Walsall boss Darrell Clarke: Liam Roberts has the tools to be a top goalkeeper
Saddlers manager Darrell Clarke has heaped praise on goalkeeper Liam Roberts, backing him to become a 'top goalkeeper' for the club.
The 24-year-old, who came through the youth ranks at the Banks's Stadium, signed a 'long-term' contract extension with Walsall this week.
He started the season as the number one, but was pushed out of the team by Jack Rose in October.
Now, after returning to the team and picking up two clean sheets in three games, Clarke has backed his shot stopper to continue his development at the club.
"Liam Roberts has all the tools to be a top, top goalkeeper," he said.
"We're looking for that consistency in his game.
"I gave him a bit of a rest and a re-charge for a few games, because I think he needed that.
"Sometimes players need that.
"But he's responded fantastic, he's a great lad to work with.
"There's a lot of managers up and down the country that would like Liam Roberts in their goal.
"When a player like Liam has been at a club for so long, what you find is a lot of people just want to jump on the negatives.
"Not the positives of what he actually brings.
"There's managers that come into my office after their game and say 'I like your 'keeper.'
"There's loads that have been saying that.
"Sometimes you have to appreciate what we've got.
"He wanted to commit his future to us and I think he's a very good asset for ourselves."
Meanwhile, Clarke admitted his side had turned a 'little bit of a corner' with recent results.
After six league losses in a row, and a painful 2-2 home draw with non-league Darlington in the FA Cup, Walsall have picked up some form.
A 6-0 thrashing of Forest Green Rovers was followed up with a 2-1 league win over Cambridge.
The Saddlers made it three on the spin against Darlington in the FA Cup replay, with a narrow 1-0 win, and Clarke says the mood in the camp has improved.
"There's no better place to be than a training ground environment when you're winning football games," he added.
"Also when you're not on runs, there's a siege mentality.
"Obviously the boys gain a bit of confidence when they're on good runs but we had four wins on the spin in September and then all of a sudden we had the disastrous October.
"Some of the performances warranted more points but then you have to manage a different scenario where confidence is low.
"We've managed to turn a little bit of a corner with the last three wins."
