Roberts’ self-belief never once wavered

The 24-year-old endured a difficult end to the 2018/19 campaign – with the glovesman dropped to the bench for the final four games of the season.

It was the first time the Walsall-born shot-stopper had been out the side since making the number one jersey his own.

But Roberts has made an excellent start to the new campaign, with the keeper having made a number of impressive stops in Walsall’s six games so far.

And the keeper believes a mixture of hard work and having confidence in his own ability has got him back on track.

“Coming out of the side last season was really tough for me,” Roberts admitted.

“It was the first time I had been in that position in my career. But I knew I hadn’t performed to the standards I’d set for myself.

“I knew I had to knuckle down. I reported back for training early.

“And I made sure I worked on my weaknesses, I knew I had to get fitter, faster, stronger.

“I did everything I possibly could in the off season to make sure I was ready.

“It was tough but I knew if I worked hard things would change.

“I kept hold of that self-belief, self-belief gets you through anything.”

Roberts is being kept on his toes in the battle to be Walsall number one by Southampton loanee Jack Rose.

The glovesman played down his impressive recent stops by saying: “That’s what I’m in the team to do.”

But he does now feel full of confidence.

And he believes that confidence is spreading throughout the team because Darrell Clarke has put together a squad where everyone has to fight for their place.

“I’m full of confidence,” Roberts continued.

“And it helps that I’ve got a great set of lads in front of me.

“Even the lads that aren’t in the squad, everyone is fighting for places.

“There’s big competition at the club and that can only improve you.

“You have to have that desire to want to play and I always want to be playing, I don’t want to be where I was last year.

“To be in this team you have to strive and have that desire to be the best you can be.”