Martin: I am Swan to blame
RUSSELL MARTIN has told Swansea City fans he should take the blame when his re-boot at the club occasionally crashes.
The Swans host Bristol City today off the back of a thumping 3-0 defeat at Stoke City that damaged their fragile hopes of a play-off spot.
A total of 10 players left during the January window, with only six coming in.
“Ultimately, I am in charge and things are my responsibility – including carrying a smaller squad,” head coach Martin said.
“I have sent players out on loan because that was part of a long-term development plan for both them and the club.
“Would those players have made a difference to us on a difficult midweek trip at Stoke? I’m not so sure. But we lacked energy,
I got things wrong with the selection, and we all have to learn from that.”
The Swans will welcome Ryan Manning back from a suspension but will be without Kyle Naughton and Nathanael Ogbeta, their capture from Shrewsbury who has yet to play.
But Jamie Paterson – who was rested from the starting line-up at Stoke – is set to start against his former club.
The midfielder – who has settled his recent contract stand-off – has been Swansea’s most creative influence this season after leaving the Robins on a free transfer last summer.
Bristol City manager Nigel Pearson insists he has no regrets about allowing Paterson to go.
“I told him early on that it was time for him to move on, but it was nothing personal,” Pearson said.
Pearson will be without winger Callum O’Dowda, who is sidelined with a knee problem, while midfielder Han-Noah Massengo faces a test on an injured hip.