Russell Martin held a press conference this morning ahead of the Swans game at Birmingham City on Saturday.
Buoyed by two excellent wins over Cardiff City and West Bromwich Albion during the past week, the Swans visit St. Andrew’s to face a Birmingham side who are winless in seven league games.
The Blues also have the 4th worst home record in the Championship and will provide the Swans with the sort of banana skin game that we have so often fallen foul of.
That said, the Swans go into the game having claimed back-to-back wins for the first time under Russell Martin and here is what the Swansea manager had to say about the Birmingham City clash.
Swansea team news for Birmingham
One doubt is Flynn Downes, who picked up a hamstring injury against West Brom and will be assessed before the team travel to the Midlands.
Martin had good news on other players though:
“Ryan Manning is back in the squad, Obafemi is in the squad. We’ll have to assess Flynn and see how he is out on the grass this morning.”
“He’s [Michael Obafemi] trained really well this week so he’s back to where he feels he needs to be and we feel he should be to get on to the pitch.”
“I think it’s important we don’t bring him back too quickly and risk re-injuring him. He’s missed quite a lot of pre-season, he didn’t have a pre-season here.
“I want him back as quickly as possible but there’s a long-term plan here and we have to let our heads rule our hearts and not be emotional about it and make sure that the brilliant sports science and medical team are listened to. He’s back in the squad and in a really good place.”
“Rhys [Williams] has been good, he’s responded brilliantly. He had a tough week or two after what happened at Luton and had a tough night at Brighton. He showed great bravery to come out and play straight away.
“We’ve had a lot of chats, Liverpool sent their loan manager down and he’s been really impressed with what he’s seen and the way Rhys has trained and worked. It’s part of every young player’s journey, sometimes you have to be patient.
“He only came out of the team in the first place because he had a tight groin. He’s found it really hard to come back in because the boys have played so well, and he understands that.”
The Mood in the Swansea Camp
“We as a group of staff really believe in something, trust it and put a lot of work in to it and the players have been the same.
“We’re really fortunate that we have a group of players that really give themselves to it.”
Thoughts on Birmingham City
Ian Bowyer’s Birmingham City side have not won any of their last seven league outings while they have failed to score in each of their previous six Championship matches.
Unsurprisingly, the Blues offered little in the final third on Wednesday night at Huddersfield, but a solid defensive display helped the Midlands side walk away with a clean sheet and a point.
Despite Birmingham’s form, Martin remains wary:
“It’s a brilliant challenge for us after two really strong performances, it’s a challenge to go there and be the relentless team that we want to be.”
“I’ve watched a couple of their games and went to see them at QPR. They pose a real threat, they’re a real strong aggressive team.
“They’ve got some real experience and strength and it’ll be a tough test for us.”
The Swans record of results at St. Andrew’s doesn’t make for good reading, but perhaps this weekend will give the Martin’s men a chance to at least make it look a little bit better.