Russell Martin has laid out the aims for Swansea City with 12 games of the season still to go.
It's been a transitional year in SA1 for the head coach and the players, with new methodology being implemented. These things take time, with Swansea taking one step forward then a couple back as the squad get to grips with what is being asked of them.
With a dozen matches left, Martin says it is clear they are getting there.
"It’s about trying to develop our players as much as possible," he said.
"I still think we have a lot to play for. We’ve set targets for the group that they agree on, not so much points wise, but KPIs I suppose you’d call them.
"Some of them we’re well on the way to doing. We finally scored a set piece goal. And the young players, we want to try and get them exposure. We want to reward and justify the patience. The support travelling tomorrow tells you everything about this club and the support it gets. We have a really clear way of doing things. I feel like we’re getting there. You saw that on Tuesday night."
Catch up with everything that was said below.
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Blackpool? 2k fans?
It’s a team we know well from playing against them in League One. He’s done a brilliant job. It’ll be a difficult game. They’re really organised. They make it difficult for you and pose a threat in possession as well. They’ve got a group of players who really buy into the staff and what they’re doing. It’s one we’re looking forward to. We’re really close to them in the table and I want to get closer. It’s an important game because of the result the other night as well. It’s important to bounce back in a really important way. We’re excited about it. It’s a long old journey so we’re training early.
Martin
Short-term aim?
I think it's about building momentum and making sure the young guys especially are really in tune with what we need and want. It’s really important we finish strong. Not just for this season, but for next season when we’ll have a bit more time to work with the guys. I think there’s a lot riding on the next 12 games.
Martin
Would you be happy with overall progress?
We all want to be higher up in the league. It’s such a similar pattern to what happened at MK. You build a bit of momentum. But there’s been a lot of challenges this year. When I break it down and what we’re trying to build, I think it’s really clear. There’s still bits we really need to improve on. I feel like we’ve had a bit more threat in recent weeks which has been good. The level of performance at times have been fantastic. I want to be higher up in the league but I'm really happy with the direction. When we came in, there’s just been so much change. I feel like the wheels are slowly turning in the right direction. Now we have to build momentum. I feel like it’s turning into the environment we want it to be. From where we were and where we are, I'm happy. We want our time to be successful here because we feel really connected to it. Lots to be pleased about, but loads to work on.
Martin
Can't lose focus?
The young players we have are desperate to be better and improve. They will give us everything they’ve got. For some of the older players with a little less certainty, it’s a chance to make sure they’re either a part of this moving forward or can go elsewhere. Everyone has different motivation. The aim for us is to finish strong, try and get as many points as possible and to try and keep improving performances. We have some really good older pros. Kyle Naughton, Grimesy, Pato, he’ll want to finish the season strong. Everyone is motivated. I’ve got no worries that there’ll be any complacency. Everyone knows what it takes to get into the team and stay.
Martin
12 games to go
It’s about trying to develop our players as much as possible. I still think we have a lot to play for. We’ve set targets for the group that they agree on, not so much points wise, but KPIs I suppose you’d call them. Some of them we’re well on the way to doing. We finally scored a set piece goal. And the young players, we want to try and get them exposure. We want to reward and justify the patience. The support travelling tomorrow tells you everything about this club and the support it gets. We have a really clear way of doing things. I feel like we’re getting there. You saw that on Tuesday night.
Martin
Fulham
The way we started the game, it was a really good game. 11 v 11 it was really tight, not much between the teams. Hopefully when we've been like that, we get better as the game goes on. I’m really frustrated for everyone it ended how it did. But we have to put it into context. Where we were just three weeks ago, a really tough defeat, but how much they’ve learnt in a couple of weeks, what they've done on the pitch has been incredible. I said all the way along, on our day, we can compete with most teams in the league. It’s just about finding consistency. Despite the result, they’re disappointed, but the boys understand the bigger picture.
Martin
Squad news
Ogbeta is in the squad tomorrow. Hannes Wolf is back. Flynn Downes and Cyrus Christie will be in the squad.
Manning banned
Russell Martin confirms Ryan Manning will serve a four-game ban after an unsuccessful appeal.
Slight delay
Slight delay here at Fairwood. We'll bring you everything from the gaffer as soon as we can.
Schedule update
The Swans were given Thursday off to recover ahead of the trip to Blackpool.
Players will undergo a session at Fairwood this morning shortly after Russell Martin's press conference before making the trip to Blackpool this afternoon.
It's a long trip to Bloomfield Road, so safe travels to the 1,850 or so fans heading up!
Welcome
Good morning, Jacks!
It's an early start for today's press briefing.
Stay with us for updates.
