Cook lauds Pompey's '˜special' talent

Roberts served up an outstanding man-of-the-match performance as he put the Bees to the sword at Fratton Park.

The Blues’ talisman was the key to the 5-1 win as Paul Cook’s side moved up to second in the League Two table.

Roberts pulled the strings as his side returned to winning ways and kept up their unbeaten home record.

The 32-year-old scored his sixth goal of the season and created two others in a dominant performance.

And there could have been more for Roberts as he missed a second-half penalty.

Cook believes Roberts showed what he’s all about.

He said: ‘That’s what he is. That’s what he’s got.

‘We haven’t seen it enough here, but he’s got it.

‘The kid’s a special player. He always has and will be.

‘That’s why you sign him and why our fans love him.

‘That’s why you don’t get after him when things aren’t going well. He’s done that for me so many times.

‘His goal takes your breath away and that’s what the kid is about.’

Cook knows that, when it comes to playmakers, Pompey fans have seen some of the best in the business wearing their team’s colours.

But he feels Roberts is as effective as his predecessors at this level.

Cook said: ‘Our fans are used to seeing players of that ilk. They’ve had years of the Mersons and Sheringhams. They could list them.

‘Unfortunately since we came out of administration it’s been a rough wide.

‘We’re just trying to get back on the horse again.

‘That’s what Gary’s got. Gary can open any defence at this level. It’s what he’s about.’

– JORDAN CROSS