Martinez targets Premier League
Saturday’s breathless 2-0 victory over Pompey on Saturday has helped raise the profile of a club that has set its sights on securing a place at football’s top table within five years.
Playing football that is easy on the eye, they revelled on the big stage with goals from Nathan Dyer and Jason Scotland delivering the upset.
And boss Martinez is convinced Swansea possess the right ethos to realise their Premier League dream.
“It’s unfair to push the players to certain aims, especially in the league because we’ve had to go through many fights in football terms,” he said.
“We want to get into the Premiership but we must be realistic given our financial power. It could take two, three, four or five years.
“But what we have is a group of players who are in tune. They are all hungry for success and want to reach the Premiership.
“To be able to dominate Portsmouth is a huge compliment. Look at where we were seven or eight years ago — close to bankruptcy.
“It looked like we were going to disappear so this is a special occasion. The players have put Swansea on the map and they deserve every bit of recognition they get.”
Dyer opened the scoring in the 27th minute – a cruel twist for Pompey fans given the 21-year-old winger’s status as a loan signing from south-coast rivals Southampton.
His clinical finish from Scotland’s pass was the highlight of the afternoon and Swansea were somewhat fortuitous to be awarded a penalty in first-half stoppage time.
Nadir Belhadj’s challenge on Jordi Gomez was outside the box but referee Andre Marriner pointed to the spot and the bull-like Scotland — a menace throughout — obliged.
Pompey laid siege in the second half but the lightning reflexes of keeper Dimitrios Konstantopoulos kept them at bay, denying Peter Crouch alone on three occasions.
Pompey’s pride may have been dented with the early demise of their FA Cup defence but Tony Adams was able to take consolation from clearing the decks for Premier League survival.
Just three points above the relegation zone, former England skipper Adams has rolled his sleeves up for the challenge ahead.
“We’ve got to put this to bed as quickly as possible and try to get some points on Tuesday night when we play Aston Villa,” he said.
“Getting points is the target — we’ve got a four-month battle coming up. We’ll have to scrap every game. I’m certainly going to scrap – I won’t be running away.”
PORTSMOUTH: James, Cranie, Campbell, Distin, Belhadj, Nugent (Kanu 46), Hughes (Kaboul 84), Davis, Armand Traore (Hreidarsson 46), Pennant, Crouch.
SWANSEA: Konstantopoulos, Rangel, Williams, Monk, Tate, Britton, Pratley, Allen (Pintado 61), Gomez, Scotland, Dyer (Gower 79).
Referee: Andre Marriner (W Midlands).
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