Russell Martin frustrated with "soft" goal that his Swans side conceded at Ashton Gate

Swansea boss Martin spoke to the press after their 1-1 draw with fellow Championship side Bristol City.

Russell Martin frustrated with "soft" goal that his Swans side conceded at Ashton Gate
(Photo by Athena Pictures/Getty Images)
harryware07
By Harry Ware

Swansea City were forced into a replay at Ashton Gate, after Russell Martin's side failed to hold onto a 0-1 lead in the FA Cup Third Round. 

Joel Piroe gave the Swans the lead after a slip up at the back for Bristol City. After Robins goalkeeper Max O'Leary played the ball into central defender Rob Atkinson, the former Oxford United man gave the ball straight to Liam Cullen, who set up Piroe to put Swansea ahead. 

However, Bristol City levelled with 15 minutes left to play after Antonie Semenyo got on the end of a Andreas Weimann cross, sending the tie into a replay. 

 

Swansea boss Russell Martin spoke to the media after the game. Whilst he was happy with his side's first half display, he was left disappointed that the Swans could not finish the game off:

“I thought we were brilliant in the first half. We had so much intensity, I thought we tried to threaten a bit too much and a bit too early at times.” 

“We should have had more sustained attacks probably, but I thought some of the build-up play was incredible."

“We needed to make more of the moments when we get into the box. The players were in a bit of a rush, and there was a slight lack of quality."

Despite not being able to hold out for the win, Martin emphasised his delight at the first half performance by his side:

“The composure the boys at the back showed in the first half was incredible. We limited them to very little, if anything at all, and we really liked the aggression we showed and the willingness to run.

 

Russell Martin has been known for his controlling possession style, both at Milton Keynes Dons and now Swansea where he has adopted the same tactical preference. 

Swansea have been on an inconsistent run of results in recent weeks, and whilst Martin believes performances have improved in their last two games, he knows there is work to be done when keeping the ball:

“The guys at the back needed a bit more help in possession and then we have a couple of players who dip in intensity - that’s on us as a coaching staff, maybe we worked them a bit too hard this week after the three games in six days. 

“But we felt it was a good opportunity to build on two positive performances and we did carry that on in the first half."

The Swansea boss was left frustrasted with the goal his side conceded with just 15 minutes left to play, as Semenyo equalised for Bristol City:

“The goal we concede is a soft one, so it’s frustrating, but there’s loads of positives to take from it and we’re still in the hat for the next round, we have a chance at home now.”

Swansea will face Bristol City on January 17 in the FA Cup replay, 19:45 GMT (Subject to change), but face a trip to the Stadium of Light before that on January 14, as they face Sunderland in the Championship, 15:00 GMT.