Mike's praise for experienced duo

24th April
First team

Mike van der Hoorn has hailed experienced pair Nathan Dyer and Wayne Routledge for helping mature Graham Potter’s young guns.

The Swans centre-back has worn the captain’s armband on numerous occasions this season due to Leroy Fer’s time on the sidelines, but he has counted on Dyer and Routledge to help nurture the Swans’ young talents.

After biding their time for a regular first-team role, the wingers have become key members of Potter’s plans, with Routledge scoring the winner in Easter Monday’s 1-0 win at Ipswich Town.

Dyer has featured 22 times this season - scoring three goals - while Routledge took his tally to four in 23 appearances with his strike at Portman Road.

And van der Hoorn was full of praise for the duo.

“Nathan and Wayne are very important to this team,” said the Dutch defender.

“If you play without them they’re a massive loss, but you notice the difference when they are involved in the game. They just know when to keep the ball, make runs in behind or hold the ball up.

“We have a young team here and the young players have learned a lot this season. That comes from playing in the games and getting experience, but also on watching how Nathan and Wayne approach the game and their professionalism.

“It’s a really good mix that we have here. There are the promising young players who are getting better with each game, and then there are the likes of Nath and Wayne who have played for many years at the top level but are helping this team with their experience.”