Russell Martin | We stood up in adversity and the fans helped us home

Swansea City head coach Russell Martin praised the character his side showed in adversity and the way the home crowd roared them on to just a second-ever league double over Bristol City at the Swansea.com Stadium.

On the back of a challenging week following the 3-0 defeat at Stoke in midweek, the Swans had then found themselves trailing 1-0 at the break to Andreas Weimann’s breakaway goal.

But the hosts produced a second-half display of real energy and intensity, with Michael Obafemi, Cyrus Christie and Joel Piroe getting on the scoresheet as the Swans beat the Robins home and away for the first time since 1958.

And Martin was proud of how his side had responded in a tough situation.

“I am really proud of the players,” he said.

“This was a game where I never expected it to be any less than real hard work.

“We started the game really well and then there were a few sloppy moments and we got a bit hesitant.

“There was probably a little bit of a lack of confidence that crept in after Tuesday and there were a few scary moments. I think every good moment they had, we gave to them and they have a dangerous front three.

“We conceded from a mistake, we lost the ball 70 yards from our goal and it shouldn’t end up as it did.

“We were in a tough position, but we spoke about showing real courage and we did that in the second half and I am proud of them after what has been a long, tough week personally and professionally.”

Martin had been in attendance at Wales’ Six Nations victory over Scotland at the Principality Stadium on Saturday, and he saw parallels between how his own side had battled to victory in front of a partisan crowd.

“We have an unwavering belief and trust in the process of what we are trying to do, we understand where we are in that process,” added Martin.

“I went to a game yesterday where there was a team that really trusted the process of what they are doing, and stuck at it after a difficult period at the start, with the crowd helping them incredibly well.

“That was at the Wales rugby match yesterday, and the second half here reminded me of that from Saturday.

“The crowd were massive again in playing their part, they fed off the energy of the team, and the team fed off their energy.

“It just makes such a huge difference. I can remember when I used to come here as a player to take on Swansea and you always felt it would be a tough place to play with the atmosphere.

“That’s certainly been the case these last two games with the way the fans have connected with the team, it has been massive.

“It’s a really big win, and I am proud of the players and I felt we deserved to win.”