Martin plans fresh approach for clash against the Cherries
RUSSELL Martin admits he is likely to make changes to his Swansea City side for the clash with Championship leaders Bournemouth this weekend.
The Swans named the same starting XI for the wins over Peterborough United and Coventry City ahead of tomorrow’s trip to the south coast of England.
Joel Piroe and Olivier Ntcham were withdrawn in both of the previous two matches in a bid to keep them at peak fitness for the contest with the Cherries.
But Martin says he may need to rotate in a bid to keep things fresh as his side bid to topple Scott Parker’s men in what is their final game before the international break.
“It’s about balance. We have been able to give people some time off the pitch in the last few games, Joel and Oli in particular,” said the head coach.
“There will be a change or two, I’m sure of that. With the way we play with intensity and tempo, it’s not easy to keep playing at this level.
“There are guys who are making it really difficult to leave them out and it’s been quite a settled side for the last few games which has helped.
“It’s a balance of work and rest between the two games. Hopefully we’ve got it right.
“In the last three-game week at Birmingham we lacked a little bit of energy when it really mattered in the second half. It still hurts me that we lost that game so we have to avoid that happening again.
“These guys are in a better place physically even since then because of the amount of work they’ve done and the games they’ve got in their legs.”
Jamie Paterson and Piroe both struck in Tuesday night’s win over Coventry at the CBS Arena.
The pair have now netted 15 of Swansea’s 20 Championship goals so far this term while fellow summer signings Ntcham and Michael Obafemi have contributed three league strikes - with Jake Bidwell bagging the other two.
And Martin says the club’s established professionals have played a pivotal role in ensuring the latest recruits have wasted no time in marking their mark in south Wales.
“As a new player, I think it’s quite an easy group to come into. The new guys have really bought into that and have become a really strong part of the group already which is fantastic,” added Martin.
“On the pitch, whether you’re new or old, what you’re being asked to do is really difficult. So I’m really grateful to all of them for what they’re producing. It takes big courage so I’m proud of all of them whether they’ve been here for a long time or if they’ve just come in the door.
“The fact the new signings have hit the ground running is because of the people that are already in this building.
“Grimesy the captain has been incredible, what he brings off the pitch as a leader, Kyle Naughton the same, Ryan Bennett and Ben Hamer have stepped up massively as professionals. I’m delighted with them all.”