Swansea City are set to return to Championship action this weekend, with Russell Martin looking to build on a promising opening half of the season.
The Swans host Martin's former club Norwich City at the Swansea.com Stadium on Saturday, and currently sit eighth in the Championship, level on points with sixth-placed Queens Park Rangers.
Some members of the Jack Army may quietly be dreaming of a third play-off finish in four years, while others may be slightly nervous about the prospect of having to navigate the often choppy waters of the January window.
We asked Swans fans what they'd like to see happen over the coming few weeks. Here's what they said....
'Right wing-back still a concern'
Name : Terry Sinnett
Age: 70
First game: At The Vetch in 1962
1) Swansea find themselves very much in the top-six reckoning heading into the second half of the season. What's been the most pleasing aspect of this campaign?
Every Swans fan, I’m sure, would have bitten your hand off at the start of the season, to be where we are now. Many were seeing survival in the Championship as the main priority. While survival is not guaranteed at this time, the steady progress made has been welcomed, with the evolution of the squad and the way of playing being positives - even allowing for the ups and downs that are inevitable in this most challenging of leagues.
2) Does Russell Martin need to change anything? Any players who you'd like to be seeing more of?
He's a young, inexperienced manager who is learning on the job. The style he wants us to adopt is evolving as is the use of some of the players he has available. Classic case in point is Steven Benda who endured a torrid start to the season but is now arguably one of the pivots of the team. Martin will need to constantly change and adapt his philosophies to suit the game in front of him. To recognise those changes are perhaps the hardest things he needs to do. I think some youngsters didn’t have the run of games that perhaps they deserved before being sent out on loan - Morgan Whittaker, Kyle Joseph and Jordon Garrick spring to mind - but hopefully they will have their chances next season and replicate Benda’s success this season. Brandon Cooper, too, deserves some game-time.
3) More broadly speaking, are there any off-field changes you would like to see implemented?
Off the field, I think one of the biggest issues is the lack of communication from the majority ownership. It can be seen that Jake Silverstein is endeavouring to improve that but there’s a long way to go. The local management team, in my experience, are really good people who are committed to the club and they can take credit for the way they run the operation. There are many issues facing football generally outside of the EPL - too many to cover here!
4) What do Swansea need in the upcoming transfer window?
The main requirement from the forthcoming window is to retain the existing squad, to see this season through. Our main assets are Ben Cabango, Matty Grimes and Joel Piroe. I’d probably add Steven Benda in there too now. RWB is still a cause for concern so an addition to the squad in that position would be positive.
5) What's been your overall verdict on Russell Martin's reign? Are you confident he's the man to take Swansea forward?
I am confident Martin can take the club forward. His project requires patience and the support of everyone, even when there are times when you think otherwise! He has a vision of where he wants to take us, articulates that well, and with everyone behind him, we may, just may, make it. As we see too often, and with rugby in the last few days, coaches are in a results-driven industry. Time is a golden commodity and finding the balance between team development and results is a fine one.
'We need to be more clinical but next season could be our time'
Name: Lisa Phillips
Age : 32
First game: 2002
1) Swansea find themselves very much in the top-six reckoning heading into the second half of the season. What's been the most pleasing aspect of this campaign?
The first thing is obviously winning the Cardiff game! I'd also say coming back to win games when we've gone behind - we've gone a few goals down on some occasions and come back to win.
2) Does Russell Martin need to change anything? Any players who you'd like to be seeing more of?
I'd like him to stick to the same defence - chopping and changing can have an effect. Harry Darling I would like to play more as he can pop up with a goal. Jamie Paterson hopefully starting and scoring more. Hopefully he's over his injury problems.
3) More broadly speaking, are there any off-field changes you would like to see implemented?
Only thing I can think of off field is the opening hours of the club shop/ticket office. The majority of people work 9-5 and these are when these are open. I struggle to go to these if I do have any issues or just wanted to browse the shop!
4) What do Swansea need in the upcoming transfer window?
We need an attacking midfielder as our midfield can be quite defensive and not many goals come from there. Maybe a striker as we do need to be more clinical.
5) What's been your overall verdict on Russell Martin's reign? Are you confident he's the man to take Swansea forward?
He needed time at the start which he got given. I am confident he is the man for us but every game we need our defence to be solid and take our chances. We could have been higher in the table if we didn't make silly mistakes and not been clinical. If we can sign a few more players then next season could be our time.
Oko-Flex has the pace and trickery we lack
Name : Nigel Davies
Age : 49
First game : 1977
1) Swansea find themselves very much in the top-six reckoning heading into the second half of the season. What's been the most pleasing aspect of this campaign?
The most pleasing aspect of the season so far for me is the fact that we are up there perhaps unexpectedly battling away for a play- off spot rather than flailing against relegation like our friends up the road. But there’s a tinge of frustration too as a little better game management earlier in the season would see us in the box seats for a play-off place. The quality of our football at times, the emergence of Ollie Cooper and the knowledge that there’s so much more to come from this group also get the black and white blood pumping.
2) Does Russell Martin need to change anything? Any players who you'd like to be seeing more of?
We still look vulnerable at the back despite a marked improvement with the introduction of Steve Benda between the sticks over Andy Fisher. A little more consistency in selection of the back three would be welcome and I would like to see a Wood/Darling/Cabango trio given a run of games to truly gel and build up a crucial understanding. As for players I’d like to see more of, the exciting Armstrong Oko-Flex has the pace and trickery that we lack entirely and it would be good to see him unleashed a lot more during the second half of the season.
