Russell Martin frustrated after Derby draw

Russell Martin was left frustrated that Swansea City only left Pride Park with a point to show for their efforts.

The Swans played out a fourth draw in their last six league games as they played out a goalless draw against Derby County.

It was a familiar tale for the visitors, who once again displayed great control and dominance – of territory and possession – but were unable to find the killer blow that would have yielded a three-point haul and just a second away win against the Rams in 40 years.

Jake Bidwell, Matt Grimes, Jamie Paterson and Liam Cullen were among those unable to convert good chances, while Ben Hamer – who was rarely tested – denied Tom Lawrence to ensure a sixth clean sheet of the season for the visitors.

But head coach Martin knew his side should have been leaving the East Midlands with a full haul of points to take into the international break.

“I am really frustrated and I am frustrated for the guys,” he said.

“We were so dominant and we deserved to win, we had 10 shots inside their box and that needs to come to more.

“We are very close to being a very, very good team.

“We played a Derby side who had a very good result during the week, we did not allow them to play at all. We played with real quality, real intensity and real control.

“We limited them to very little and we just need to make more of our dominance and our control, and of the territory we had.

“We have not come in having had 76 per cent possession and having just passed it around relentlessly at the back.

“We have been inside their territory, inside their area and the last 20 minutes was attack against defence.

“I am sure we will have it thrown at us that it is all possession and no threat, but we created good chances and someone just has to put the ball in the net.

“I am happy to see the players be able to put that sort of performance on the pitch after just eight weeks here, just as we did against Hull and Millwall and we now have the best clean sheet record in the league, which is the other side of having that control.

“Chances fell to a lot of people today and we did not take them.

“So I am frustrated for the players and I think they see it the same way.”

The Swans boss also paid tribute to the support of the travelling Jacks who made themselves heard as they cheered on his side.

It was the third away game in just 10 days following games at Brighton and Fulham, and Martin has been delighted with how supporters have travelled in numbers given the long journeys they face.

"This is an incredible football club, and you can just see that by the support we have," he added."

"Look at the numbers we had with us here today, look at how many fans were there at Fulham on Wednesday.

"They have been unbelievable, and I think they are starting to feel really connected with the team and how we are trying to play.

"There has been a lot happening, there has been a lot of change and I am sure we are close to being really good.

"I cannot wait for us to put it all together for the supporters because I am proud of the players and I feel we are going in the right direction.

"It's a long-term project but I hope at the end of it we will be successful because I want to pay the support we have received."