Russell Martin | They managed the game better than we did

Russell Martin felt his Swansea City side had been taught a lesson in game management by high-flying Sheffield United in their 3-0 defeat at Bramall Lane.

Goals from Sander Berge, Jack Robinson and Oli McBurnie gave the automatic promotion favourites victory and extended their long unbeaten run, as well as Swansea’s own miserable record at the south Yorkshire venue.

The frustration for the visitors came in that all three Blades goals came on the back of periods where they had been enjoying a good spell and asking questions of their hosts.

And head coach Martin pointed to how the hosts handled those periods and then clinically capitalised on Swansea errors as key not just in the outcome of the game, but indicative of why the home side seem destined for a Premier League return.

“We make a good start and then we concede a poor goal. The ball is in the air on the touchline with their player facing away from our goal. Somehow, we don’t deal with it, and they have a moment of quality with a player they spent a lot of money on,” said Martin.

“Up to that point we had started well, we had been brave with the ball and quietened the crowd. Maybe we could have had a bit more belief early on, but I felt we were playing our way into it nicely.

“Then that goal comes out of nowhere, and those moments are something we had spoken about all week.

“They are a team who manage the game better than anyone in the league, like they did in the closing stages where Ben Cabango had a big chance and Ollie Cooper had one of the best chances in the game.

“They slowed the game down, made it scrappy, and that comes with the experience they possess.

“It’s the opposite end of the scale for us, and I felt at 2-0 down we just lacked a bit of courage after conceding.

“We spoke at half-time about needing the willingness to show for the ball, to make contact with and accept contact from their players because they are physically one of the best teams in the league.

“We had a better spell where if we score it is game on. When we did not score in that moment it took the energy and momentum out of us and they managed it really well from that point.

“It’s difficult, it was a tough day for us and it was always going to be a tough game because you have to respect where they are in the league, the run of form they have been on. They are going to get promoted.

“I felt confident with how we started, but we concede a rubbish goal and then a free-kick comes back off the bar, we have a load of bodies in there and they score.

“That probably sums up where both teams are at in terms of that reaction. They are on the front foot and aggressive. We slip, make a mistake, and the ball goes in.

“Whichever and whatever way you play, whether you are direct or want to dominate with the ball, that part of the game is so important. We don’t do it well enough, and Sheffield United are brilliant at it.”