Russell Martin expecting hard-fought Loftus Road encounter

Russell Martin is expecting a tight game and good atmosphere when Swansea City travel to Loftus Road to face Queens Park Rangers later today.

The Swans go in search of back-to-back away wins for the first time since October, while R’s manager Neil Critchley is looking for his first home win since taking charge of the west London outfit on December 11 following the departure of Mick Beale to Rangers.

Critchley is a manager Martin and his staff know well having met on a number of occasions during his two-year spell in charge of Blackpool.

“QPR have had an enforced change in terms of the manager leaving,” he said.

“It's a manager that knows us very well. We played against them in League One when he was at Blackpool.

“He'll know us fairly well and we'll know him well. They have a really good squad, especially at the top end of the pitch.

“We're taking a lot of supporters and it's a good ground to generate a good atmosphere in. We're looking forward to it.”

Saturday will mark Martin’s second trip to Loftus Road as a manager, but he has fond memories of trips there as a player.

“I enjoyed playing [at Loftus Road],” he added.

“Especially playing full-back, you take two steps for a throw-in and the fans will give you a slap on the back!

“I think they'll be desperate to get something going. I think we've only lost two out of the last eight away games, it's a pretty good record as far as away records go.”