Russell Martin was grateful for small mercies after Swansea City succumbed to defeat again – making them the team with the worst current form in the Championship. The Swans lost 3-1 at home to Middlesbrough to make it four defeats and a draw in their last five games – a poorer return than any of the clubs either below or above them. The gap between Martin’s side and the bottom three remains at 11 points, though, after Blackpool, Huddersfield and Wigan all lost.

Cardiff City manager Sabri Lamouchi insists he wants to stay at Cardiff City – but only after he has steered the club to safety in the Championship. The Bluebirds boss has a deal that runs to the end of the campaign after becoming the third manager of a chaotic season. The Lamouchi effect took a while to work, but if Cardiff can win at Preston North End on Saturday, then it would be their fourth in five matches.

Russell Martin insists he has been “energised” by another troubled Swansea City defeat that ended with a red card for the head coach. Despite being sent off following a stoppage time bust up with Luton Town – and a fifth defeat in seven games – Martin believes there are signs of fight that can stop the Swans’ freefall. A 1-0 loss to the Hatters leaves Swansea in 17th place – 11 points above the relegation zone with 11 matches of an imploding season remaining.

Sabri Lamouchi reckons Cardiff City need 15 more points before his players can hit the beach rather than land in League One. The Bluebirds manager has told his squad they can relax and enjoy themselves if they gather another five victories, which he feels will be enough to stave off the threat of relegation. But five victories from 12 remaining games – starting with Saturday’s home 12.30pm clash against Bristol City – is a tall order when you’re a side that took 21 matches to win your last five.

Russell Martin has admitted that “anxiety and fear” are undermining Swansea City’s season as the club continue to struggle. The Swansea head coach admitted his team’s 1-1 draw at home to lowly Rotherham represented a new low point in terms of performance. But Martin insisted his players would dig in and redouble their efforts to stem a season that is in danger of imploding into a relegation battle after just one win in seven games and only three wins in their last 18.

Cardiff City manager Sabri Lamouchi insists there’s no rest for the wicked – or those still threatened by the terror of relegation. The Bluebirds boss may have earned back-to-back victories to ease worries of the drop from the Championship, but he has reminded his players they have to keep winning – starting on Saturday, away at Norwich City. Cardiff are one place and four points above the relegation zone, but Huddersfield – immediately beneath them – also won their last match and have a game in hand.

Swansea City head coach Russell Martin has admitted his team is playing with anxiety after they slumped to another defeat. The Swans lost for the fourth time in their last five games as they crashed to a 3-1 home defeat to Stoke City, having led 1-0 early on. It leaves them still in 12th place in the Championship, 11 points clear of the relegation zone, but Huddersfield, in 22nd place, has a game in hand.

Russell Martin has asked Swansea City fans for patience as he strives to bring more consistency to a team now treading water in the Championship. The club’s most recent defeat – a 1-0 loss away at Blackburn Rovers – means it’s just one win in five for the Swans, who have dropped down to 12 th place in the Championship. They are seven points adrift of the play-offs and 11 above the relegation zone and they have won just three times in 16 league matches.

Swansea City head coach Russell Martin admitted he was a relieved man after his side avoided a slip-up against 10-man bottom club Blackpool to eke out a 2-1 win. A man down for over half an hour after the dismissal of Arsenal loanee Charlie Patino, the Tangerines cancelled out Matty Sorinola’s opener through a Sonny Carey goal in the 70th minute. But Sorinola’s cross was turned into his own goal by Blackpool defender Callum Connolly three minutes later to give the Swans their first win in four league games.

Swansea City manager Russell Martin, admitted that his team must put an end to the “silly moments” that have cost them after their 3-0 defeat against Sheffield United. Martin acknowledged the superiority of the home team, saying, “They have real quality to punish you with moments like that. “We’re playing against a team who manage the game better than anyone in the league.” The Swans’ defence was lacking in Yorkshire, and Martin noted that Sheffield United were better in the game’s “non-negotiables.”

Russell Martin has dismissed any notion of leaving Swansea City – despite a disastrous transfer window. The head coach admitted he had “never felt as low” last week during which he suggested the responsibility for the club failing to bring in a single new player in January – but letting six leave – lay with the American owners and not those working in Swansea. Martin discussed the club’s recruitment failings with their owners this week but says: “Ultimately, I think it’ll turn out to be a positive for the club.

Russell Martin may well be sacked by Swansea City’s owners– or decide to quit the club – according to their former Wales striker Ian Walsh. The Swans crashed to a 4-3 defeat at home to Birmingham City on Saturday, which followed a disastrously lopsided transfer window, prompting Walsh to launch a blistering attack on owners Jason Levien and Steve Kaplan. Head coach Martin admitted he had “never felt as low” after the end of a week in which he had suggested the responsibility for the club failing to bring in a single new player in January – but letting six leave – lay with the American owners and not those working in Swansea.