3) More broadly speaking, are there any off-field changes you would like to see implemented?
I think there have been enough off-field changes over the last few years, what with the turnover of directors of football and coaches and the introduction of Jake Silverstein into the ownership mix. I want to see a bit of stability off the field and…proof of life where Kaplan and Levien are concerned. No, I’m desperately fearing them and seeking reassurance, I just want to know they're still alive behind the scenes!
4) What do Swansea need in the upcoming transfer window?
The first thing the Swans need in the transfer window is a bit of cash to play with. A dynamic right wing-back to mirror the outstanding Ryan Manning on the left would make the world of difference to us and maybe we can land a prospect on loan, but any serious business will need a sale or two in order to make space on the wage bill. I think the best we can hope for is that we get through the transfer window without losing any of our key assets.
5) What's been your overall verdict on Russell Martin's reign? Are you confident he's the man to take Swansea forward?
Russell Martin’s reign has been blighted by inconsistency so far; in fact the only consistent thing has been the inconsistency on show - whether it be in results, performances or team selections. But let’s be honest here, any manager would struggle to turn us into an unstoppable Championship force given our financial restrictions. Martin has to be given time, and as long as he keeps us away from the relegation zone and continues to learn from his mistakes (which thankfully this season he’s starting to do) then he’s earned the right to take the Swans forward. And hopefully we will all be rewarded for that patience with a Swans side consistently playing the flowing football that Martin’s style has tantalisingly produced in fits and starts.
'Give Russ a new contract now'
Name : Harry Palmer
Age : 56
First game: It would have been around 1977. Harry Griffiths was the manager. Keith Barber in goal. Pat Lally, Eddie May, Kevin Moore, Bartley, Bruton. Curt, Charlo and Robbie starting to make regular impacts.
1) Swansea find themselves very much in the top-six reckoning heading into the second half of the season. What's been the most pleasing aspect of this campaign?
I like that Martin has finally tweaked the style after a sticky period. And he’s not been frightened to drop more established players who have not performed, giving Fulton, Benda and Ollie Cooper especially, their chances to shine - which they have taken. Goals are being scored from all over the pitch, not just from strikers and that's a major plus.
2) Does Russell Martin need to change anything? Any players who you'd like to be seeing more of?
I’d like to see us shoot more from outside the box, rather than keep passing - Spain losing to Morocco was a carbon copy of where we often fail. Play the conditions - greasy surface, shoot! We also need to move the ball much quicker. Not all the time. But more often than we do. I’d like to see more of Oko-Flex. And Brandon Cooper get some game-time.
3) More broadly speaking, are there any off-field changes you would like to see implemented?
The owners to be more transparent, and especially allow the Trust to be open about where ‘promotion windfall cash’ they will be due is coming from, as well as all aspects of the deal.
4) What do Swansea need in the upcoming transfer window?
Keep their best players, if possible! Definitely not sell on the cheap. Right wing-back is still an issue. If Fin Stevens or Oko-Flex are not the answers, we need to find it to be contenders. Tie up contracts on those ending this and next season.
5) What's been your overall verdict on Russell Martin's reign? Are you confident he's the man to take Swansea forward?
I am mostly happy with Martin's reign so far. He’s obviously a young manager, learning and making mistakes. He also has a very young team, and it is clear to me that some of those players have come on leaps and bounds. Cabango, Cooper, Benda, Latibeaudiere, Manning, Wood. But he must keep evolving the system, like Brendan and Laudrup did, if he wants sustainable success. But I’d give him a new contract now.
'Bring Congreve back into fold'
Name : Paul Thomas
Age : 49
First game: 1980
1) Swansea find themselves very much in the top-six reckoning heading into the second half of the season. What's been the most pleasing aspect of this campaign?
Probably the resilience. There have been some testing times to deal with earlier on, particularly the points dropped from very late goals, but we seem to have worked through that and found a couple of crucial late goals ourselves. It takes character to be able to bounce back from disappointments such as the way the Millwall game ended amongst others, but the team seem to have dealt with it pretty well. Certainly better than I have!
2) Does Russell Martin need to change anything? Any players who you'd like to be seeing more of?
Well, I'm glad he's changed that ridiculous goal kick routine as that was doing us no favours whatsoever! I was disappointed that Cam Congreve was sidelined so quickly after a couple of mistakes. I feel there's a big talent there and while there's an argument for him being protected, I think he's good enough now to be making a positive contribution and hopefully will get that opportunity between now and the end of the season. I'd also question why Martin insists on playing with wing-backs when (Manning aside), we don't have any.
3) More broadly speaking, are there any off-field changes you would like to see implemented?
Other than more staff in the food and drink outlets on the concourse so it's possible to get served and not have to miss 10 minutes of the game, there's not much that I could realistically wish for. I'd like to say for the American owners to show a modicum of interest, but I'm not sure if that would be a positive thing or not.
4) What do Swansea need in the upcoming transfer window?
The need for a genuine right wing-back is glaringly obvious, especially if we are to continue playing this formation. The squad is also desperately short of pace, and has been for some time.
5) What's been your overall verdict on Russell Martin's reign? Are you confident he's the man to take Swansea forward?
The jury is very much out. I appreciate what he's trying to do and to some extent he's doing it with one arm tied behind his back, certainly compared to the resources that were available to Steve Cooper. However, there are times where he doesn't help himself and the failure to bring in a wing-back in the summer has really hampered any progress. I'd be seeing how the rest of the season goes before opening any discussions on a new contract.
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