ROBERTO MARTINEZ hailed Jason Scotland after the Trinidad and Tobago striker secured Swansea City’s first Championship away-day success.
His first goal of the campaign capped an excellent individual display as Scotland led the line superbly, despite working his way back from a summer stomach operation.
“It was very pleasing to see Jason throughout,” said Martinez, who withdrew last season’s 29-goal top marksman during the final quarter.
“He was very strong, the ball was always under his feet and that allowed us to move forward a lot.
“It’s something very important. I’m pleased for him because he had to work very hard.
“We all know when you get a little injury in pre-season that it’s hard, because you’re always catching up.
“There’s always that danger because you’re wondering how long it’s going to be before Jason’s enjoying his football.
“But you can rely on his quality – he opened up the back four a lot, and that shows what a good player he is.”
Having dominated the first period, Swansea had to withstand an aerial bombardment after the interval as Plymouth threw caution to the winds.
Plymouth’s Marcel Seip saw his 51st-minute header disallowed for an infringement in a crowded penalty box.
“I didn’t see the replay ,but I spoke to the referee and he said had a clear view,” added Martinez. “It looked a straighforward decision but there was still a long time to go.
“If it’s the last minute there’s no time to react, but at that stage we were well in control and still had time to win the game.
“It is important to defend like that. Look at the size of Leon Britton and Ferrie Bodde, and we need to impose ourselves with a different type of football.
“We are going to get many tests in this division and I’m just pleased to come out with a good away performance.
“I thought we deserved the win over 90 minutes.”
Reflecting on two wins from their opening three games, Martinez said: “We said in pre-season that we had to get to our standards as quick as we could. Straight from the performance at Charlton we look like ourselves in this league.”