WE WEREN’T AT OUR BEST, BUT WIN WILL EASE TENSION – BOSS
RUSSELL Martin admits he wasn’t entirely happy with Swansea City’s efforts on the ball during their 1-0 victory against Bristol City. Joel Piroe’s first half strike at Ashton Gate proved enough for the Swans to claim their Championship win under the new regime.
However, Martin – while admitting he was delighted with his side’s battling qualities – was quick to point out his side’s flaws after the contest with Nigel Pearson’s men despite what was an encouraging showing from a side that was without a string of first team regulars.
“Being brutally honest, I didn’t like some of it, I think it’s the worst we’ve been with the ball,” he said.
“We turned it over too much, we didn’t take enough care of it. We were anxious. There was a lot of tension.
“We’ve got a lot tired players, we’re on the TV and people are desperate to get that win.
“Listen, we’re going to improve in that. I think that’ll shed a lot of the tension and anxiety we had tonight.
“On the other hand of it, I thought they battled so well, they stayed together and we had the better opportunities on the counter attack.
“In the second half especially, I don’t think they threatened our goal too many times because the guys defended diligently.
“They worked really hard, they had a real mentality of protecting what we had but I would have liked us to enjoy the ball a little bit more. “But I understand it.
“I said to the guys ‘we are going to get better’.
“Tonight will be brilliant for them and the supporters. But we are going to get better, and hopefully, the next time we’re in front it won’t be quite as tense as that was.”
Piroe struck his third goal in Swansea colours to earn the visitors all three points in Bristol.
It comes after the former PSV Eindhoven man netted against Reading and Stoke City.
And Martin could not hide his delight with the striker’s efforts on what was Piroe’s first league start for the club.
“I thought Joel was outstanding. I thought he took his goal brilliantly and he looked a real threat all night,” he added.
“That wasn’t just because of what he did in possession, but he made a lot of runs for the team to give other people space and enabled other people to get the ball.
“He was a real threat and he worked so hard out of possession, he was absolutely finished at the end when we took him off.
“He put in a brilliant shift, he earned his opportunity to start tonight and he has taken it with both hands.”
Meanwhile, Martin is determined to further add to his squad after losing a number of players to injury and Covid-19.
And when asked about the possibility of making more signings after the triumph over the Robins, Martin responded: “We’re working hard at it.
“This window has been very slow in general but I think it will come to life at some point.
“We’re not going to get people for the sake of it, just to try and bring someone in.
“We have clear targets who we are in discussions with. We have a couple of guys who really want to come and play here.
“It’s about making sure the finances are right for us and the club they’re coming from.
£I’m sure by the end of the transfer window that will come to life.”