Russell Martin presented more good news for Swansea City fans this morning when he confirmed that he has a nigh on fully fit side for selection against Peterborough United. We must remember Martin has been exceptionally cute when talking to the press pre match, and on numerous occasions hasn’t so much misled the pre match talk, he has been let’s say, exceptionally clever in his choice of words.
Martin has confirmed that Flynn Downes is back and available for selection for tomorrow’s game, so we can expect to see him in the starting eleven on Saturday. Michael Obafemi was discussed as well and from the interview you get the impression that Michael will start again on the bench. Reading in to the responses from the swans manager you get the impression he will be sticking with Joel Piroe for this one. However remember our caveat at the start, Russell Martin hasn’t said that Michael won’t start, but has said Joel Piroe is going to be hard to shift.
Many swans fans are keen to see Obafemi and Piroe working together, which obviously means the in form Paterson playing deeper with Downes or Ntcham stepping down to the subs bench. A rigid 442 doesn’t seem to be in Martin’s plans. However, the side has shown great adaptability in recent games, and the formation switches as well as the change from passing, to a direct ball signify the squad are beginning to learn how threatening they can be on a match day. It isn’t a case of changing because it’s not working, flexibility and a positive ability to change tactic mid game is fast becoming a Swansea City strength.
Russell Martin once again endorsed Flynn Downes attitude to his role as well this morning. "Everyone is fit,” Martin confirmed. "Flynn is back in the squad. He’s been brilliant since he came in. Flynn is improving all the time, he’s a great character and always wants to learn. He has fitted into group perfectly so it’s great to have him back. He is a really big part of what we are doing, he’s a great person to work with every day, he wants to learn and he wants to improve”
The boss was also keen to reinforce his thinking on the under 23 game on Monday where the swans fielded much of the unselected first team squad. It resulted in a real positive display, and a 2-0 win against Watford. "We were trying to give those guys minutes to translate the work they’ve done in training into a game. Even though most of team were first team, only two were over-23. Everyone showed the right mindset. Their attitude was brilliant. We took a lot from it. They controlled the game against a strong Watford Under-23s team. It was a great exercise. They came through it in terms of fitness, but in terms of intensity it was perfect. They are fit. They are certainly fitter than what they were when we started, so we’re looking forward to pushing on with everyone in the squad. We are trying to get those guys to transfer the work they have put in training to a match situation. The way they approached the game, their attitude and intensity was fantastic, it was maybe easy to go in to the game with an attitude, you know with a different mindset. They approached the game positively and we took a lot from it. The next day when we reviewed the game it was very rewarding. Their reaction to losing the ball, their willingness to run for each other, so we came away from it really, really pleased”
Obafemi, work hard every day and reap the rewards
On Obafemi’s fitness Martin explained his situation. " It’s a fitness one, since Luton he has only played one full week, may be two, so Michael has to be patient, against Birmingham he came on and did really well. However, we now have to maintain his standards, not only on a Saturday afternoon, but during the week as well. If Michael can do that more consistently then I’m sure he will find himself more and more on the pitch”
There’s a few messages in there for sure.
We will keep you updated, in fact right up to date as the game approaches here on Swansea Independent. Stay tooned. There’s more to come.