Russell Martin | We are the underdogs, it's a great opportunity for us

Russell Martin wants Swansea City to show their resilience and build on their second-half showing at Luton when they host Middlesbrough on Saturday.

The Swans host a Boro side who are currently the form team in the second tier, with their outstanding run of results under Michael Carrick having catapulted them from 21st to third in the standings.

The Teessiders are still in with a shot at an automatic promotion spot, and Martin’s side will start as underdogs in their own back yard this weekend.

But the Swans boss feels a second-half performance at Luton that could, and perhaps should, have ended with the visitors taking at least a point from Kenilworth Road can serve as a turning point.

“What goes on between your ears is the majority of the game at this level, because technically there is not much between players,” said Martin.

“The players who succeed are the players who have the most resilience,  the players who make a mistake and can forget about it and play on without it affecting them, the players who fail and are willing to come back and be the same again.

“We were really energised by the second half at Luton, and the way we have reflected on it and spoken about it as a team, as individuals and as units.

“We took a lot from that, it was a step in the right direction in terms of the intensity, energy and bravery we showed.

“So, we need to stay brave, stay positive, and continue to believe in the work we put in. If we do that we will be fine.

“Sometimes you need a spark or a result that no-one expects.

“I don’t think many expect us to get a result this weekend, so this is a great test for us and a great game to do it in.”