MARTINEZ DEMANDS A LONG GOODBYE TO THE LOWER DIVISIONS
Gareth Vincent (thisissouthwales.co.uk)
09:00 - 02 May 2008
Swansea City play their last game before becoming a Championship club tomorrow with Roberto Martinez determined to say a long goodbye to League One.Swansea take on a Brighton side with nothing to play for at the Withdean hoping to sign off with one last victory in a season packed with success.
But Martinez has already begun turning his attention to next season - and to ensuring Swansea avoid an immediate league One return.
"Our aim has to be to make sure this is our last game at this level for some time," the Swansea manager said.
"We will have to make sure we improve many things between now and the start of next season, and we will have to make slow, solid steps in the Championship.
"It's going to be a real test for us over the next six or seven months, a fantastic challenge we have to be ready for. It's not going to be easy. We won't just be able to turn up.
"We'll have to work really hard to earn our status as a Championship side.
"But as a club that has to be our target. We need to make sure we don't come back to this level and I believe we are ready to do that.
"Whenever we have faced tough challenges in the past we have come through them because this club has stuck together, and I believe the same thing will happen now."
Martinez has a potential headache in midfield at Brighton after Leon Britton picked up an ankle ligament injury in training which will be assessed today.
Darren Way is also struggling to make the trip because of a knee complaint, while Ferrie Bodde will not be risked because he has not fully recovered from a groin problem.
If Britton misses out, Darren Pratley is likely to join Owain Tudur Jones in central midfield on his return from a one-match ban.
Jason Scotland, meantime, is available having returned to training in midweek after the condition of his sick mother improved.
Getting the Trinidad & Tobago man his 30th goal of the season will be one of Swansea's targets tomorrow, as will extending their club-record points return for a season to 92.
"We've got a few knocks and bruises, but we will have a strong enough squad to go to Brighton and finish the season on a high," Martinez added.
Albion boss Dean Wilkins, meantime, has warned his side they face the division's finest this weekend.
"I said early on when Swansea were just about mid-table that they would be up there," he said.
"They have been the best side by a long way."
