Western Mail

TAKING OUR GOAL ACE OFF MAYBE BACKFIRED, SAYS BOSS

- TOM COLEMAN Football Writer sport@walesonlin­e.co.uk

sage to potential transfer targets too.

“In terms of football, he really feels that we could build over a period of time something that he really wants to be a part of,” Martin added. “For us it’s huge.

“I think it makes life easier. It makes recruitmen­t easier because people can see that he’s signed. It’s surprised a lot of people. A lot of agents.

“I was talking to one and said ‘hopefully we’ll keep Grimesy’ and he laughed at me.

“So I’m looking forward see him again soon!

“If you’re looking at it from a business point of view, it’s a brilliant bit of business. “But there’s so much more to it than that.”

CABANGO EYEING MORE OPPORTUNIT­IES

Martin made just one change on Saturday, with Ben Cabango drafted in to replace the suspended Ryan Bennett. After seeing the start of his season interrupte­d by Covid, the Wales internatio­nal started his first league game since the win over West Bromwich Albion a month ago.

It wasn’t a vintage performanc­e from the centre-back, who recently pulled out of Rob Page’s latest Wales squad.

But it was neverthele­ss a reasonably positive outing for the 21-yearold, who clearly believes his manager is making him a better player, despite the stiff competitio­n for places.

“It’s been hard to get into the team because of how well the boys have been playing,” he said.

“I’ve had an opportunit­y on Saturday; it was a tough game, but I’ve been waiting a while. So hopefully I get some more opportunit­ies.

“It’s a lot different in the position I play, but I’m improving a lot. I’ve come on a lot in the last three months and hopefully I can just keep building on it.”

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 ?? ?? Russell Martin
Russell Martin
 ?? ?? Ben Cabango of Swansea City under pressure from Keshi Anderson of Blackpool
Ben Cabango of Swansea City under pressure from Keshi Anderson of Blackpool

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