Liam Roberts mentally ready for Walsall challenge
Liam Roberts says his whirlwind journey at Walsall has made him mentally stronger as he bids to become the clubs number one goalkeeper.
The promising shot-stopper is set to start the new season as understudy to Mark Gillespie after recently agreeing terms on a new one-year deal.
Now with his eyes firmly set on the first-team, the deal marks a huge turnaround for Roberts who was actually released by former boss Dean Smith in 2014.
That decision was promptly over turned just a few months later though, with Smith opting to give the keeper another shot.
And the 22-year-old believes that experience, together with loan moves to Gresley and Chester, have made him mentally ready to be Saddlers no.1.
"It's been quite the road but it's taught me you have to keep pushing on," Roberts said.
"It's given me mental strength. The club have always shown a lot of faith in me.
"They gave me another chance, sent me out on loan and now I'm back I want to be pushing for the first team.
"Going out on loan was about playing men’s football. That was what I needed to toughen up.
"As a young kid, perhaps a couple of years ago, I wasn’t quite there mentally.
"I was inconsistent in my training and games. Now I feel mentally stronger and believe I am consistently doing the right things.
"I hope that will show on the pitch."
With the new League One season less than two weeks away, Roberts said the mood inside the Saddlers camp is a positive one.
"We are feeling good – there is a great team ethos which I think is brilliant," he said.
"We are excited for the season.
"Last summer we lost quite a few players.
"This year we have brought a few in but they have fitted in to the ethos of the club brilliantly and have even stamped their own personality on it.
"That is what we needed."
Roberts is also confident Walsall are in line for a successful campaign.
"There are always personal aims and there is always a team aim," he added.
"I think the possibilities are endless.
"If we set the bar high at the start of the season then we can’t fail.
"If we keep pushing, working hard and improving then the possibilities are endless."
