Routledge relishing style throwback

10th April
First team

Wayne Routledge is experiencing a sense of deja vu as Swansea City's style of play under Graham Potter reminds him of life at the start of his time with the club.

The experienced winger is in his eighth season with the Swans, with only Nathan Dyer having served the club for longer from the current first-team squad.

Routledge played under the likes of Brendan Rodgers and Michael Laudrup, when Swansea were regularly praised for the manner in which they played.

There has been a similar sense of enjoyment to be seen in recent weeks as a young squad have started to really hit their stride under Potter.

But it's not just the young guns who are getting a buzz out of a return to an attractive, possession-based game.

"You can see that we are getting better and better. You can see the team ideology in terms of what we’re trying to do coming through," he said. 

"It’s really good and it’s the way that we’ve been used to playing from when I first came here. It’s great to see actual progression – both on and off the pitch.

"The idea is to play football the right way. That’s what it always has been here. You play it the right way where the crowd understands and that’s how they want to see football.

"Hopefully, in time, results will come from it. We probably should’ve beaten West Brom the other week, but didn’t take any chances.

"We also had the game against Manchester City where, with a bit of luck, we’d have won that game, too.

"Obviously, we’ve made it three wins in a row and we’re heading in the right direction."

At 34, Routledge is the elder statesman in Potter's squad, but he is relishing the task of passing on his experience to try and help nurture an exciting crop of youngsters.

“We’ve got a team with a lot of young players that have no fear. Everyone wants the ball and are not afraid to make mistakes. It’s nice to be a part of them coming through and seeing what they’re capable of," he added.

"“It’s a total role reversal for me. It’s nice to see Daniel (James), Matt Grimes, Connor (Roberts), Joe (Rodon) and George (Byers) coming through.

"Had we stayed in the Premier League, they may not have got the chance. But they’re getting it now and showing what they’re capable of."