Please log in or register. Registered visitors get fewer ads.
Is it a case now of just staying up and going again next season ?
Saturday, 25th Feb 2023 11:43 by Keith Haynes

It seems from the latest comments from the club and Russell Martin that regardless of a growing amount of calls for the head coach to be sacked that this is something that just won’t happen. Okay, a heavy defeat on Monday will definitely give more thought to that scenario, but really are the majority owners going to stick with Martin regardless ?

Any thoughts now of the play offs are as distant as those drums we used to hear in the east stand a few years ago. There may well be a stewards inquiry with regards to Martin but the lack of communication (again) on this situation from the club and the USA suggests he has more time to get this vision right. Nobody can predict the future in its entirety, nor can anyone suggest that certain things will happen. However, it seems more than likely Martin is staying rather than going and that is something that has been discussed behind the scenes, hence the head coach making summer statements this week.

Earlier in the week Martin made a comment regards his contract at the club. "There's been no discussions at all, lots of chats with Julian (Winter) and Josh (Marsh) about the summer, what we're doing and planning. We'll continue on that line until we get told otherwise” That gives the impression the coaching staff are in a comfortable position despite a run of results that are pretty shocking, losing the last four out of five as an example. A certain section of fans would disagree and see his position as untenable, others just cannot get enough of the promised future and potential success under Russell Martin.

Couple that with. "I'm really comfortable with the project we're trying to build. The club decided to go on a journey with us, and we hope it's a long one. I feel we're really consistent and the staff I have are brilliant” Of course the results business is just that, Cooper managed it under similarly frustrating football but under less expectation. Martin has promised a lot and delivered little to date, on the pitch, but off it he is clearly hitting the right numbers regards training, ethos and long term implementation. Yes, that can be argued, but what else is keeping him at Swansea performance wise overall ? And we can only hope that the results so far changes. That’s all we have, hope. Even a club like Swansea who are reluctant at to pay Martin off due to the costs involved will have to give way if the current inaction continues.

Joe Allen though has made his position clear. “We are absolutely united and behind the manager. I can’t speak highly enough of him. The same goes for the work we do on the training ground and on a match day. I’ve been fortunate and lucky to work with brilliant managers, and I hold him in the same regard as those top guys. I am convinced that in his career he is going to show exactly why. The players are 100% behind what he does and the responsibility is on us as players to perform more consistently, and that will be the aim going into Monday.”

Yes, the Swans do wheel out players each week throwing themselves behind the Russell Martin cause, and rightly so those players have to take responsibility. The real issue here is if Martin and his staff did go where does that leave the players morale and determination to play under a new appointment ? In the short term at least. That has to come into the owners reckoning. There’s no doubt Martin would find another job, and that he would want some of the players he has brought to Swansea to come with him. Would the Americans see that as a bonus with regards their financial desires ? That of course would depend on the finances of whatever club appointed Russell Martin, but it’s a consideration. Many have said ‘ Who would want the Swansea job’ ? That is easily answered. Any new manager would be coming to a club that gives a mass of time for them to succeed, they wouldn’t be easily sacked. And for that reason it’s a very desirable role. Any doubters please see Russell Martin’s extended time at Swansea even though the situation is not in any way acceptable, results wise.

Then of course there’s the significant work the coaching staff are doing throughout the age grades at the club. That style and possession theory is being introduced across the board. That took Ajax some four years to implement properly. And the national Netherlands side. They remained strong, stuck to their guns and the success was there for all to see. Now we have come this far then why not see how next season goes ? Finally, the result against Rotherham is now all encompassing. After that the games get far tougher and the Swans won’t win them all. That’s four games before the international break. Out of the eight referenced at the start of this run of matches we are three fixtures in. Two losses and a win isn’t good enough of course, so in the immediate this has to change on Monday night.

We have to see some glimpses of the future wishes of Russell Martin, we have to see a win. He has promised energy and total commitment for this Monday night game. We have to see that. Yes, he seems comfortable currently in his role, but the noise will most certainly increase if Monday goes sideways come the end of the game. There’s only so much pressure any owners can take, and if there is disappointment and Martin is still in a job come Tuesday or Wednesday morning maybe the answer for everyone will be obvious ?

Until then there’s no long term plan, just one game in a few days that Swansea City have to win, and hopefully win well. No pressure Russ.

Swansea City v Rotherham United is LIVE on Sky Sports kick off Monday night at 8pm. Tickets are still available

Photograph open source



Please report offensive, libellous or inappropriate posts by using the links provided.


You need to login in order to post your comments

Swansea City Polls

About Us Contact Us Terms & Conditions Privacy Cookies Advertising
© FansNetwork 2025