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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Ian Mitchelmore

Russell Martin says there's been no talks over his job and is already planning 'huge' summer for Swansea City

Russell Martin has not held talks with Swansea City's owners over his position as head coach and admits he's continuing to plan for what will be a pivotal summer for the club.

The Swans drifted further away from the Championship's play-off places this week following back-to-back defeats against Blackburn Rovers and Stoke City, with Martin's men emerging victorious in just three of their previous 17 league fixtures.

Fans vented their frustrations after Tuesday night's 3-1 loss to the Potters at the Swansea.com Stadium, a result that meant the Swans have lost four of their five games since the January transfer window closed.

READ MORE: Off-field incompetence is hitting Swansea City where it hurts most as Russell Martin left on the ropes

And Martin says he fully understands the disappointment of the Jack Army after what has been a testing period for the Swans.

"I understand it, of course I do," he said. "Everyone wants their team to win, everyone cares about their team.

"I think, the only choice we have, however you feel about me, the owners or the team, I think the only option we have is to support the team, especially with so many young players in it. I won't stop saying that because it's a fact. The only way you can develop young players is to get them through these experiences.

"On Monday night we have no choice but to try and turn up and energise the fans with the performance and hope that's reciprocated in their support for the team because they've been brilliant since we came to the football club.

"The last few weeks have been a little bit different, I understand that with the results that have happened and everything that's gone on. We care as much as any supporter, we feel it just as much as anyone. It's a brilliant place with brilliant people. We love the people we work with and the players.

"We have to try and build confidence from somewhere. They're running so hard for each other, they're trying their very best, we're trying our very best and if everyone does that eventually we'll be OK."

And when asked if he has spoken to the club's ownership group about his position, Martin responded: "There's been no discussions at all, lots of chats with Julian (Winter) and Josh (Marsh) about the summer, what we're doing and planning. We'll continue on that line until we get told otherwise.

"We're 12th in the table, we're the youngest team in the league, they play some brilliant football at times, we concede too many goals and make a few too many mistakes. I'm pretty sure we also have one of the youngest managers in the league, and I'm going to make mistakes, I have done.

"I feel like I've had more to deal with in the last four months than I've had to in the previous three years, with players, transfer windows and so much going on. We are where we are.

"I'm really comfortable with the project we're trying to build. The club decided to go on a journey with us, and we hope it's a long one. I feel we're really consistent and the staff I have are brilliant.

"I'm not enjoying the results, no-one is, but I'm really enjoying the job and the people we're doing it with. I want to be here, how long other people want me here is not for me to decide."

Martin recently spoke of his desire to have his own contract situation resolved, one way or another, for the benefit of the club as a whole.

It comes as he admitted Ryan Manning would move on to pastures new in the summer, with others such as Joel Latibeaudiere and Kyle Naughton seeing their contracts expire following the conclusion of the current campaign.

And Swans boss Martin says the club have a significant amount of work to do during the close season to ensure they can improve ahead of what will be his third campaign in south Wales.

"It's going to be a busy summer, it's going to be a huge summer for the club," he added. "There's going to be a lot of gaps in positions and there's going to be things we'll need to add based on the evidence of this season.

"Things we didn't add in the last summer or in January we'll need this summer. Of course we're going to work really hard on that. That's our job whilst we're here, it's to put the club in the best place possible to win football matches. None of that stops.

"If you start living day to day, game to game, of course we focus so much on each game that comes up, but we also have a big plan in place for the young players here. The amount of time we spend with the academy, other managers said don't bother, it's pointless, but it's what we were brought here to do.

"All we're going to ask on Monday is for everyone to show as much courage as they possible can, to run and sweat as much as they possibly can for us and I genuinely believe that'll be enough for us."

Jay Fulton and Luke Cundle both missed the 3-1 defeat to Stoke City through injury but are expected to be included in the matchday squad against Rotherham United on Monday night. Kick-off is at 8pm.

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