Russell Martin admits he would have left Swansea City after the January transfer window if he was not convinced that he could bring the good days back to the club.
The Swans endured a torrid winter window, failing to sign a single player, despite being just four points off the top six by the time February came around.
But Martin's men have been on a wretched run of form since that frustrating month, collecting just four points from the 27 on offer to drop down to 17th place in the Championship table while they are now 17 points off the play-off spots ahead of their final game before the international break against Bristol City.
Despite the poor results, the Swans produced a positive showing at Millwall on Tuesday night and looked far more like the side that showed really positive signs before the World Cup. And Martin says he remains fully convinced that the club can continue to build for the long term as they look to achieve their long-term aim of returning to the Premier League under his leadership.
When asked if he was convinced the good times can return, the head coach responded: "I think so yeah. No, I am. If I wasn't I'd have left on the first of February, I think that's the bottom line.
"If I really wasn't convinced in what we were doing and the people we have, I just wouldn't be here. And I mean that. I love it here, we love it, our families love it here. We love the people we're working with.
"I really think we have an opportunity after January to get the next transfer window right. After discussions we're having behind the scenes, I think there's a massive desire for us to sort that process out.
"There has to be a positive to come from the January transfer window, and I think we'll turn that into a positive, I hope we will. I hope I'm the guy there when we're able to do that."
Despite the tough times of late, Martin stressed he remains passionate about the project at the club.
The Swans secured a historic double over rivals Cardiff City last season and remain in contention to secure a pair of victories over the Bluebirds again this term having already defeated those in blue and white 2-0 earlier on in the campaign.
And Martin spoke about the relevance of the picture he has on his office wall of the 4-0 success at Cardiff City Stadium just shy of a year ago.
“We have got a picture of the fans celebrating at Cardiff last year in our office," revealed the 37-year-old. "It’s not there for no reason.
"It’s there so we can look at before every game and understand what it means to everyone, because the emotion on people’s faces – the smiles, there are people crying, there are people who look fiercely angry, although I am pretty sure they are not after beating Cardiff away 4-0.
“The emotion it brings in people… You are given a club early on. You follow your parents to the football and what that brings is just incredible.
“To be sitting in this chair, I understand the privilege that I have to carry that. Of course sometimes you feel it. you go away from home, get beaten and you see the crowd who have travelled.
"My family were in the crowd on Tuesday night and heard a few people moaning about me. I said you just have to accept it because these people really care about their club.
“I have said it before and I will say it again, we really care as well. We wouldn’t be here if we didn’t.
“I hope at some point we give people a team to be proud of and a team they enjoy watching. I think we have given them loads of days like that – not enough this season, definitely not enough during this moment.
“But for me personally, you have to accept that [criticism]. It’s part of this job and you have to accept the honour and the privilege you get to carry the weight of all of that.”
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The Swans will welcome back Ollie Cooper to their squad for the clash with Bristol City this weekend, although Joe Allen won't return until the south Wales derby against Cardiff City on April 1 while Joel Latibeaudiere and Jay Fulton are suspended for the visit of the Robins.
"Ollie Cooper's back which is great news. I think that'll be it," said Martin. "Joe will be back after the international break which will be nice, he's making good progress."
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