Luton Town 0 - Swindon Town 1 (From Swindon Advertiser)

Luton Town 0 - Swindon Town 1

7:21am Wednesday 30th January 2008 in Sport By Andy Cryer

"IF you see Robbo in training that is what you see, he is either a Premiership player or a pub player but we need to get more performances from him."

Town manager Maurice Malpas' description of the mercurial Christian Roberts may have been a slight exaggeration but the Welsh winger accepts consistency has been his biggest downfall throughout his career.

Last night's stunning individual winning goal lit up an otherwise grim evening at Kenilworth Road but many Town fans will be wondering which Roberts will turn up in the weekend's clash against Northampton.

His second half performance last night showed everyone his importance to the team, adding that bit of creativity which was lacking at Crewe on Saturday, but his manager knows all to well he can be as frustrating as he is scintillating.

Still there can be no denying his drilled 52nd minute winner came at a crucial time for the Robins as they move to just five points off the play-off places with games in hand over most of their rivals.

And after a lengthy spell on the sidelines after a knee operation, Roberts is relishing meeting his manager's challenge head on.

He said: "Who would not want a challenge like that?

"I never go into a game wanting to play bad.That is a challenge but I have had managers saying that to me through the years so another one is fine.

"I was delighted to get the nod for the game.

"I have had a difficult couple of months to be honest, with my knee injury, and the manager pulled me and said he was thinking about giving me a chance and did I want it.

"I stress to you I want to play football, I want to be at this club. Swindon Town is going in the right direction and I want to be a part of it.

"I have had to be patient as I have just had an operation. I have been out for five to six weeks and it is difficult because we know the history with my knee but I have had to bite my lip.

"How could I complain when the lads have been putting in performances like Nottingham Forest? I wouldn't have had a leg to stand on."

While Roberts' mazy dribble and powerful finish will take all the headlines, Town's defensive rearguard, especially debutant Pat Kanyuka, can also take huge credit from the deserved victory.

Skipper Hasney Aljofree led by example in the heart of the defence, until getting taken off to have six stitches in an eye wound, while Kanyuka showed maturity beyond his years to slot in alongside him, despite also taking a hefty whack on the head that left his needing stitches as well.

Jon-Paul McGovern carried on in his central midfield role to great effect while Malpas' decision to play Roberts instead of Michael Pook out wide turned out to be a match-winning decision.

Roberts said: "It was a massive win for us. We have had some decent games in recent weeks and tonight gives us a good boost of confidence.

"Overall it was a massive performance, especially by the defenders.

"Hasney and Patrick were fantastic, they proved they can put their head in where it hurts and it was a great result for the club.

"I said from day one, if we do our jobs silent and quietly we will be okay.

"We don't need to shout about things and scream from roof tops we need to do our job quietly and if we keep doing that we won't have a problem.

"We are not in a bad position so things are looking good and who would not want to be in this position?"

Malpas now ponders how to get his winger to produce on a similar level every week because he knows a fully firing Roberts is an exciting prospect.

He said: "Robbo got a bit of a roasting after Saturday, not because he played poorly but because he never does it for long enough.

"Tonight I thought he was average in the first half and excellent in the second half.

"I don't know if it is confidence or motivation, but we will try everything to try and get him to play more consistently even during games.

"He has to strive for that. There is no point in him being a hero today and a dumpling on Saturday.

"He has to do the same Saturday if not better. Everyone knows he has ability but he has to put a mentality to that.

"One game in a month does not mean you are a good player. Five or six good games in a month do."