Martinez’s Future

Kenny Jackett made a brave decision to leave club captain Roberto Martinez out of the game at Rochdale last night and it paid dividends as the team recorded their first win of the season. But what now does that leave the future holding for Roberto?

Few Swans fans will ever argue that the form of Roberto was one of the main reasons why the club escaped relegation to the Conference in 2002/3. The team looked doomed when he arrived but a series of controlling games in midfield saw them escape with that unforgettable game against Hull at the Vetch.

Last season, Swans fans looked forward to him leading from the front in a promotion drive but all hopes of that were destroyed with a challenge from Tom Bennett against Boston. Roberto has simply not been the same since. Throughout his comeback later on last season and beyond, Roberto has looked a pale of the player that we were watching just 18 months ago and, after the indignity of being substituted against Northampton he was left out completely of the squad for last night’s game against Rochdale at Spotland.

The two players used in central midfield – Kris O’Leary and Leon Britton – drew special praise from Jackett who told the South Wales Evening Post ”Leon is a nimble, talented footballer who also makes his tackles, while Kris is a big, strong lad and a good competitor. I thought Kris was superb from start to finish last night. He had an excellent game.”

Jackett also refused to be drawn on whether Roberto would make a quick return to the team on Saturday against Macclesfield simply saying ”It’s too early for me to say whether Roberto is going to have to get used to not being a regular anymore. Right now I’m focusing on the 16 lads who were involved and got us a result against Rochdale.” This suggesting perhaps that Roberto was not in his plans for the forthcoming trip to the joint leaders on Saturday.

Jackett dropped another hint on this by saying ”People might be surprised Roberto wasn’t even on the bench but it was purely for football reasons. I picked a very attack-minded bench and I’m very aware that this is a pace and power division. I need that to be around as much as possible.” and working this with the comments on Leon and Kris above, it could suggest that Roberto may have to wait before he is considered again for first team action.

Swans fans have, in the main, applauded the decision to leave Roberto out and many have commented that it could be a step to getting back the Roberto that performed so admirably in that relegation avoiding season. A Martinez at the top of his game could worry any side in this division and if this is the catalyst that brings that Martinez back into the fold then Jackett is to be applauded more. It was a brave decision to leave the club captain out especially with the knives out for the manager in some quarters after just one defeat in the opening game but it paid off and shows that the manager is not going to pick anyone on reputation alone – a place in the side is gained on merit and not a given right.

Jackett though was full of praise for the way that Roberto conducted himself after being dropped from the squad, saying ”I understand that leaving out your club captain might send out a message, but I felt we needed something different in midfield. ”He accepted what I said and encouraged the rest of the players before the game; that’s what you expect from a pro like Roberto. ”At the moment, though, it’s too early to say what the future holds for him. I’ve been impressed by the way he has conducted himself but as far as the future goes, it’s difficult to say anything and it’s probably too soon.”

Swans fans will be left guessing whether Roberto will make a return to the squad quickly or whether he will be left kicking his heels in the reserves waiting for his chance to come back into the fold. Jackett’s comments certainly tend to suggest the latter with Leon, Kris and Gary Fisken seemingly ahead of him in the race for central midfield. And with one of last night’s scorers, Andy Robinson, also in the squad ahead of Martinez it could be some time before we see the Swans Number 6 back in action on the pitch.

Having said that, Roberto has always struck me as the utter professional and I hope that he takes this as a spur to want to win his place back and if that means a return to the old ‘Bob Martin’ then bring it on but in the meantime, attentions turn to Macclesfield on Saturday afternoon.