Connor Roberts has spoken about his recent time at Burnley and especially this season which he is enjoying far more now he has settled in to a different style of playing. Admittedly his understanding from a possession based upbringing at Swansea has helped. But he thinks the way the clarets are playing now is more productive long term.

With the visit of Swansea City on the near horizon and both sides in form in the top six of the championship this game is a bit of a six pointer. Both sides have played thirteen games so far this season with the swans on twenty one points in sixth place and Burnley on twenty two in fourth. Of and it really is a huge if in fact the swans take the points the least they can be guaranteed is a rise to fifth. The team immediately above Swansea are Reading who are home to West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

And of course as is the way in the championship the swans take on Reading at the swansea.com stadium next Tuesday night. Roberts will be looking forward to this game ion Saturday without doubt. He is in a rich vein of form and really enjoying his football under Vincent Kompany. On his season so far Roberts believes he is in a good place. “I think it is more normal to me to play this way," discussing Burnley's style as it is now. Reflecting on his time with Sean Dyche before he was sacked he said “When I came last season it was a different way of playing and something I maybe struggled to adjust to. I did things that perhaps weren't normal to me whereas this season it is perhaps a little bit more normal to take up the positions that I am and be a bit more patient on the ball”

That’s more than evident despite potentially playing sides who are not at the level of the premier league. And Connor agrees. "I have grown up at Swansea and always played with the ball from a young age so I am always comfortable. I am used to it having done it for many years at Swansea. I am seeing more of the ball compared to last year, we are not playing against as good teams as last year but we are playing a different way with players who want to keep hold of the ball and enjoy having the ball”

Kompany most certainly has made his Burnley side a slicker more thoughtful team this season, and that of course will please footballers who love possession like Connor Roberts. "We are in a period of transition at this club and it has never really been done for a good few years playing this type of way. In the long run playing this way is better and it will hopefully bring success."

Burnley v Swansea City kicks off at 3pm at Turf Moor. Reports on the build up will appear here before the teams are announced on Saturday.

Photographs licensed from Reuters

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