First off Russell Martin was of course delighted. “I am really proud of the players,” he said. This was a game where I never expected it to be any less than real hard work. We started the game really well and then there were a few sloppy moments and we got a bit hesitant. We have an unwavering belief and trust in the process of what we are trying to do, we understand where we are in that process,” added Martin.

“I went to a game yesterday where there was a team that really trusted the process of what they are doing, and stuck at it after a difficult period at the start, with the crowd helping them incredibly well. That was at the Wales rugby match yesterday, and the second half here reminded me of that from Saturday” On the win for Swansea he said “It’s a really big win, and I am proud of the players and I felt we deserved to win.”

Nigel Pearson, in true Nigel Pearson style didn't hold back at all post match. “When people say ‘have you worked at that?’ I say listen, what you can’t do is you can’t give players desire. So we might have to make changes because people like me lose my job through results. What I’m not having is, I’m not having players who cop-out. We’ve been in a winning position, we’ve had loads of possession, nine attempts in the first half, five or six in the second as an away side. We get in front and concede three crap goals.We might have to make changes. Maybe we’ve got players in our squad at the moment that have got until now and the end of the season to prove whether they’re good enough to be here next year whether I’m the manager or anybody else. This football club has had too long putting up with players that are just going through the motions at times. You watched the game. You watched the game, didn’t you? You watched it one week, watched it the next. Was it the same? (when asked about the same players making defensive mistakes) I’m not protecting players on a day like today when we should get something out of the game at least. Congratulations to them (Swansea).”

Corny reflects
It was nearly a year ago today that Pearson saw his opening game as Robins manager end in a 3-1 win at Swansea, then under Steve Cooper, a game that Swansea really should have won. Now twelve months later the old Nigel Pearson has surfaced and you get the feeling some of his players are going to suffer. Russell Martin places immense trust in his way of playing football and when it comes off there’s absolutely no argument against it. There have been bills this season and this result has come on the back of some alarming Swansea City displays. Forest and Reading at home, Stoke last week. Truly awful.

However, now is the opportunity to move on and make Swansea’s mark on a championship this season that just can’t be predicted. To that end let’s stop the unpredictability at Swansea City and start to maintain the form we have seen yesterday especially in the second half. It wasn’t an unfortunate win, that last goal was crafted after Joel Piroe nutmegged a robins defender, it was pure class. We have that class in abundance across the squad, so surely now it’s time for us all to see it more often ?

Photographs licensed from Reuters