Russell Martin | We want to produce a performance back in front of our supporters

Russell Martin wants Swansea City to build on the connection built between team and supporters last term by producing a performance to excite the Swansea.com Stadium crowd against Blackburn Rovers this afternoon (3pm).

Having picked up a point at Rotherham United on the opening weekend, courtesy of a fantastic debut strike from Harry Darling, the Swans return to SA1 to host a Rovers’ side who kicked off their own campaign with a 1-0 victory over QPR.

Swansea produced a nine-match unbeaten run towards the end of last season, and they lost just twice at home over the final three months of the season.

Martin and his players are keen to make home a difficult place for any side to come, and he hopes to see a performance that allows team and crowd to feed off each other.

“The fans play a huge role. I said when I first came, when I played here against this team under Brendan (Rodgers), it was such a tough place to come,” he said.

“There was such a feelgood factor, they were a club on the up, it was a team they felt really connected to. I hope we can get to that point.

“Last season the patience and understanding everyone showed, we’re so grateful.

“We’ve been embraced off the pitch, and it means a lot to everyone. It’s up to us to repay that now with more performances.

“It’s up to us to help generate that [atmosphere] and I'm pretty sure we have a supporter group that is really excited for the season, as excited as we are to see what the season can produce. I hope that together we can become a real force.”

With the opening game of the season out of the way, the Swans boss has noticed a greater freedom from his players during training; shorn of the nerves and anxiety that can surround the big kick-off.

And he is confident of seeing an improved display on the back of a largely positive showing at the AESSEAL New York Stadium.

“I am excited, we all are. We enjoy playing at home. Last season the players built a brilliant connection with the supporters in how they played and the backing they showed,” he added.

“It was really positive and we are looking forward to being back at home. We have got the first game out the way, there has been less anxiety in training because everyone wants to get that first game out of the way.

“That has seen a release of some of the tension you get as the season is about to start, and the players have trained really well.

“We want to get that first win early, it was nice to get a point on the board last week even if we were frustrated not to get all three.

“We have looked at the video on how we can improve and I think we will improve on that performance this weekend.

“The lads have been made aware of Blackburn’s strengths this week, they are a team in transition. They have changed the way they play from last season, they pose a real threat at the top end of the pitch.

“But it’s up to us to negate those problems by trying to be the team we want to be.”