Player Watch #34 Matthew Roberts

[Adnico26Parker]

 

[JackHiscoxWasFast]

Never been happier to be wrong about this guy. Was fantastic last night and looked fast. Only saw the second half but his disposal efficiency must have been close to 100%

 

[MF]

I didn't think much of Roberts until his move the backline. Such a beautiful kick and smart user of the footy.

 

[the hypnotoad]

I didn't think much of Roberts until his move the backline. Such a beautiful kick and smart user of the footy.

and he's tough, doesn't shirk any physical contact, and seems to like sticking a tackle
really seems like he's found his niche

 

[MF]

and he's tough, doesn't shirk any physical contact, and seems to like sticking a tackle
really seems like he's found his niche

A bit of Mark Bayes about him

 

[BloodySwan]

Looking very comfortable down back

 

[the hypnotoad]

and he's not 21 til the end of july!
already proving a revelation

 

[DeathlyAccurate]

and he's not 21 til the end of july!
already proving a revelation

F me this team really is young.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Callipygian]

The stats may not back it up but I thought he was even better last night than last week. I think having his best game last week (and winning the rising star) may have boosted his confidence. He's got the hardness and good ball use that were useful in the midfield and they are now standing him in good stead in defence. Competing pretty well overhead too.

 

[Ticky009]

A bit of Mark Bayes about him

Well know, if he can turn out half as good I'll be very pleased.

 

[Ticky009]

The stats may not back it up but I thought he was even better last night than last week. I think having his best game last week (and winning the rising star) may have boosted his confidence. He's got the hardness and good ball use that were useful in the midfield and they are now standing him in good stead in defence. Competing pretty well overhead too.

I feel like he's got the temperament of a defender. He never seems to panic and just puts his head over the ball and looks for options around him. Not a flair player yet by any means, but he plays his role very well so far.

Can we also talk about those kicks out of defence when he gets ahold of one

 

[Dan87]

I sort of thought there was an opportunity to draft a defensive utility last year but the club knew what they had with this guy

 

[Ticky009]

I sort of thought there was an opportunity to draft a defensive utility last year but the club knew what they had with this guy

Clearly tagged as Lloyd's replacement.

 

[Callipygian]

I feel like he's got the temperament of a defender. He never seems to panic and just puts his head over the ball and looks for options around him. Not flair player yet by any means, but he plays his role very well so far.

Can we also talk about those kicks out of defence when he gets ahold of one

I think you've nailed this. I was a bit sceptical of descriptions of Roberts as a "natural defender" because I saw him as a natural mid who might be shoehorned into defence because he's good and there's no room in the midfield. But you've done a good job of explaining why his qualities that make him a good player really do lend themselves to a defensive role.

 

[Ticky009]

I think you've nailed this. I was a bit sceptical of descriptions of Roberts as a "natural defender" because I saw him as a natural mid who might be shoehorned into defence because he's good and there's no room in the midfield. But you've done a good job of explaining why his qualities that make him a good player really do lend themselves to a defensive role.

My defender girl groupie chops showing

 

[Dan87]

Clearly tagged as Lloyd's replacement.

I think he goes about it a little bit different. Probably takes his spot but everyone around that half back contributes the run and carry that Lloyd made a career out of now

 

[JackHiscoxWasFast]

Love to see his disposal efficiency stats on the second half, must have been close to 100% !

 

[The King!]

I think I wrote him off due to his hair colour

 

[Neverwas]

I think he is a natural left footer but he seems just as good on his right Handball is also excellent.

 

[Dubai Quacker]

Clearly tagged as Lloyd's replacement.

Not so sure about that.

Horse tends to like his mids to do their apprenticeship at half back.

 

[Ticky009]

Not so sure about that.

Horse tends to like his mids to do their apprenticeship at half back.

True that but I feel he's set for a long if not permanent spell down back, just looks like a natural down back.

 

[Dubai Quacker]

True that but I feel he's set for a long if not permanent spell down back, just looks like a natural down back.

His pedigree is as a mid who can go forward.

But you might be right - it wouldn’t be the first time the Swans have successfully turned a player like that into a defender.

 

[Kiama Chris]

His pedigree is as a mid who can go forward.

But you might be right - it wouldn’t be the first time the Swans have successfully turned a player like that into a defender.

We successfully turned Florent into a HBF at a time that we were short on medium defenders. McInerney can play there or Campbell but would be robbing Peter to pay Paul.
With Rampe (33), Fox (30), Cunningham (30) and Lloyd (30) reaching towards the end of their roads having another solid medium defender ready to roll is good list management.
Maybe Magor and Vickery have a ways to go, if they're going to make it at all as defenders.

 

[RilesMacca]

Career best game tonight, I kept on saying to myself throughout the game he feels like already one of our most reliable defenders. Composed and had some great defensive acts.

 

[Dubai Quacker]

Really liked Roberts’ game tonight.

It appears he’s started to feel like he belongs - played with composure.

I came away thinking we could have a 200 gamer emerging.