Routledge remembers
SWANSEA boss Steve Cooper insists Wayne Routledge is going nowhere after the veteran winger gained some personal FA Cup revenge.
The 36-year-old scored the opener as the Swans edged past League Two Stevenage – 10 years and one day after he had been part of the Newcastle side embarrassed on the same ground. Routledge, who has been at the Liberty Stadium for 10 years now, has been given limited chances of late, but Cooper cannot imagine ever being without him.
He said: “I’ve talked about Wayne on numerous occasions, he’s a remarkable guy who is so well-liked and valued. “He’s brilliant to have around and he can still play.
“If we need to start him in games he will be ready.
“Wayne could have played anywhere today and I’m sure there was some stat somewhere from 10 years ago!
“We are so fond of him, he’s such a good guy and player. He has a big heart, he’s a big role model. He’s there when I need him.
“I don’t want to lose Wayne now, he’s part of the fabric and I can’t imagine not coming into training and seeing him. He’s been a proper player for the club.”
Routledge scored after just seven minutes, nodding in from Yan Dhanda’s cross despite being the smallest player on the pitch.
He celebrated by raising a shirt in the air, paying tribute to former Swansea employee Nick Eames – father of kitman Mike – who died last week.
The Championship highflyers added a second as Viktor Gyokeres nabbed his first goal for the club five minutes into the second half with another header, from a Jordon Garrick cross.
Stevenage, bottom of League Two, should have pulled one back nine minutes from time as Gyokeres handled in the area. But keeper Freddie Woodman made a brilliant stop to foil debutant Luke Norris from the penalty spot.
Boro boss Alex Revell said: “We got the penalty at a great time and if we had scored it things might have been different.
“It was a fantastic save. Luke is disappointed as he wanted to score in his first game. It would have set up a fantastic finish.
“But we need to realise it was a good performance.”
STEVENAGE: Cumming 6; James-wildin 7, Vancooten 6, Cuthbert 6, Coker 6; Smith 6 ( Vincelot 77), Lines 6 ( Oteh 63, 6), Read 6, Pett 6 ( Norris 46, 5); Carter 6, Newton 6 (Aitchison 63, 6). Unused Subs: Johnson, Prosser, Marsh, List, Marshall. SWANSEA: Woodman 7; Naughton 6, Cabango 6, Evans 6 (Bidwell 73, 6), Manning 6; Garrick 7 (Cooper 84), Byers 7, Fulton 6 (Smith 46, 7), Dhanda 7; Routledge 7 (Cullen 65, 6), Gyokeres 7. Unused Subs: Webb, Guehi, Grimes, Lowe, Williams. MAN OF THE MATCH: Yan Dhanda. Constant threat down Swansea’s left and delivered the cross for the opener. REFEREE: Michael Salisbury 7.