Russell Martin

Swansea City fans appear sharply divided over the prospect of Russell Martin making a shock return to the club.

Former Swansea City head coach Russell Martin knows he and his Soputhampton team are under intense pressure after fans tunred on them following their latest defeat. Martin – who quit the Swans 18 months ago and took Saints up into the Premier League – is under the cosh with his team rock bbottom and adrift after a 5-1 home defeat to Chelse.

Swansea City have been forced into a reunion with former head coach Russell Martin next month after the club drew Southampton in the third round of the FA Cup. It means a trip to St. Mary’s for the Swans, who will go up against the man who left them 18 months ago.

Luke Williams has urged his Swansea City team to toughen up when they leave the home comforts of their own stadium. The Swans currently sit 11th in the table and whilst most of the attention in Wales has focussed on rivals Cardiff City’s disastrous start to the season, the Swans’ progress has gone under the radar.

Former Swansea City head coach Russell Martin has claimed he is not feeling any pressure following criticism of Southampton’s performances so far this season. Saints have started with three Premier League losses, having endured something similar when Martin took over at the club last year.

Former Swansea City head coach Russell Martin has backed Nathan Wood to thrive in the Premier League after signing him for Southampton for a cut-price £3m. The England Under-21 international has signed a four-year deal at St Mary’s and is reunited with Martin, who he played under at the Swans.

Former Swansea City head coach Russell Martin expressed his gratitude and acknowledged he was not a “sexy appointment” after guiding Southampton to the Premier League with a precious 1-0 win over Leeds at Wembley. Adam Armstrong struck midway through the first half to haunt Leeds again with his 24th goal of the campaign and it proved enough to send Saints back to the top flight at the first time of asking.

Wales manager Rob Page rarely talks about club allegiances but there must be a fair chance he will be wearing white this weekend. Page often stresses the need for his players to be playing at the highest level, in the Premier League, in order for them to be accustomed to the quality required for international football.

Seven Welsh players have the opportunity to head towards the Premier League on Saturday – although not all of them will make it. The Championship promotion odds are certainly stacked against the Leeds United quartet of Ethan Ampadu, Dan James, Joe Rodon and Connor Roberts.

Cardiff City’s match-winning teenager Cian Ashford has been described as “the future of the club” by teammate Famara Diedhiou. The high praise came after Ashford scored a brilliant winner for the Bluebirds at the weekend as they beat Southampton, 2-1 at the Cardiff City Stadium.

Cian Ashford scored the kind of goal his Cardiff City manager Erol Bulut reckons the teenager will never forget. “It’s a moment he’ll remember for the rest of his life,” said Bulut after Ashford’s 96th minute winner, on his first start, gave the Bluebirds a dramatic 2-1 win against play-off chasing Southampton on Saturday. The 19-year-old had only made six substitute appearances this season – four of them in cup competitions – before Saturday’s full Championship debut.

Cardiff City manager Erol Bulut insists Russell Martin’s mastery over the Bluebirds has no significance as it occurred before the Turkish boss arrived in the capital. When Cardiff host promotion-chasing Southampton on Saturday, it will be an opportunity for Saints manager Martin to target his sixth consecutive win against the men in blue.