Masterclass 2 min read

Russell Martin

Russell Martin
Photography by Philip Haynes
Author
The Coaches' Voice
Published on
January 27 2023

championship, april 2 2022

Cardiff City 0Swansea City 4

Obafemi (6, 82)
Cabango (57)
Wolf (78)

Russell Martin was named Swansea City manager in August 2021, and in his first season at the club masterminded the first ever league double in the fierce local rivalry with Cardiff City. In this exclusive Coaches’ Voice Masterclass, Martin delivers an incredible insight into the tactical approach for the second of his team’s victories: a comprehensive 4-0 that silenced a stunned home crowd in April 2022.

In the Masterclass, Martin reflects on the 3-0 home win over Cardiff from earlier in the season, before explaining the changes that had come into play for the reverse fixture. Out of possession, he speaks about the way in which he looked to use deep-lying midfielder Flynn Downes in front of the team’s three centre-backs, and how important it is that his team’s defensive units remain connected from front to back. On the ball, he explains the importance of middle centre-back Kyle Naughton, the role of his attacking wing-backs in tandem with number eights Joël Piroe and Jamie Paterson, and the job Michael Obafemi had in stretching the pitch in behind the Cardiff centre-backs.

It’s a superbly detailed but clear exposition of tactics that work to full effect in a hugely important fixture for both club and coach.   

Starting line-ups
Cardiff CitySwansea City
25253838152217929335262223481317912
Cardiff City3-5-2
Swansea City3-4-2-1
25Alex Smithies
33Andy Fisher
2Mark McGuinness
5Ben Cabango
5Aden Flint
26Kyle Naughton
38Perry Ng
22Joel Latibeaudiere
3Joel Bagan
23Cyrus Christie
8Joe Ralls
4Flynn Downes
15Ryan Wintle
8Matt Grimes
22Tommy Doyle
13Hannes Wolf
17Cody Drameh
17Joël Piroe
9Jordan Hugill
12Jamie Paterson
29Mark Harris
9Michael Obafemi
Match stats
Cardiff CitySwansea City

11/2

SHOTS / ON TARGET

11/4

44.4%

POSSESSION

55.6%

23

ATTACKS INTO AREA

18

1.1

EXPECTED GOALS (XG)

1.33