Martinez Remains Upbeat About Play-Off Chances

Roberto Martinez still believes that his side can finish in the play-off places this season.

A win on Sunday against our arch rivals Cardiff City would have given us a big boost and a lot of momentum going into the final 5 games, but as it stands, a play-off place is a massive ask.

Swansea City are currently in 8th place, 3 points behind Preston in 7th, 7 behind Burnley in 6th and 8 points adrift of Cardiff, who beat Derby 4-1 last night.

Martinez told the Evening Post that maximum points in the last 5 games would be enough to see them finish in the top 6:

'Many people said that if we'd won at Cardiff, we'd have been right in there,'

'I don't agree with that because it is the next five games which will dictate where we finish up.

'If we get 15 points we'll be in the play-offs. If we get to around 72 with goal difference, that will give us a chance.

'It's going to be hard and I know there's no margin for error but, if we all get together as a club, I think we can do it.'

'You look at the fixtures and teams like Burnley, Preston, Bristol City and Cardiff are playing against each other,'

'If you look at the five games we have left, every one is tricky for different reasons.

'But we know we can beat anyone if we reach our top standards and that's what we need to focus on.'

Norwich City provide a tricky task for the Swans at the Liberty Stadium on Saturday afternoon. They're fighting against the drop and beat Cardiff 2-0 recently.

Martinez added that he won't be taking the pressure off the players:

'It's too early to be thinking about next season,'

'I could take the pressure off the players and say we have got no chance this year, but I'm not going to do that.

'As a club we should be looking forward to the challenge we have this season because we have an opportunity to finish in the top six.

'We will have to hit top form to get into the play-offs but, if we do that, we will have a great chance of going on and winning them.

'It wouldn't be in the lap of the gods if we finished in the top six — we would have the momentum to dictate the play-offs.

'There may be teams above us who already have a play-off place guaranteed, but getting there in top form at the end of the season is a better way to do it.'

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