It has been a statement that the Swansea City boss has believed in all season and as he prepares for the penultimate home game of the season against Bristol City tomorrow he is not waivering from his belief.
Indeed he believes that if they win three games with poor performances they will end up in the play offs just to make up the numbers and as a very proud man that is not something that he wishes to see happen.
Martinez said “Even if we get nine points, if we do it with poor performances then we would end up in the play-offs just making up the numbers
“I’m not saying I don’t want the nine points to get into the play-offs because that would be foolish, but the aim is not to get into the play-offs it is to get into the Premiership.
“We want to get into the play-offs to get promoted, we don’t want to get there just for the sake of being promoted. I don’t see the point of that.
“It is important that we focus on our performances and focus on learning from our experiences during this campaign.
“There have been a few games this season where we have played with our hearts and not our heads.
“We have not done well at this level just scrapping for results. We have been relying on being as good as we can and probably, from that perspective, we have probably got less points that we deserve.
“But now is our chance during the next three games. We will need to be at our best, use our experience and if we do that I have no doubts we are going to be in the top six.
“But, if we do miss out because of points, we have to make sure it is not because we have dropped our standards.
“Burnley will not be looking at what Swansea are doing, they will be looking at themselves and we must do the same
“It could be that we slip up and Burnley slip up or it could be that we get all the points and still don’t make the play-offs.
“For Bristol City, it will be very difficult for them to reach the play-offs. They have to take every single point so that should make it a fantastic open game.
“It is their second season at this level and they play some fantastic football and now have the experience to go with it.
“It is always difficult to maintain your standards, particularly in your second season because the opposition suddenly has a lot more respect for you. They have done magnificently, though. It is going to be a tough task.
“But we have nothing to lose and a lot to gain. It is not often you can take another step toward realising your dream of Premiership football.
There is an excitement around the club and around the city. You can feel it,” said Martinez.
“It’s important with three games left and the fact that we still have a realistic chance of making the points tally we have been talking about.
“We have two big footballing occasions left at the Liberty Stadium. Playing against Bristol City in front of our home support is going to be something to look forward to.
“There has been a lot of speculation about our players taking the attention of other clubs.
“That would not surprise me at all, but I’m surprised they have not come to take our fans too because they have been very special.”
