Russell Martin | We lacked energy and a spark

Russell Martin admitted his Swansea City side had lacked energy and a creative spark in their goalless draw against Birmingham City.

The Swans racked up a 15th clean sheet in all competitions against the Blues, and did have chances with Hannes Wolf and Joel Piroe seeing the clearest openings.

However, after a fast start, the Swans were unable to maintain those levels and Birmingham were guilty of wasting a trio of gilt-edged chances through Juninho Bacuna, Tahith Chong and Maxime Colin.

That left the Swans to pick up a point to take into the international break, with Martin feeling it was the sort of contest his side may have lost earlier in the campaign, but the head coach acknowledging his side had been lacking in zip at the end of a week including long trips to Blackpool and Peterborough.

"I didn't enjoy the game, although we started okay and Hannes [Wolf] should score after a few minutes," he said.

“We did look a threat down the left-hand side and played some nice stuff, but we lacked a bit of zip and energy.

“The players gave it everything they've got, and I think there was a time we would have lost that game, but we dug in and defended with our lives towards the end.

"The fact is we've had 21 hours on the bus this week. We got back from Peterborough at 3am on Thursday, having had a really long trip to Blackpool the previous weekend and having played on two difficult pitches.

“They also played a day before us in midweek. These are not excuses, they are facts, and I'm pretty sure that explains today.

"We tried to guard against it, we did everything we can. But it never got going and we never sparked.

“We didn't give the supporters enough to work off. But we kept a clean sheet, and on the whole, the performance levels they've shown since then Sheffield United], the points we've gained, I’ve been pleased with.

"It also shows the importance of having depth next season. We haven't got enough. It's something we need to address for next season.

"I love the group of players we've got but we need a few specialists in certain areas.”