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Martinez hails Swans 'arrogance'

Roberto Martinez
Martinez has inspired the Swans into play-off Championship contention

Roberto Martinez hailed Swansea City's "arrogance" as the Swans kick-started their Championship play-off bid with a stunning 2-0 humbling of Reading.

Swansea completed revenge over the high-flying Royals on Saturday after their 4-0 loss in Reading in September.

Last season's League One champions are unbeaten in ten Championship games and boss Martinez told BBC Sport: "It shows how far we've come in a little time.

"We're starting to have a good football arrogance in the squad."

Swansea, who have lost just once at their Liberty Stadium fortress this season, boast an impressive record against their play-off rivals.

And three of their five league defeats have been against the division's runaway top three Wolverhampton Wanderers, Reading and Birmingham City.

Matches against the leading pack aside, Swansea have not lost in the league since a 2-0 defeat at Crystal Palace on 13 September.

In that time Swansea have also beaten leaders Wolves and second-placed Reading as well as holding third-placed Birmingham 0-0 at St Andrew's.

Swansea are just four points outside the play-off zone and sixth placed Cardiff City, their arch rivals, in their first season in English football's second tier for 24 years.

Martinez, the Championship's youngest manager at 35, is one of the most promising young coaches in the Football League as his attractive style of football in a new division has earned universal plaudits.

The Spaniard was insistent that his team did not sacrifice their footballing philosophies in a higher division following promotion from League One.

And Swansea are an embodiment of their boss as they play with style and a steely determined attitude that is refreshing.

"We played League One last season," said Martinez after Saturday's 2-0 win over Reading, who were relegated from the Premier League last season.

"And now we're competing against a team that is of Premier League standard and were well worthy winners.

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"We had no experience of this level this season and I think the way we approached Championship football was very brave.

"We have been constantly learning lessons this season lessons and the one Reading taught us earlier this season was probably the biggest.

"Now to perform the way we did here is a big credit to us. We are trying to be ourselves in every game.

"It shows how quickly we have learned because we took a brave approach to the Championship in the style of football we play.

"To be where we are is very pleasing but there is a long way to go.

"Reading only had one strike on target and that shows how hard we worked off the ball.

"I thought that we controlled the 90 minutes, the players worked very hard and their attitude is fantastic."



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see also
Swansea 2-0 Reading
17 Jan 09 |  Championship
Allen hails Reading revenge mission
17 Jan 09 |  Swansea
Wales' sporting weekend in photos
17 Jan 09 |  Wales
BBC Sport Wales coverage
03 Oct 11 |  Wales


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