SUCH was the significance of Swansea's 3-0 win over Ipswich that manager Roberto Martinez spoke for the first time about the possibility of reaching the play offs.

Derek Davis

SUCH was the significance of Swansea's 3-0 win over Ipswich that manager Roberto Martinez spoke for the first time about the possibility of reaching the play offs.

The win took Swansea to seventh in the table, two points off a top six place but left Town in 11th place and seven points away.

Martinez said: “The reality now is we are in a position that we can dream about the play-offs.

"We have now moved into the last third of the season and our target must now be the play-offs.

"The players are desperate to maintain this level until the end of the season.

"We wanted to have 51 points by the end of February and we are still three points from that."

Martinez made a mockery of the so-called curse after winning the Championship's manager of the month award for January and his side comprehensively outplayed Ipswich.

Martinez praised the unity within the club and said now was the time for them to utilise that.

He said: “Now is the time to get together as a football club.

"The staff, the players and especially the fans, need to make sure we are ready to give us our best possible chance to win three points in every game we play in."

Martinez believes the Swans' final run-in should be easier, not because they have played most of the top teams twice already, but because his players have adjusted to the Championship.

He added: "I'm delighted with the way a group of players with no experience at Championship level have been able to work towards getting the experience and towards having a good football arrogance, and that pleases me.

"I'm delighted that we have been able to compete in this division, never mind reaching the play-offs."