By Gareth James
Russell Martin has admitted his frustration with penalty decisions should not deflect responsibility for dropped points at home by Swansea City.
The Swans head coach saw his team held to a 1-1 draw against Blackpool when they conceded late on, having had two strong appeals for spot kicks turned down by referee Keith Stroud.
The draw was the first time Martin’s side have dropped points at home since mid-September and leaves the club back in 12th place in the Championship, five points adrift of the play-off places.
Swansea – who went ahead through Joel Piroe, but conceded a goal to Keshi Anderson in the 86th minute – now travel to Barnsley on Wednesday.
“We gave Joel the time and space to do what he did, but it felt a little flat after that,” said Martin.
“We should have had two penalties which would have changed the game, but I don’t want to blame the referee for drawing the game. We conceded a really poor goal, and that’s not on him, that’s on us.
“It was really frustrating second half, it feels like we have lost even though we haven’t.
Has there been a better signing in the Championship this season than Joel Piroe?
After scoring again in Swansea City’s 1-1 draw with Blackpool yesterday, it is now 11 goals in 18 games in all competitions this term for the Dutchman.
! #CCP | #Swans pic.twitter.com/LaxtITSJxx
— The Championship Chat Podcast (@Champchatpod24) November 21, 2021
“But we have to be better, the game swung completely the other way in the second half and that should not happen.
“They had far too much ball and we did not have enough energy and intensity, and as a coaching group I think we have to take responsibility for that and maybe we worked the guys too hard this last couple of weeks.
“It was the last chance we had to put some work into them and we might have gone too far as we lacked energy today.
“But we have a point, we are unbeaten in a long time at home and we have a chance to put things right on Wednesday.”
Blackpool head coach Neil Critchley said: “You know what you are going to face when you come to Swansea. They play a unique brand of football.
“They are the best footballing team in the division and they have an outstanding home record.
Is it only incompetence again ? Swansea City file video evidence to EFL #swans #swans #seasiders #swanseacity #blackpool #keithstroud https://t.co/G8ImRC68uc
— FansNetwork (@fansnetwork) November 21, 2021
“We decided to change our system and play differently today. I think we gave them problems without the ball in the first half.
“They didn’t get really near our goal – we didn’t get near their goal either. It was an outstanding strike that was the difference at half-time.
“Second half, we showed real courage to take the game to Swansea and at times we were on top with the ball, we were making them do what they don’t want to do which is run and defend without the ball.
“We weren’t getting to the goal as much as I would have wanted but you know at 1-0, there’s always a chance of a set-piece or a moment of quality.”