Martin – Piroe’s been brilliant, but our first chat wasn’t!

Swans boss Russell Martin paid tribute to Joel Piroe after he netted his 15th goal of the season in the win at West Brom last night.

The Dutch striker finished Olivier Ntcham’s left wing cross to open the scoring despite playing in a different role on the right side of the attack, something which no doubt endeared himself further to Martin.

The Swansea manager says his initial chats with Piroe were not “overly positive” with the Dutchman not understanding  Martin’s expectations for him which saw him out of the squad for the first game of the season at Blackburn Rovers.

That soon changed and Piroe has never looked back since and continues to be a bright spot in an average season for the Swans in mid table.

Martin told Wales Online: “He’s playing a different role to try and get them both [Piroe and Michael Obafemi] into the team to try and increase our goal threat,” said Martin.

“When we score first we have a brilliant record. Joel Piroe I thought was fantastic, out of possession he did a brilliant job for us. He’s playing a different role to what he ever has done, he’s playing in a midfield really

“He’s just a brilliant boy.

“I think it’s gone very differently to how I thought it was going to go with Joel in the first week.

“He’s shown big character, and when he gets a chance you expect him to score such is the quality he possesses.

“He has a huge future in the game, and hopefully we get the chance to work with him for a long time and keep improving him

“It was about giving him clarity and wow, he’s been huge. You can see how much the supporters love him, but I still think there’s a lot more to come from him.”