Adios Amigo

There are some things in football that you just don't see coming, and for Swansea City fans, the departure of their much heralded manager, Roberto Martinez, was a bitter pill to swallow.

This, the same Roberto Martinez who spoke of wanting players who would 'walk through the night' to play for Swansea City; players who could look at their long-term careers rather than short-term financial gain. And yes, the same man who professed from very early on that his departure from Swansea City as a manager would be as it was as a player - forced.

Indeed, Martinez seemed like a different breed. His loyalty was a breath of fresh air in today's modern game, where players and managers alike jump ship at the drop of a hat. The 35 year old always conducted himself with dignity and class, and combined scintillating football with some astute signings in the transfer market. In the eyes of the Swansea faithful, Martinez could do no wrong.

So when the Spaniard jumped ship and returned to Wigan Athletic, fans at the Liberty Stadium could be forgiven for feeling a little betrayed, disappointed, and let down - all in equal measure.

People will point to the fact that Martinez is returning to Wigan; the place where he made a name for himself in the English game as part of the 'three amigos that Dave Whelan brought to the club in the summer of 1995. And while this may be true, by Martinez' own admission, he didn't feel nearly the same affiliation for the Lancashire club as he did for his beloved Swansea.

This love for Swansea goes back to 2006, where a personality clash with then manager Kenny Jackett left the midfielder surplus to requirements. But rather than sign for another side in League One, the Spaniard dropped a division to sign for Chester City in League Two, such was his love for the Swans, in that he couldn't bare to face them as an opposing player.

And that's what makes the situation all the more painful for the Swansea faithful. They placed their trust in Martinez; a man who seemed to love the club as much as they did. Unfortunately, their faith was misplaced.

Others will say that Swansea should express gratitude towards the man who gave them so much success - on and off the field. This may be true, but by the same token, should Martinez not repay the same gratitude given to him by the club that gave him his big break in management as an untried 33 year old? Of course, Martinez proved the doubters wrong, delivering promotion to the Championship with champagne football that had never been seen in South Wales. However, chairman Hew Jenkins deserves credit for being so bold in appointing the Spaniard in the first place.

In an ironic twist, a man linked with the job at the Liberty Stadium has shown loyalty to his current employers. Much like Martinez, Paul Tisdale, manager of Exeter City, is a manager held in high regard by his own fans after back to back promotions. But instead of jumping ship, Tisdale is staying loyal to his current employers, where he knows he will be afforded the patience that other chairman lack, thanks to his glowing reputation at St James Park. One would think that Martinez would also be given time at the Liberty Stadium, should he have a bad spell, such is his popularity amongst the Swansea fans. He might not be afforded the same patience at Wigan, for whom survival in the Premier League with all it's riches is paramount. There will be little room for sentiment.

What now for Swansea? The next appointment is a crucial one, with the ideals of Martinez firmly stamped all over the playing squad. The footballing philosophy cannot change; the fans nor the players would accept it. Gus Poyet seems like a sound choice, a manager with limited experience, yes, but that didn't do the last manager any harm, did it? He would get the Swans playing the way they've become accustomed to, and with the fans behind him, could help the club progress to the Premier League.

Swansea in the Premier League, with Wigan Athletic going in the opposite direction? It seems unlikely now, but football has a habit of being unpredictable, doesn't it?

Murray marches on as Wimbledon draws ever closer

The road from Queen’s Club to Wimbledon is one that can lead to great success. Just ask Pete Sampras, Lleyton Hewitt, or last year’s winner at Queen’s club, Rafael Nadal - three players who won at Queen’s on their way to the bigger prize. So while it may be premature to mention Andy Murray in the same breath as such fine players, on current form, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to discount the young Scot from his maiden grass court title, and, whisper it quietly, Wimbledon.

Granted, we’ve been here before, but with 11 ATP Tour titles to his name, and three titles won this year alone, it’s clear that Murray is made of sterner stuff than his British predecessors.

The number one seed booked his place in the semi-finals at Queens Club, comfortably defeating Mardy Fish 7-5, 6-3. The Scot will now face former world number one Juan Carlos Ferrero for a place in the final, who looked impressive on the grass yesterday and has the pedigree to trouble the 22 year old. On current form, however, it’s hard to look past the ever confident and assured Murray, who doesn’t look like dropping a set, let alone lose a match.

Fish’s game plan came as no surprise. The American was heavily reliant on his powerful serve, and looked to come to the net at every opportunity; a throwback to the days of Tiger Tim, if you will.

But to win tournaments consistently you need more variety, something that Murray has in abundance. The Scot played intelligently, as you would expect, and served well - 69% of his first serves found the mark, and 30 of 31 points that were contested on his first serve were won.

The breaks of serve were just as impressive. In the eleventh game of the first set, Murray raced into a 0-40 lead, and after getting back into the game at 30-40, a routine smash from Fish went awry, gifting the set to Murray.

There were two breaks of serve in the second set, both coming from fine backhand service returns. The first left Fish trapped on the baseline, and the American duly swallowed the bait. The second came at match point, wrapping up proceedings in one hour and ten minutes. A job well done, and Pimms all round.

Things are certainly looking promising for Murray. Indeed, he’s made the transition from clay to grass with ease, and with no Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in action, one could argue that Murray is the in-form player on grass as Wimbledon draws ever closer. A daunting prospect, yes, but one you feel he will take in his stride, such is the confidence that he exudes on court.

As Wimbledon approaches, the crowds at SW19 will undoubtedly have similar thoughts. All the talk may be of Federer and his quest to become the greatest of all time, and rightly so. A certain Scot is providing his own narrative, however, and it could prove to be fascinating.