Connor Roberts

[jedi_master]

The promotion winner from Connor tonight, and I just wanted to throw him a thread up.

Pre-World Cup I really didn’t rate him very highly. I felt he was probably someone we could upgrade on, and that he wasn’t particularly strong backwards or forwards. Likewise, I felt he didn’t perform that well for us in the relegation season.

Since the World Cup he’s been very close to our best player after the likes of Beyer and Tella, for me. Outstanding and an easy 8/10 minimum most weeks. He’s notched quite a few goals but it’s not just that - his defending, his composure, consistency and driving runs into the middle of the park from full back have been brilliant. He’s blossomed from a player that it was quite difficult to judge or make a firm opinion on into a real talent and a key cog in a magnificent team.

Well bloody done Connor.

[Casper2]

He’s been brilliant all season

[tiger76]

Beat me to it and he'll go down in Claret folklore as the man who fired us back to the Prem.

He struggled to establish himself due to injury in his 1st season, but he has shown glimpses, and since the World Cup he's been excellent.

We shouldn't be surprised he's excelled at Championship level as his goals and assists were decent at Swansea.

For 2.5m he's been a more than useful signing.

[Sozturf7]

Totally agree, I think he just wanted to be appreciated and he definitely is.

[Tw@]

He’s been a key player

[Pickles]

We've had the vast majority of the season with fans criticising his performances when they just haven't identified the different role he's been playing. He's been brilliant this season.

[RVclaret]

I’ve rated him all season but it’s fair to say he went up a level or two post World Cup. Full backs are a huge part of VK’s system and his game has really stepped up a notch in understanding the spaces, when to stay back and when to attack (as seen with his goal tonight) and receiving the ball in central areas too. He gives 100% every game and looks really happy now, after a tricky first season with us.

[KlyBfc]

He wasn’t as bad last year (or pre World Cup) as made out but he’s certainly been very good since

[ksrclaret]

I'm with you, Jedi, in that I didn't rate his contributions too highly before the World Cup break. I remember posting after the West Brom game that I was fed up with him after he'd not dealt very well with a back post clearance that led to them equalising.

Since the World Cup break he's been, at worst, solid every week, and turned in some proper top level stuff. In my opinion, it's since VK altered his role to be someone who plays centrally in the build-up phase, rather than as part of a back three as he was doing early season.

He'll now forever be a Clarets legend and will go down in history as someone who bagged the promotion-winning goal.

[distortiondave]

Full backs don't score from open play in the six yard box. It might have happened more often than I've taken notice of, but I don't recall Alexander Arnold, Kyle Walker, Luke Shaw and the rest popping up with goals from open play in the six yard box.
Vitinho has done it at least once, I think Maatsen has and so now Roberts.

[TravisBickle]

He’s been brilliant all season

Spot on. From day one. His performance at Huddersfield was superb.

[Quickenthetempo]

Plays within his self too much. Until I slag him off then he comes a world beater.

Long may it continue.

[Here's-Johnny]

If he could throw a ball I'd be more Convinced.....

[Duffer_]

He looked like a perfect Dyche signing with his down to earth love of carpentry but, despite some flashes of brilliance including a left foot screamer, he struggled to settle in the PL. He started the Champ season well but as we edged towards the World Cup he withdrew a little. There were one or two challenges that suggested he had an eye on the World Cup. That isn't meant as a criticism - I think it's only natural to protect yourself, probably sub-consciously, when faced with that kind of opportunity. He has been outstanding since the World Cup.

Despite all those ups and downs, the strangest thing has been his apparent lack of connection with the fans. He has often cut a lonely figure as he disappeared down the tunnel as fast as he could. I hope he felt the love tonight and it represents a watershed in his time with us. I like him as a player and I think he could be huge for us next season. Well done Connor! Now relax and enjoy us and the ride.

[Lord Beamish]

Got a real swagger about his play under Kompany. Long may that continue.

[SalisburyClaret]

Brilliant.
Strong contender for player of the year and will be totally comfortable in the PL.

[blatherwickstattoos]

Just shows how brilliant a coach kompany is. Right back in the box in a strikers position is a given.

[Darnhill Claret]

Connor just seems a lot happier being here than he originally did.

[Darnhill Claret]

As a result he is playing much, much better.

[Vegas Claret]

I love him to bits, taken over the **** housery from Ashley too

[Swizzlestick]

Pre World Cup he was off the boil, looked out of sorts. Post Cup, an absolute colossus. Funny as **** too.

[NottsClaret]

I was thinking the same, he did kind of look like he was waiting for the World Cup earlier in the season, although he wasn’t terrible. But since coming back he’s had Cullen-like levels of consistency. Finally seems to be enjoying it here and very much a key part of the team.

