Russell Martin admits he was determined to thank his players and staff together as Swansea City celebrated in a huddle following their 2-0 victory over Bristol City.
The Swans went into the contest without a win in six matches but secured a deserved victory over the Robins courtesy of goals from Liam Cullen and Olivier Ntcham at the Swansea.com Stadium.
It was only Swansea's second win since the well-documented frustrations of the January transfer window and one that puts them in good stead heading into the second south Wales derby of the season against Cardiff City after the international break.
And Martin has revealed what he said to his players after his side's morale-boosting triumph over Nigel Pearson's outfit.
"I just think it was really important that we shared that moment together," he said. "We've shared some really tough moments recently.
"I just wanted to look them in the eyes and tell them I'm really grateful for today and for the courage they showed.
"It's not an easy circumstance to play in with the period we've been going through, with the opposition we have and with just everything around it and a lot of the noise.
"It'll be incredibly important and positive for a young group of men and staff. I just wanted to look everyone in the eye and thank them and tell them we're grateful for that performance and for everything they've given us over the last however long.
"Tough times don't last. I think we've learnt to much as a group of staff over this period, I think the players have as well. I think we all realise what's really important, it's to always try and play this way and to have the courage to do it first and foremost, the courage to stick to it, and then the willingness to work so hard for it and they showed that today."
Swansea dominated long spells of the opening half and took the lead as Cullen drilled a low first time shot beyond Max O'Leary to register his seventh goal of the campaign in the 34th minute.
Ntcham rifled home his sixth of the season and his side's second of the afternoon with 13 minutes remaining to cap off a fine victory, with Martin's men keeping their first clean sheet of 2023 in the process.
And Martin says the three points will significantly help to lift the mood ahead of the clash with Cardiff City in a fortnight.
"A lot of pride and a lot of gratitude for the way the players played. I think Tuesday (against Millwall), although we lost, was really good for us in terms of performance," added the head coach.
“I think the lads rose in confidence after Tuesday and we have been building for the last few weeks.
"We're back to where we want to be and today we got what we deserved. I think it would have been much more difficult over the next couple of weeks, if we didn’t win today, with the game that we have next.
“So I am really pleased that they were able to perform with that courage and intensity, the desire to win. I think it will be so important for us moving forward.
“We limited them to very little. They score an offside goal at the end. It's the most pleasing thing for us, how brave the line was at that point.
“The players are fighting, they're working so hard. The most important thing is they are showing real belief in what they are doing and courage to carry it out.
"We're not going to get carried away with one win, we need to build on that now. But I think it gives us a real positive place to build from.
"I think it will relax people who have been feeling a certain way about me or the team or the group. Maybe it won’t relax them, but it will certainly relax people around the club and I think that will do us the world of good.”
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