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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Ian Mitchelmore

Alan Curtis insists Swansea City owners have belief Russell Martin will turn the tide after 'letting him down' in January

Alan Curtis believes Swansea City's owners still have full faith in Russell Martin.

The Swans impressed before the campaign was halted for the World Cup in November, with Martin's men reaching as high as fourth place in the Championship at one stage following a run of seven wins from nine matches.

However, they have plummeted down the standings having secured just three wins from their previous 19 league outings, the latest of which saw them lose 1-0 to Luton Town at Kenilworth Road on Saturday.

READ MORE: Jamie Paterson's Swansea City return might be Russell Martin's biggest gamble yet as key questions remain unanswered

Swansea are currently 17th ahead of matches against in-form Middlesbrough, Millwall and Bristol City prior to the international break.

But Swans legend Curtis says the ownership group will feel a degree of responsibility for the club's slump after failing to add a single new player to the squad during the January transfer window.

"I think they're (managers) always under pressure," he told BBC Radio Wales. "It used to be, if you lose six games on the trot, then you were probably looking at dismissal.

"I think they realise, the owners, they have a little bit of responsibility as well. We didn't bring anybody in and I think that they probably realise they let him down somewhat. But I think they've got the belief.

"The fanbase is maybe split 50:50 at the moment. I like Russell, I like him as a person. I don't think we're that far away, it sounds a little bit strange, but it really is a toss of a coin how we're going to play.

"He is under pressure, but he's got a huge belief in what he's doing. It's a difficult time now but get a couple of wins and the tide will turn."

It comes after Martin, along with the Hatters' assistant boss Richie Kyle, was red carded in the latter stages of the contest at Luton following a mass confrontation between players and coaches on the sidelines.

When asked if the incident encapsulated the pressure he is under at present, the 37-year-old responded: "I spoke to all the owners in the last two days and they've been great and they understand the context.

"So if you're talking about pressure, it's only the same pressure as everyone else. The pressure to be your best. The pressure to try and get the most out of your players.

"That wasn't pressure. That was care for the team, and that was feeding off the players' energy. It just didn't need to be two red cards to be honest.

"It happens every week I think on the touchline. It just happened today at Luton where the touchlines are incredibly close to the pitch and incredibly close together."

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