Russell Martin | We got the reward for our aggression and energy

Russell Martin felt his Swansea City side got a deserved reward for their energy and aggression after beating Blackpool 1-0 to seal a first win of the season.

Olivier Ntcham scored the winner with just three minutes remaining at Bloomfield Road, the substitute surging forward to join Michael Obafemi’s counter and fire home.

That came after keeper Andy Fisher had saved a penalty from Jerry Yates early in the second half, following a first half where the Swans had been on top but had not taken their chances.

Head coach Martin hopes getting three points on the board, and recording a first win at Blackpool for 43 years, can be a platform for his side to build on.

“I have said to the lads that I so happy for them,” said the Swans boss.

“In the first half they showed so much aggression and a willingness to take risks with the ball, we had a hunger to win it back quickly.

“There was a lot more energy and intensity in our play, which I liked and that is something I want us to keep building on.

“We started the second half poorly and that was self-inflicted and we have to have fewer of those moments.

“I think there was some tension because we hadn’t scored and we probably felt we should have.

“They were more aggressive but we have to be able to deal with that.

“Fish saves the penalty, but then the crowd is energised and they had a 15-minute spell where they caused us a few too many problems.

“We lost a bit of control, that is going to happen at times away from home, but we were able to deal with it, the fans were great in getting behind us.

“We looked like the team more likely to win the game the longer it went on, we limited them and in the end we got our reward.

“So I am delighted with the win, delighted with the clean sheet. The players work so hard and I hope this will relieve a little bit of tension and enable us to kick on from here.”

Some 1,500 members of the Jack Army made the long journey to the Lancashire coast in stifling heat, and Martin added his thanks to the supporters for helping his side get over the line against the Seasiders.

“We spent seven hours getting here on the bus on Friday so we know just how far it is, and how hard it is with the heat and the traffic,” he added.

“So for them to turn out in their numbers as they always do, and bring the energy they did, it means a lot to be able to give them that result and hopefully we can have many more days like this.”