Russell Martin has revealed he had a frank chat with Olivier Ntcham after Swansea's City's Carabao Cup defeat to Oxford United.
The attacker failed to impress after being summoned from the bench as the Swans threw a two-goal lead at the Kassam Stadium before losing in a penalty shootout. However, Ntcham was the hero just four days later as he netted the winner at Blackpool on Saturday which earned Swansea their first victory of the campaign.
Martin believes Ntcham's desire to be on hand to tap home Michael Obafemi's pass against the Tangerines proved the 26-year-old took his words on board.
"It's a big moment for Michael," said Martin. "He's not scored yet. It would have been really easy to try to take the chance. The run from Olivier was outstanding. Me and Olivier had a really good chat after Tuesday [Oxford], I was disappointed with him when he came on, he was disappointed with himself.
"He has so much potential and ability. He just ran so hard, and that's the reward. It's a brilliant message for him and the players."
Victory ensured the 1,500 or so members of the Jack Army left Blackpool in buoyant mood, with Swansea particularly impressing in the first half. However, they needed Andy Fisher to deny Jerry Yates from the penalty spot early on in the second half.
Following frustrating results against Rotherham United, Blackburn Rovers and Oxford, Martin admitted he was delighted with the energy his side showed in blistering heat on the north-west coast of England.
"We started the game brilliantly, after Josh Bowler's moment," added the head coach. "Fish produced a brilliant moment and it energised the team. We were so good in the first half.
"I loved the aggression of the players and the intensity. We probably risked the ball more today in the first half than we have done for a very long time.
"We started the second half really poorly. He dives [for the penalty] and Blackpool had a really good spell. Fish saves the penalty, and he's been great, it's a great moment for him.
"We got a bit flustered and I think the tension of not winning a game adds to that. But we finally got a foothold in the game again and we were the team that looked like scoring. They had a couple of moments on the counter.
"We need to be better than we were in the second half, but I loved so much about the performance, the supporters and we kept a clean sheet."
Swansea return to action against Millwall on Tuesday night. Kick-off is at 7.45pm.
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