to win every single game and we want to do that. But you have to do the right things in your performance and that’s the lesson we need to learn.
“The fans are looking for more and so are we. We all want to win every single game but it’s early days and we will get stronger.
“But on the other hand we need to make sure we don’t start games as slowly as we did today.
“We need them here on Tuesday. Our targets haven’t changed, it’s a marathon of a competition and we really need the fans.
“The difference between being able to perform at your best or not can come from the fans.
“You can understand their disappointment but nobody feels worse about this game than the staff or players.
“But when teams come here and play negatively, if we don’t support our players, it can go in the opposition’s favour.
“After 90 minutes they can express their opinions and we welcome that. But during the game that extra push from the twelfth man is vital and we need to make sure we use it to our advantage.
“I’m very frustrated about the game and the way we played has left me with mixed emotions
“In a way I’m very frustrated, in a way I’m disappointed and in a way I’m interested in what I’ve learned from it.
“The first half wasn’t up to our standards and it wasn’t as good as we can be,” he admitted. “We started well but all of a sudden we let them get on top of us.
“But we were able to play the way we want to play in the second half. We created good chances and we controlled the game well enough to win it.
“I thought the reaction in the second half was very pleasing. The boys did the right things and showed the right attitude that you need to score goals.
“We were missing that final, clinical touch today but it’s going to happen. The first half gave Brighton belief and that makes it difficult to break a team down.
“Overall the way we finished the game was a pleasing thing. And the things we will learn from this as a squad will make us better.
He continued, “It’s not the first time we haven’t started as well as we can. We allowed the desire to win and get a win for the fans to make us play with our hearts not our heads.
“None of the players were pleased with the first half performance and it was disappointing.
“We need to get this bad taste out of our mouth as soon as possible. But the second half was definitely encouraging for tomorrow’s game.”
