The glowing tribute Nigel Pearson paid Swansea City and Russell Martin

Nigel Pearson has praised Russell Martin and his side ahead of Bristol City’s matchup with Swansea City at Ashton Gate on Saturday. The Swans have won six of their last seven EFL Championship matches, netting 15 goals in the process.

Martin’s possession-based style has set his team in good stead so far this season, and they will be confident that they can take some points back to SA1 on Saturday, in a fixture where they have enjoyed success of late.

“Good side,” Pearson said. “We know that over a number of years their game is all about passing. They’ve had a really good run recently and they are a good footballing side.”

Their recent run of form has seen the Jacks move up to fourth place in the league table, just five points off league leaders Burnley, and with a game in hand.

Martin’s side have recorded the highest average possession stats in the league this season and enjoyed 83% of the ball in their South Wales derby victory over 10-man Cardiff City last weekend.

“They stick to their principles and Russell has done a really good job there. In his early time there he came under a bit of pressure, but he’s stuck to his beliefs which is really important. They are a really good side, and they will be a difficult side to beat.”

The visitors will likely have the lion’s share of the ball on Saturday, although this might play into the Robins’ hands.

With forward options such as Nahki Wells, Antoine Semenyo and Tommy Conway available, Pearson’s side is not short of pace in behind.

Teams have perhaps been guilty of sitting back at Ashton Gate of late, but the Swans’ philosophy means that is unlikely to be the case this weekend, and Pearson believes the Robins can have some joy going forward.

“I’m also confident he will know we’ve got some threats in our team too,” he said. “Hopefully it will be a good game but we could do with three points.”

The Welsh outfit won this fixture 1-0 last season, and the Robins fans will be hoping for a different result come 2 P.M. Saturday.