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Wales Online
Wales Online
Sport
Ian Mitchelmore

Post-Sheffield United speech left Russell Martin close to tears and inspired Swansea City win

Russell Martin has revealed details of a training ground talk given by assistant boss Matt Gill that inspired Swansea City's 3-0 win over Hull City.

The Swans suffered more late heartache in midweek as they conceded in injury-time for the fifth time this season to lose 1-0 at home to Sheffield United.

On the morning after that contest in south Wales, Gill addressed the Swansea players in place of head coach Martin to galvanise the squad ahead of the clash with the Tigers.

READ MORE: Majestic Swansea City player ratings as Wolves loanee shines and others dazzle in Hull City win

"I was really tired on Wednesday, after Tuesday. Gilly had a meeting with the players about what it means to play and behave this way and how he wished he had it in his career and to not let the opportunity pass them by," said Martin.

"What they're really frustrated about is that they've not got more points. We should have. But we have to use that frustration into something that really drives it.

"I was uncharacteristically tired. I was in the meeting, I nearly cried. It was brilliant. I think they'd (players) heard enough of me on Tuesday night and I'd heard enough of myself.

"It's why we have a brilliant support staff. That's why you have brilliant people around you, especially when you have difficult moments, to make sure that you have the energy and give the attention that people require. He took charge on Wednesday and Friday and he was incredible.

"The league is crazy. If you put a few results together you can be in and around it. The process is what it is with us, we're really consistent with it. We'll keep building and we'll see where it takes us."

Swansea responded to that loss against the Blades in perfect fashion by producing a fine display to beat Shota Arveladze's men 3-0.

Ryan Manning, Luke Cundle and Joel Piroe all struck for the hosts who won for the third time this season to move out of the Championship's relegation zone.

The only negative on what was an enjoyable afternoon for Martin's men was the hamstring injury sustained by Wales star Joe Allen in the first-half. But Martin allayed fears that the midfielder will be absent for a significant spell.

“I thought the way the players reacted to it was great because he has become really important for us already," explained Martin.

“But he says he doesn’t feel it’s a bad one. I think he has a good understanding of his body and he is hopeful that he has just come off as more of a precaution because he felt something, rather than it being a serious injury.

“But we won’t know until we get him scanned. I would have thought it gives him a slim chance of being involved on international duty this week.

“But obviously the main focus with the international players we have is to try to make sure they are on the plane in November. He is a really important for us as he is for Wales, so hopefully for everyone’s sake it’s nothing too serious.

“It’s his hamstring. But it’s not the one he has done before. That’s why there’s not a huge amount of concern at the minute.”

Swansea return to action at West Brom on October 1 after the international break.

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