Russell Martin: We’re fully focused on continuing this good run

With an outside chance still on that his side can still make the Championship play-offs, the Swans boss is taking each game as it comes focusing on high-performance levels as the main priority.

However, it is now 19 points from the last 21 for Martin’s in-form side after the Swans’ most complete performance of the season in the 3-0 victory against Norwich at Carrow Road last weekend put them back in promotion contention.

Goals from Joel Latibeaudiere, Liam Cullen and Olivier Ntcham over Martin’s former club and one of the Swans play-off rivals, a strong statement that his side has certainly not given up on finishing in the play-off mix. 

The Swans now take the long journey to Humberside to face Hull City on Saturday afternoon (3pm) at the MKM stadium looking to build on their growing momentum as the league’s form side.

Lying in 12^th place in the Championship table and three points shy of sixth-placed Sunderland, the Swans will need a victory against Liam Rosenior’s midtable side to continue any hopes of disturbing the top six places.

Another three points against the Tigers would extend the Swans’ fine unbeaten run to eight matches. With a combination of luck and results going their way, Martin’s could still be in the reconning to finish strongly in the final play-off position come five o’clock Saturday night.

With just one fixture remaining then after this weekend, there is the potential of a nervy jangling bank holiday bonanza match-up with West Bromwich Albion on Monday 8^th May at the Swansea.com Stadium. The Baggies, also firmly in the mix, are one point and three places above the Jack Army. 

For now, for Martin, attention is firmly on finishing the season strongly and carrying on his side’s four-match winning run on Saturday.

“Until it is mathematically not possible [to reach the play-off’s], I guess they are on but there is a lot of work to do and a lot of permutations to unfold”, said Martin.

“It’s not something we’re really focused on. We’re focused on performance and continuing this run.

“The higher we finish up the better it is for everyone. That’s the aim now, we want to get into the top ten between now and the last game and take it to the last game and see what happens.

“We’re going to play a Hull team who have got really good home form. Liam’s [Rosenior] done a great job there. They play with a good style, not too dissimilar from us.

“It’ll be a tough game but one we’re really excited about because of the sort of zone we’re in and the feeling we have within the group. We really want to keep the run going, we want to win.”

The Swans boss revealed he will be missing the midfield trio of Joe Allen, Jay Fulton and Liam Walsh for the trip to Humberside but hopes to have the latter two available for the visit of West Bromwich Albion.

“There’s no Joe Allen with suspension and no Jay Fulton unfortunately either, he’s been battling with a niggle for a few weeks, and it’s just caught up with him a little bit. There’s no point in risking him. He’ll hopefully be back next week,” continued Martin.

“It’s the same with Liam Walsh as well. He’s picked up a small strain. Nothing major at all really. We’re hoping to get him back quickly but with his injury record, we just have to be a bit careful.”

(Lead image: Swansea City FC)