Potter praises McBurnie as his goal drought is ended
GRAHAM Potter believes Oli McBurnie will benefit as a player and a person after ending his goal drought to help Swansea City sink Reading at the Liberty Stadium.
McBurnie had not scored since the win over Millwall prior to the first international break of the season, a dry spell taking in eight games.
But he ended his wait in fine style with a brace against Paul Clement’s Royals.
And manager Potter praised the selfless manner in which McBurnie had continued to put the team before himself as he waited to find the net.
“He’s an unselfish guy who isn’t bothered as long as the team wins and I think he’s contributed with assists,” he said after seeing McBurnie take his tally for the season to six. “He’s had a good week during a period where he’s probably learned a bit. He’ll be a better player and person for it.”
McBurnie revealed earlier this week that he and Potter had spoken of lifestyle changes the striker could make in order to cope with the physical demands of his first full season of Championship football.
And, while reluctant to discuss the specifics, Potter hopes the alterations will help the 22-year-old continue to progress.
“The general theme of the conver- sation was that this is his first season in a Championship season with full responsibility, and with international football and the criticism from Scotland and a few bad results here, things can become difficult,” said Potter.
“He’s a young guy who’s finding his way in his career and in the world and he needs some help so it was just to make him aware of that.”
The win meant Swansea recorded back-to-back wins for the first time since the opening week of the season, as they backed up the midweek triumph over Blackburn.
The result did not come without alarms - particularly during a second half where Reading were much improved - but the former Ostersunds boss admits the overall trend is currently heading in the right direction.
“It’s great and I’m really pleased for the players. You have to survive some moments in any game but I thought we attacked well and tried to limit them,” he said.
“In the second-half it became a bit more open and we probably didn’t play as well, but they changed their system and we had to come to terms with that. Overall I’m delighted to come away with six points and backto-back wins and another clean sheet. It’s great for the supporters to have back-to-back wins.”