An emotional Andrea Orlandi laid bare his frustrations for all to see after scoring his first Swansea goal last weekend.

Scoring late in the second half to clinch all three points against promotion tipped Reading there was little doubt what Orlandi's first goal in British football meant to him. Since his arrival from Barcelona B two seasons ago the 23 year old has been plagued with injury.

Missing a large proportion of the season through a thigh problem, the Barcelona born product has burst back onto the scene with two impressive performances against Histon in the 3^rd round of the FA Cup and against Reading on Saturday.

Expressing his frustrations at not been able to contribute more Orlandi has thanked his team-mates for their support through his injury lay off, he told the SWEP, “Now I'm playing, I feel really good and my team-mates have helped me a lot. I'm very grateful to them and I want to say thank you to them. I just cried after the goal because I've suffered a lot since I first came here. I think I deserved it

He added, “Only me and my girlfriend know how much I have suffered because I've been at home not playing and with injury problems. It was my first goal for Swansea and it was an important goal for us.I needed a goal like that. To come on in a difficult game and score to make it 2-0 against a good team like Reading is unbelievable for me.”

Swansea now have won three games on the trot and look all but set to mount a serious challenge on the play off places but Orlandi has admitted that he is now more able to cope mentally for that surge as he now adds, “ It has been really frustrating. I have to say that maybe I wasn't mentally prepared for British football, but now I am,The gaffer knew I was a good player, but Mark Gower and Tom Butler have been playing well.Now I've taken my chance in the cup and against Reading. I'm working hard and hopefully the results will come."

Photo: Action Images

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