MX23RW : Wednesday, December 18 19:10:46| >> :600:398777:398777:

Russell Martin keen to recruit players 'at top end of pitch' after stalemate

Russell Martin keen to recruit players 'at top end of pitch' after stalemate
© Reuters
Blades boss Slavisa Jokanovic sensed a lack of energy about his team in the goalless draw with Swansea.

Russell Martin praised his Swansea side but admitted he would like to add to his attacking options after a goalless Sky Bet Championship draw with Sheffield United.

The Welsh team had 62 per cent possession at the Swansea.com Stadium but had just one shot on target through striker Jamal Lowe.

Swansea head coach Martin is poised to add Manchester United defender Ethan Laird on a season-long loan deal, but he wants further signings.

He said: "I think there were a lot of positives to take. The players played the way we want and we had control.

"We lacked the fitness to do it for 90 minutes and didn't have as much as we would have liked in the final third, but the players are doing brilliantly. We played a top team full of Premier League experience who will be there or thereabouts at the end of the season.

"We are asking the players to play in a different way. It's been a disjoined pre-season and not ideal, but games help. I think we need to add people to help us whether it's at the top end of the pitch or the bottom.

"I feel for the guys who work up top. We haven't had time to work with them.

"We've had less than two weeks with this team and the focus at the moment is on the guys at the back and in the middle. We still had good moments tonight."

Both teams sealed their first points of the Championship season in a game of few clear-cut chances.

Sheffield United, who were relegated from the Premier League last season, were disappointing and they also lacked an attacking threat despite boasting a host of talented strikers in their side.

"Ethan was upstairs watching so if he's driven all the way down to Swansea, I hope that he's ready to come in," said Martin.

"He needs a medical and he needs to sit down with us and discuss how it's going to work. But he's here and I look forward to seeing him tomorrow morning.

"Then we'll have a chat and see where it goes from there, but hopefully that'll be one that gets done."

David McGoldrick missed United's best chances and a draw was a fair result. There were just three shots on target combined all game.

Sheffield United manager Slavisa Jokanovic said: "The result can be seen as a positive. If we can't score a goal, the best thing we can do is get one point.

"Of course, we can play better than we are right now. We can be more dangerous and create more chances. I'm sure we can improve for the next game. I feel a little bit of a lack of energy in the team."

ID:459451:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect3368:
Written by
P A

Click here for more stories about Russell Martin

Click here for more stories about Sheffield United

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
MK Dons manager Russell Martin reacts on July 31, 2021
Read Next:
Saturday's Championship predictions including Swansea City vs. Sheffield United
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd21145230111945
2Leeds UnitedLeeds21126337152242
3Burnley2111822681841
4Sunderland21117332171540
5Blackburn RoversBlackburn2011452517837
6Middlesbrough21104735251034
7Watford2010462926334
8West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom2171132416832
9Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds218582630-429
10Swansea CitySwansea217682322127
11Bristol City216962626027
12Norwich CityNorwich216873632426
13Millwall206772018225
14Derby CountyDerby216692626024
15Coventry CityCoventry216692730-324
16Preston North EndPreston2141162127-623
17Stoke CityStoke215792328-522
18Queens Park RangersQPR2141072127-622
19Luton TownLuton2164112337-1422
20Oxford UnitedOxford Utd2046102133-1218
21Cardiff CityCardiff2046101932-1318
22Portsmouth193882134-1317
23Plymouth ArgylePlymouth2045111942-2317
24Hull City2137111930-1116


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!