As Swansea City's revival under boss Vitor Matos continues to gather momentum, Iwan Roberts believes a top-half finish would now represent a strong season - especially given the dismal start the Welsh side made under Alan Sheehan. When Matos took charge on 24 November, Swansea were 20th and only four points above relegation. "That's a great away win considering they'd lost seven of their previous eight away games," added Roberts.
As Swansea City's revival under boss Vitor Matos continues to gather momentum, Iwan Roberts believes a top-half finish would now represent a strong season - especially given the dismal start the Welsh side made under Alan Sheehan.
When Matos took charge on 24 November, Swansea were 20th and only four points above relegation. They now sit seven points clear of danger and just eight behind Wrexham in sixth, a gap Roberts thinks could still narrow.
"It's there for whatever team wants to get hold of it," the former Wales striker told the Feast of Football podcast.
The Swans improvement was highlighted by last weekend's impressive 2–0 win at Watford, only Matos' second away victory, backed by a 2.78 xG.
"That's a great away win considering they'd lost seven of their previous eight away games," added Roberts.
With the January window now closed, top scorer Zan Vipotnik remains at the club - another ex-Wales international Sam Vokes commenting "sometimes it is important what you hold on to more so than what you bring in".
In terms of incomings, Swansea added winger Gustavo Nunes, experienced right-back Joel Ward, and attacking midfielder Leo Walta, whose arrival in particular has generated excitement with Vokes telling the podcast he is "the best of the lot".
The Finland international scored 16 goals in 30 appearances last season for IK Sirius and Roberts believes Walta's numbers "would suggest that he can make you a goal".
Swansea have scored an average of one goal or fewer in 22 of their 30 matches and supporters will be hoping, like Vokes, that Walta will "improve that statistic" - especially as Ronald is Swansea's second top scorer with only four goals. Vipotnik, is the Championship leading marksman with 13 goals, while he has also managed two in the cups.
At Watford, Marko Stamenic also impressed, contributing a goal and assist.
With Walta's arrival, Swansea now have genuine midfield competition and added creativity, qualities that Roberts feels Matos' side have been lacking.
Roberts also highlighted Swansea's crucial next six fixtures, against Sheffield Wednesday, Derby, Bristol City, Preston, Ipswich and Stoke.
While Vokes believes Matos can be "quite happy with the squad he's got", Roberts believes supporters may have wanted a more well-known, experienced winger alongside a centre-half.
Even so, Roberts feels Swansea are well-placed to progress adding: "I think a top-half finish would be good for Swansea.
"Matos has come in, won half of his games, won 16 points from his home games. Sheehan took them to 11th last year so considering where they were when Matos took over, I think a top-half finish would be a decent season for Swansea."
The Swans host bottom club Wednesday on Sunday (12:01 GMT) aiming to continue a run that has seen them lose just once in their last five matches.
Category: General Sports
