Phil SumblerThere is little doubt that when the awards are lined up at the end of the season that the name of Connor Roberts will be close to the top of many of the lists as to who to hand them to.
The full back found himself on the scoresheet again last night as the Swans won 2-1 at Stoke and add to that his man of the match display it was little wonder that he was a happy man when he spoke to the media at the end of the game.
Roberts strike at the Bet365 Stadium came at a crucial point in the game with the Swans already a goal down from a defensive error which came on the top of the mistakes which cost us dearly against Bristol City last Saturday.
So when his first touch to a Ryan Manning cross gave the keeper no chance it proved to the the catalyst for an improved Swans performance and one that was ultimately rewarded by the last minute penalty converted by Andre Ayew.
Speaking after the game, Roberts said “That was massive for us, we had been in a little bit of a sticky patch compared to what had come before, so it’s good to bounce back because that’s part of our mindset.
“If we don’t win, or we don’t get the performance we want, our target is always to bounce back at the first opportunity.
“We have been able to do that in parts of the performance and in the result.
“It was not a big issue for us, there’s been no shouting and screaming, it’s been about keeping to the plan and the things we know we are good at it.
“We hope this result can be the start of another little run for us.”
Roberts’ performance also drew praise from his manager who said after the game “He was brilliant, and he has been due the man of the match award, It has been a bit of a standing joke in our dressing room, particularly when the games have been on Sky.
“He has finally got it tonight and it is well deserved. His defending was excellent.
“His goal and attacking play will catch the eye and he nearly got another one in the second half, but we put an emphasis on stopping and defending crosses as Stoke’s success rate from crosses is the highest in the league.
“He did that side of it well, so did Ryan Manning, but Connor has caught the eye with the goal and rightly so.
“He is doing great, we are so happy with him, and he just needs to keep it going.”
