Russell Martin's dressing room message to players at…

Russell Martin's dressing room message to players at Sunderland as Swansea City boss reveals transfer concern

Russell Martin urged his Swansea City players to enjoy their victory over Sunderland after admitting the dressing room was somewhat subdued after the 3-1 success against the Black Cats.

Joel Piroe, Liam Cullen and Ollie Cooper all struck in the second-half at the Stadium of Light as Swansea secured their second win in three league games and their first of 2023.

However, Tony Mowbray's men played the majority of the game with just 10 men after Luke O'Nien was sent off following a reckless challenge on Cooper after just 18 minutes.

And Martin says his troops deserved to enjoy their success - one which lifted them back into the top half of the Championship table.

"I'm really pleased with the players. It's such a tough place to come," he said. "They started the game really well, the crowd and atmosphere here is so good. I said that to the players before the game.

"The game changes on the sending off. It took us a little while to manage the emotion of that, because the crowd were so up.

"It was about settling things down at half-time. We got too involved in some petty stuff towards the end of the first-half which didn't serve us, it only served the Sunderland fans in giving them more energy.

"The balance between being patient and keeping the ball speed really quick, I thought we did that really well in the second-half.

"Once we were in their half, I thought some of the play was really good. I'm disappointed to concede a goal. They're down to 10 men and we limited them to very little.

"On the whole, I'm really pleased. The players weren't smiling enough in the dressing room because they (Sunderland) were down to 10 men, so maybe it felt a bit of an anti climax.

"Maybe the expectation is that you have to win in that situation, so I've told them they need to smile a bit more and enjoy that, it's three really important points."

Meanwhile, the head coach confirmed there is no progress with potential transfer business at the club.

Morgan Whittaker, Michael Obafemi and Jamie Paterson are among those who could leave the Swans this month - with Coventry City showing an interest in Paterson.

However, Martin confirmed that they have received no contact from the Sky Blues for the 31-year-old while also stating they have been dealt a setback in their bid to bolster their ranks.

"Nothing's changed on anything since we last spoke," said Martin.

"Mark [Robins] and Adi [Viveash] are two people we respect hugely and know really well. We haven't spoken to either of them and I think they would have been in conversation at some point. That's that really."

And on possible incomings, Martin said: "I don't know. I don't think so. I'd rather talk about today because literally nothing has changed since I last spoke to you.

"We're probably further away from doing something than we were. That's where it is really.

"Probably at times today it was quite evident what we lack a little bit. But we've come through it, scored three goals and it's a brilliant victory.