Russell Martin | We have shown we are capable of being in the mix

Head coach Russell Martin believes Swansea City have shown they are capable of being in the shake-up for a play-off spot, and has challenged his players to back up their fine performances against Watford and Burnley.

The Swans hosted two of the Championship’s promotion favourites over the New Year weekend and came away with a win and a defeat.

They were emphatic 4-0 winners over Watford, while they narrowly lost 2-1 to leaders Burnley, who have lost just two league games all season.

The manner of the two showings were a real positive to take into the new calendar year, particularly on the back of a 2022 where the Swans recorded the fifth-best points tally in the second tier over the 12 months.

Not the Swans boss, who turned 37 on Wednesday, wants to keep building and improving.

“If there is anything we can take from the last two games, it is that we have a big opportunity to have an impact at the upper end of this league,” said Martin.

“I really believe that, and I feel we have shown that with how we have played in the last two games. We can really compete and we can really cause problems of our own.

“I think we can get into the play-offs, but then there are going to be 16 other teams and managers all thinking the same thing.

“But I think we have every right to think that we can be a team that can go and effect that.

“If we can consistently play how we have in these last two games, and we have the same mentality, application and aggression then I think we will have a chance because I love what the players have given us.”