Russell Martin | Anything can happen in this division, we must stay focused

Head coach Russell Martin insists no-one at Swansea City should be paying any attention to the league table when it comes to this afternoon’s Championship clash with Wigan Athletic (3pm).

Despite defeat to Preston in midweek the Swans entered the weekend sitting seventh in the Championship table, while the visitors sit 22nd having lost their last five games in succession.

But Martin knows all-too well how teams with spirit and togetherness can respond to difficult moments, having seen his own side come through a frustrating start to the campaign to an embark on a run that made them one of the form teams in the division.

Given Wigan’s success in securing the League One title last term, the Swans boss has no doubt that Leam Richardson’s side will be in determined mood and that the hosts will need to be at their best if they want to make it five victories in a row on home turf.

“I don’t think it matters who you play in this division. Obviously, they’re going through a tough period. I think during tough periods though people stand up to it together and I'm sure they will,” said Martin of a Wigan side who have taken 13 of their 19 points this season on their travels.

“They achieved something really brilliant last season. When you have done something like that as a group together, it counts for a lot. They’ll be desperate to come here and get a result.  

“We need to make sure that we’re fully aware of the context of their situation, but also play our own game. We’ve been in really good form at home and good form in general in terms of performance.  

“Tuesday night was a small bump in the road with the disappointment at Preston. That can happen in the Championship.

The one thing the players here have done brilliantly though is react really well to disappointment, so we need to do the same again.  

“The game here is very different and we’re both desperate for a result, they’ll come here fighting I'm sure of that. 

“As long as we can build on what we did in the second half on Tuesday, I'll be more than happy."