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Portsmouth Crowd Won't Affect Nathan

Roberto Martinez believes that Nathan Dyer will use any abuse as a spur rather than a hinderance next week

Dyer has made an impressive start to his Swansea City career and will look to continue that next week at Portsmouth as the Swans look to dump the holders out of the competition.

And because of his Southampton connection - Dyer is currently on loan from St Marys - he is sure to face the wrath of the Fratton Park faithful because of that and his previous indiscreations.

But his new manager believes that he is strong enough to shut that out and let his football do the talking.  "Nathan won't be afffected in a negative way," Roberto said "Since he joined us a couple of weeks ago I've been impressed not only with his football ability but also his personality.

"If he gets rough treatment from the Portsmouth fans I'm confident he will deal with it really well.  Nathan is a bubbly character and he will love that sort of environment.

"It will be a special game for him because of his background.   He will enjoy it and he will be desperate to do well.

"He's 21 and that's the perfect age to deal with a hostile crowd because you're young, fresh and always looking forward to games.

"In my experience it's players in the middle of their careers who find it difficult when fans give them abuse not the youngsters.

"Time and time again I've seen players of Nathan's age perform well on big occasions.

"That's because they have a great appetite for the game and are always looking to get on the ball.  They don't get distracted by the crowd.

"I'm sure Nathan is desperate to play against Portsmouth.  He will be a real handful for them vecause he's got great pace and an eye for goal."

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