Liam Roberts: I'm living the Walsall dream

The 23-year-old, who came through the youth ranks at the Banks’s Stadium, has been crucial to the Saddlers ever since forcing his way into the team last year.

Roberts became Walsall’s first choice goalkeeper midway through last season and went on to play a key role as Dean Keates’ side battled to stay in League One.

But it wasn’t until the summer he first got to see his name on the No.1 shirt following the departure of Mark Gillespie.

“To see my name on that No.1 jersey is one of the greatest days I have had,” Roberts said. “I’ve been at the club for a long time and put in a lot of hard work so to actually see it was massive.

“It’s what I wanted as a kid. It’s what I dreamt about.

“The gaffer has put a lot of trust in me and I really respect him for that.“

As long as I’m improving in every training session and every game, hopefully I will keep my shirt.

“I can’t guarantee that I’m not going to make mistakes. But I will certainly try my best to put in consistent performances.”

Roberts has made some outstanding late stops in his last two outings, with the glovesman making a double save against Shrewsbury before tipping a Sam Matthews free-kick on to the post in stoppage time at Bristol Rovers.

Both those saves came in matches Walsall dominated for long spells – with Roberts otherwise having little to do.

And the keeper revealed he keeps his concentration by continually talking to his team-mates.

“I try and talk all the way through,” the Walsall-born star said. “If you are commanding people in front of you, you are always involved in the game.

“If I am just standing there and watching the game, you can switch off.

“If I’m talking then I’m still interacting in the game and staying switched on.

“That’s the best way to stay focused I think.”