I, like many Swans fans ahead of Tuesday night's game against Preston,was a little fearful for the way we would react. In fact, most fans would have forgiven the team had they indeed taken their eye of the ball and not turned in a performance expected of them. However, as is the norm, Martinez and the Swans didn't make the same mistake twice (a la Cardiff Cup match and then Reading), and Preston were duly dispatched. In spectacular fashion.
The 4-1 thumping was of course tempered by the news that we will miss Darren Pratley for up to 10 weeks. This situation as we all know, is nothing new. Back in November, things looked desperately bleak when Ferrie Bodde was ruled out for the season, and here we are once more with another leading player out for a long time. The solution for most people will be to continue with the three man midfield, albeit with Gomez, Britton and Allen, and I'd be surprised if Martinez thought differently.
It has to be remarked that while greatly dismayed at the news of Pratley's injury, it's fantastic to feel like we can still get both results and performances without two of our first choice centre midfielders. Gone are the days when we relied on one man to win games.
Because, the truth is, the team wins us games now. Scotland is there for his goals. Bodde and Allen for their passing. Pratley and Britton for their tireless running. Rangel and painter for their ability to attack and defend and I won't bore you with the rest. It seems we can take any one of these out and replace them, and be ok.
Much was made of Owain Tudur-Jones' poor form when he came into the side, but not once did we lose. Most people would have been hiding behind the sofa at the prospect of Alan Tate playing left-back or the majority of the match in goal, but once more, we haven't lost in either of those situations.
Butler, Tate, Tudur Jones, Scotland, Monk and De Vries have all come in for staunch criticism at times, but here they are, contributing greatly to a team just 9 places off the Premiership.
Never has the saying "The whole is greater than the sum of the parts" been more apt. Gone are the days of pre-empted celbrations from the likes of McLeod, Trundle and Robinson. It's amazing what can be achieved when it doesn't matter who's getting the credit. Because at some point or another this season, each player has been taking the plaudits.
That is what Martinez will have wanted at the start of the season, and it's what Martinez will continue to instill into them as we draw a) closer to the play-offs and b) towards the end of the season.
Full steam ahead!
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