Russell Martin lavished praise on Liam Cullen for his telling impact in Swansea City's 4-0 win over Watford after admitting his squad to face the Hornets was full of players who were willing to give their all for the shirt.
Cullen was handed his first league start since August 2021 against the Hertfordshire outfit, and the academy product fully repaid the faith shown in him by Martin as he registered his third goal in as many matches in addition to claiming an assist.
It comes after the likes of Jamie Paterson and Michael Obafemi were omitted from the matchday 18 to face Slaven Bilic's side, and Martin could not hide his delight with the endeavour shown by those who took to the field against Watford.
"I'm really proud of the players. We feel like it's been coming," he said.
"I got asked if it's been a really tough moment in my managerial career with not winning in eight games. The tough bit is the result and the outcome which is all anyone's interested in because that's the game. It's not been tough to work with these players. The process hasn't been tough. They've stuck with it.
"I've watched with real pride most of the time. We played a bit of a different shape tonight and I really liked it. We've done a lot of work on a back four.
"I'm pleased for the supporters, it was a really good atmosphere tonight. I think the players are a little bit relieved."
And on Cullen, Martin said: "It's been really difficult for him previously because last season, in the second half, Michael and Joel Piroe were both firing. He's the oldest out of the three of them, two big assets for the club.
"But it's his willingness to persevere, knock on my door and say he deserves a chance. He trains like a beast all the time.
"He's come on and impacted the last two games. He's taken an opportunity when there's other people out of the squad and he's found himself in it because of the hard work he gives. It's all we want, people who really care, run and give us 100%.
“Take Stevie [Steven Benda] out of it, we had 10 players we trusted and give absolutely everything, people on the bench we trusted to run and give us absolutely everything. That’s all we ask for."
Obafemi is yet to feature since the World Cup break, although Martin has confirmed both the Republic of Ireland international and Paterson are not injured at present.
"I'm really grateful for their contribution last season," he added. "This season I don't think there's been a huge contribution in terms of stats and goals. The bottom line is there were 18 players in the squad tonight who deserved to be in it more than the others. That's all there is to it really."
And when pressed on Obafemi specifically, Martin responded: “The door’s never closed. We have shown that last year, shown it at my last club – the door is never closed for anyone.
“But the relationship needs to be reciprocal. We give the players everything we possibly can and we still wonder if that’s enough.
“But energy is not limitless, it is not boundless. At some point it needs to be reciprocal and at some point it’s better investing it in people who really want it.”
Goals from Cullen and Joel Latibeaudiere along with a Joel Piroe brace handed Swansea their joint-biggest win under the current regime against Watford.
Victory lifted the Swans back into the top half of the Championship table, with Martin's men now just a point off the top six ahead of Monday's clash with Burnley.
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