[Woodleyclaret]

Great goal and if we can eliminate his urge to pass back when a forward pass would put us on the front foot he'd be even better

[Healeywoodclaret]

The promotion winner from Connor tonight, and I just wanted to throw him a thread up.

Pre-World Cup I really didn’t rate him very highly. I felt he was probably someone we could upgrade on, and that he wasn’t particularly strong backwards or forwards. Likewise, I felt he didn’t perform that well for us in the relegation season.

Since the World Cup he’s been very close to our best player after the likes of Beyer and Tella, for me. Outstanding and an easy 8/10 minimum most weeks. He’s notched quite a few goals but it’s not just that - his defending, his composure, consistency and driving runs into the middle of the park from full back have been brilliant. He’s blossomed from a player that it was quite difficult to judge or make a firm opinion on into a real talent and a key cog in a magnificent team.

Well bloody done Connor.

He didn't look happy last season.... He's done so well under Vincent Kompany and if course Craig Bellamy. He's positively glowing... Well Done Connor Lad.. Thanks for a great season... So far!! Truly don't want this season to come to an end!

[Healeywoodclaret]

PS Loved the Trumpet goal celebration!

[Devils_Advocate]

Pre the Vitinho injury there wasn't a gap or position to fill and Roberts was 3rd choice full back. The fact that Roberts is now first choice and Vitiniho has become a squad player (in the same way Jack Cork has in midfield) just shows how well Roberts has grown and progressed this season

[Flixtonclaret1]

Is it time to give him his own song?

We have used it before with Mo Camara (sung to the tune of the Macarena)

We’ve got a full back called Connor Roberts
We’ve got a full back called Connor Roberts
We’ve got a full back called Connor Roberts
Hey Connor Roberts

Just a thought ….

[warksclaret]

I got criticised last season for being very pro Roberts, and as we got to the end of last season I was starting to lose confidence in him. However this year his assists, goals and performances have been fantastic. When you look at the combined assists and goals of Roberts, Maatsen and Vitinho when he has played full back, you see why Taylor is not featuring. Charlie has not scored for us in his 6 years at the club and his assists in two seasons have been virtually nil

[claretspice]

Don't think he was bad pre world cup, but I would say that amongst the various things to have improved since the world cup, the ability of both full backs to operate bin Kompany’s preferred system is right at the top of the list. That applies to Maatsen, whose range of passing, reading of the game and defensive maturity gave all come on leaps and bounds. But it applies more so to Roberts, who has shown all sorts if talents we'd not previously seen, including a useful poachers instinct in the box.

All credit to him. Been terrific.

[Hipper]

I'm with you, Jedi, in that I didn't rate his contributions too highly before the World Cup break. I remember posting after the West Brom game that I was fed up with him after he'd not dealt very well with a back post clearance that led to them equalising.

Since the World Cup break he's been, at worst, solid every week, and turned in some proper top level stuff. In my opinion, it's since VK altered his role to be someone who plays centrally in the build-up phase, rather than as part of a back three as he was doing early season.

He'll now forever be a Clarets legend and will go down in history as someone who bagged the promotion-winning goal.

That's an interesting point about back post clearances. He probably prevented a late 'Boro equaliser with his aerial challenge on Akpom. He had no chance of winning it but his effort was enough to prevent Akpom hitting the target, then we won!

He has certainly done well, particularly this second part of the season but unfortunately his major weakness which may well be exploited at the top level is lack of pace.

[timshorts]

He's turned into the player we see for Wales since the world cup as if he's been given the licence to go on the runs into the box that he's appeared in for Wales unexpectedly.
The winner yesterday was just like that. Defending teams don't expect a right back to turn up in a central striker position. A bit like his goal in the world qualifiers where they should have been seeing the game out in the corner.

[spt_claret]

The promotion winner from Connor tonight, and I just wanted to throw him a thread up.

Pre-World Cup I really didn’t rate him very highly. I felt he was probably someone we could upgrade on, and that he wasn’t particularly strong backwards or forwards. Likewise, I felt he didn’t perform that well for us in the relegation season.

Since the World Cup he’s been very close to our best player after the likes of Beyer and Tella, for me. Outstanding and an easy 8/10 minimum most weeks. He’s notched quite a few goals but it’s not just that - his defending, his composure, consistency and driving runs into the middle of the park from full back have been brilliant. He’s blossomed from a player that it was quite difficult to judge or make a firm opinion on into a real talent and a key cog in a magnificent team.

Well bloody done Connor.

Agree completely. Before the World Cup I thought he looked like he didn't really want to be here, wasn't playing well and was making costly mistakes.
Since the World Cup he's been superb. I'm still worried about him a level above but what an improvement there's been. Great to see.