These are your Swansea City headlines on Wednesday, February 15.
Martin: Tonight is big
Russell Martin says tonight's game is massive and urged his players to show some character against Blackpool after his side crumbled against Sheffield United.
Swansea started well at Bramall Lane but were eventually blown away 3-0 by the hosts, with Martin ruing "silly moments" in his post-match interview and imploring his players to look at the attitude shown by their opposition.
With the play-offs slipping from their grasp, tonight's match could be a turning point after a poor run of results.
READ MORE: Key Swansea City concern highlighted as coach gives injury updates ahead of Blackpool test
“It’s a big game for us,” said the Swansea head coach. “Blackpool are fighting for their lives, they picked up a point at the weekend.
“We are at home, we need to bounce back. Any game after two defeats is a big game, whatever situation you are in. It probably feels bigger than maybe it is because of everything that has gone on over the last couple of weeks.
“We now need to show character and more courage than we did after conceding at Sheffield United on the weekend.
“We also have to cut out the silly moments because at the moment teams are not having to work hard enough to score goals against us. We have an extremely young squad, and that is where we are at. We have to keep building, keep trying to show courage and it’s a moment for us to really stand up and show what we are about.
“It’s a big month in terms of what the season will end up looking like, so we have to shake off the disappointment we have because we have an opportunity to build some momentum and put some points on the board ahead of the last 10 games.
“We either embrace that challenge and get excited about it or the season will meander into something we do not want.
“We have to make sure we stay in the hunt and keep trying to improve and build.”
Oba goal sparks wild scenes
Swansea striker Michael Obafemi opened his Burnley account in dramatic circumstances on Tuesday night, scoring an equaliser for the Clarets deep in injury time against Watford.
Joao Pedro gave the visitors the lead at Turf Moor but Obafemi swept home from a corner after the clock had turned red to give Vincent Kompany's men a share of the spoils. It prompted wild scenes of celebration and keeps them on track for automatic promotion at the top of the Championship table.
Kompany said: "They're the best goals; ugly, scruffy goals that you get on the end of. I've never seen a striker build a great career by just putting the ball in the top corner. These types of goals are their bread and butter.
"It's good for him. He's a player that we're looking to give the time to settle in, give him the time to get back to his maximum fitness, he's done extremely well since he's come in."
Obafemi himself says he needs competition to make himself better and that moving on loan from Swansea mid-season had been hard.
"I’m settling in well, the boys are welcoming, obviously Nathan [Tella] - you saw our celebration earlier," he said. "That was a top celebration actually! I already feel part of the family. I’m enjoying myself; I’m loving every minute and I just can’t wait to make more memories in the shirt.
"Moving clubs during the season was a tough transition after not playing for a couple of months. I’ve started to regain my fitness and trying to earn a place in the team.
"That’s what football’s about - competition. If you didn’t have competition, it would be too easy for you. I feel competition is what I need to make myself play better and that’s the main thing."
Ogbeta's 'tough' time
Nathanael Ogbeta says he's had a "tough" time over the past year after making his first league start for Peterborough United. The defender joined Posh on loan for the remainder of the season and has made four appearances in total for the League One side.
He started against Fleetwood on Tuesday night and played well despite being at fault for the winning goal. Afterwards he spoke to the local press about getting the opportunity to play games.
“I’m grateful to the gaffer for giving me the opportunity," he said. "It’s been tough, I haven’t started a league game in over a year now and that’s been a real challenge but to get the belief from the manager to go out and play my game and to express myself, I’m so grateful.
“I just need to keep pushing, we’ve got lots of great lads n this team and hopefully going forward we can keep winning games and have a really strong end to the season.”
Early team news
Swansea are hoping to be boosted by the return of Joel Latibeaudiere for the visit of the Lancashire outfit. The defender missed Saturday's 3-0 loss to Sheffield United with a calf injury but has trained ahead of tonight's match.
Liam Walsh is also set to be included in the matchday squad once again having played 45 minutes and scored for the club's Under-21s against Cardiff City on Monday night.
As for the visitors, they will be without striker Gary Madine who is suspended. Tom Trybull, Marvin Ekpiteta, Charlie Goode, Liam Bridcutt, Kevin Stewart, Lewis Fiorini, Keshi Anderson, Shayne Lavery and Jake Beesley will all miss out through injury although Curtis Nelson could return from a groin strain.
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