Martinez Continues Striker Search

It was just 10 days ago that the Saddlers were despatched 2-0 at the Liberty in the Carling Cup, a result that didn't flatter the Swans in a game they dominated. It has been the same story in the two league games to date - domination - but neither time have the Swans come away with the points and they have a return of just 1 point from the 6 available.

However, as with most people, Roberto is happy enough with the performances and believes that the goals will follow soon enough with the way that the football is being played. He refers to the '33 chances' that were created in the opening two league games of the season and, although he is looking for a new striker to replace the departed Lee Trundle, he is looking for someone who he believes can fit seamlessly into the style of play that he has impacted onto the Swans.

And that style of play appears to rule out a move for Swansea born John Hartson who has been linked with a move to the club since God created earth. That maybe a slight exaggeration but it has been a constant link pretty much over the past 12 months although there has never been anything more concrete than speculation linking him with the club. Martinez has been tight lipped all summer on a potential move but some would say that signing three strikers - Jason Scotland, Darryl Duffy and Bussy Mayol - ahead of Hartson tends to suggest that it's not a move that Martinez wants to take and the rumoured move for David Cotterill already seems to have more weight even if it's less voices behind it.

Speaking to the Western Mail regards a move for Hartson, the Swans chief commented "John Hartson has got a fantastic pedigree and played at the highest level

"But the demands of League One is something that people don't take into consideration. There is also the contractual situation of John Hartson as well, we're talking about someone who has got a Premiership contract.

"There are many aspects we have to take into consideration and we keep doing that, but in respect of the way we play and the dynamics of the group, it's a difficult one."

Now there are many that will suggest that Martinez has not ruled out a move for the striker with those comments but whilst there is no categoric denial in so much as 'I will not sign the player' there is enough to suggest that he has been considered but Roberto would rather explore other avenues in his quest to replace his £1m striker.

Roberto will continue with his philosophy of football against Walsall tomorrow knowing that if things carry on the way that they are then the just rewards won't be too far behind. He does believe that he already has the quality within his squad to succeed at this level and it is hard to argue with a man who has seemingly overhauled the whole structure at Swansea during his relatively short tenure in the hot seat "It's important that as well as playing the right way you need to create chances to score goals," said Martinez

"If you play pretty you wouldn't be able to create chances and that is pointless football.

"I've been in British football long enough to know what's needed in this league to be successful.

"That is what is pleasing me because we created 33 chances in the games against Oldham and Nottingham Forest and I guarantee with the quality we've got the goals will come.

"But at the moment everyone is still gelling together and sometimes our final pass in the last third is what we need to improve on.

"That's not a worry, it's a normal thing. The worry in football is how you create chances, but we are doing that and opening defences up."

Martinez also believes that success can be achieved this way and points to a change in style over the past few years as evidence for that. Go back a little while and there was a general belief that to get out of the lower leagues you had to play the more direct style and I guess if you look back to the promotion achieved under Kenny Jackett then it was very much true. However, he believes that in recent years the sides that have played football the "right" way have achieved success and I would certainly look at Blackpool last season as evidence of this.

"I believe that the influence from the Premier League goes down and everyone follows a little bit that pattern of play," he said.

"More teams are trying to play football the right way than they were four or five years ago. It is really encouraging because you can improve easier with certain additions and go up the leagues and not find the gap as big.

"When you need to change your style from one division to another just to make sure you're getting out of that league, I think you need to start from scratch every season.

"That knocks you back,but other teams have won promotion playing good football and it's my nature to play this way."

And there is a cast iron guarantee that if the football remains the same as it is now and promotion is achieved next May under that kind of style then the word "legend" will be applied to the name of Roberto Martinez. I can safely say that despite the results of the first two games, there is a buzz back amongst the support at the moment that will be rewarded and it's becoming a pleasure to watch football again after the disappointments of the previous 12 months or so.

And long may that continue

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