Blues Test Is As Tough As They Come, Says Martinez

The visit of Birmingham City is the biggest test of the season so far, according to Swans boss Roberto Martinez.

The Spaniard believes nothing other than a near perfect performance will be good enough to take anything from the game.

And El Gaffer insists it's not only the Birmingham striker's the Swans need to worry about.

He told the Evening Post:

'Birmingham have got the strongest squad in the division without a doubt.'

'They are a Premier League side playing in the Championship this season and, while that doesn't guarantee you anything, it really helps.'

'People talk about their strikers, but they are very strong in every department.'

'They do not concede many goals and they can score from all over the pitch out of nothing.'

'They do not have a weakness and, if you could choose, you'd only want to play them once a season rather than twice.'

'But at the same time we know that we're going to have to be at the very top of our game if we want to compete.'

But Martinez believes the 'Friday factor' could be key in getting a result.

'There is something special about Friday night football in Swansea.'

'As a player I used to go to the Vetch for a Friday game thinking we were already 1-0 up, and we seem to get a similar atmosphere at the Liberty now.'

'Maybe the fans are a bit more up for it on a Friday, I don't know, but it certainly gives us great belief.'

Click here to join in the debate on the club forum.