Steven Benda produced yet another impressive display as Swansea City earned themselves a point against Bristol City.
The German pulled off a sensational save to deny Antoine Semenyo early on at Ashton Gate before keeping out Nahki Wells' strike with his legs soon after. Having been helpless with Tommy Conway's opener, Benda continued to command his box well while he was particularly positive with the ball at his feet.
He ended the contest against Nigel Pearson's side with a pass success rate of just under 90 per cent. Benda was more than willing to go direct when needed, although he was encouragingly comfortable when playing riskier passes from his own box.
It typified what has been a significant improvement from the 24-year-old who has now started 10 successive Championship matches since replacing Andy Fisher for the win over Queens Park Rangers in early September.
"Steven Benda, I love what he's done and how far he's come and what he's done since he's come back into the team," said Russell Martin in his post-match press conference.
And when asked about the goalkeeper's two first-half saves, Martin responded: "Massive. The first one was incredible. Not only what he did without the ball today in terms of those saves, he wasn't very busy in the second half, but what he did with the ball in the second half was outstanding.
"He's become really important and I'm just really proud of him and pleased for him. He has a brilliant mentality. He's getting better with every game and hopefully he can continue."
Swansea were unable to reach their peak levels of intensity for long periods against the Robins, although Martin's five second-half substitutions played a key role in ensuring the visitors left with a point thanks to Olivier Ntcham's equaliser.
Indeed, the Swans have now claimed 11 points from losing positions this season, the highest total of any side in the Championship. But with four games still left to play before the World Cup break, Martin admits he will need to keep his side fresh having named the same starting 11 across the last three fixtures.
Joel Piroe returns from suspension for Tuesday's trip to Preston while Ryan Manning and Jamie Paterson got some valuable minutes in the second-half at Bristol City. Ntcham - who equalled his goal scoring tally for the entirety of last term with his effort at Ashton Gate - put his hand up for a place in the starting line-up at Deepdale following a magnificent showing off the bench in Bristol.
"Everyone's going to be important, a three-game week now and then the following week, it's relentless," said Martin on the possibility of rotation. "We made five subs today, I'm sure there'll be a change or two for Tuesday.
"We'll have a look and see how everyone is. We'll take every game as it comes and see what we need and who fits best for us at that time. Hopefully they can continue to keep giving us what they've given us because they've been outstanding.
"We always talk about the importance of everyone and trying to be the team we want to be wherever we go, and we have three away games to keep trying to do that and everyone's going to be used I'm pretty sure."
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