Dobbie: We're So Much Better Than Last Season

Stephen Dobbie says this season's squad is so much better than last season's as we continue our push for promotion to the Premier League.

It's been said many times how much more attacking-minded the team is this year, compared to a far more defensive approach that Paulo Sousa adopted in the previous Championship campaign.

Dobbie admitted that last year's team probably wouldn't have come back to beat Middlesbrough 4-3 on Saturday after being down 3-1, and it's achievements like that which show the difference in quality this year compared to last.

The Scottish striker has had to be patient since he joined Swansea City in the Summer of 2009, as he has struggled to earn himself a regular first team place. Paulo Sousa wasn't a fan of him as he loaned him out to Blackpool where he helped them to win promotion to the Premier League - via the play-offs.

Dobbie isn't suited to the lone striker role as he has found it difficult to perform well whenever he has played there. He looks far more of a threat when he has support up front, and maybe Rodgers change his attacking formation slightly for the season run-in as he was pleased with Dobbie and Beattie's link up play on Saturday.

Dobbie said:

'I think we've progressed as a team this year,'

'Obviously the gaffer has brought in a few players of his own, put his own stamp on the actual team from last year.

'And I think attacking wise we're so much better.

'I don't think we would have come back last year from 3-1 down - but it shows you the kind of boys we've got in the dressing room.'

Rodgers said about Dobbie:

'When you see what Stephen did when he came on at Middlesbrough and at Barnsley a few weeks ago — that's why I kept him here,'

'That's why I gave him a new contract at the start of the season, because he has the ability to score goals and create goals.

'I have said to him that sometimes he is frustrating.

'He does terrifically in training and then you stick him on in a game hoping he can have an influence and it doesn't quite happen for him.

'But he linked up with Craig really well at Middlesbrough. We were a real threat going forward when they were together.'

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