Walsall boss Darrell Clarke focusing on football this Christmas
Walsall manager Darrell Clarke is ready to 'bin off' Christmas as he prepares his side for the run of festive fixtures.
The Saddlers face five league games in 14 days from through Christmas and New Year at a time when every club faces fixture congestion.
But for Clarke this time of year is all about football as the 41-year-old looks to set his side's focus on the games at hand.
"There's no Christmas, bin Christmas off," he said.
"I'm surprised they haven't put another game in to be honest with you.
"Just write it off, we're working at Christmas.
"That's what it is, I enjoy the Christmas games.
"But for us our focus is to be working to climb the table, so you can have my turkey."
Goalkeeper Liam Roberts echoed his manager's thought's on the holiday season but believes a balance needs to be struck between spending time with family and football.
“Can’t beat Christmas," he said.
"As a footballer you play a lot of games over the holiday so it’s about doing things right off the pitch and on the pitch.
"Make sure we recover and make sure we’re ready to go for every game.
“You try and get some time with your family, that’s important away from football.
"But you have to make sure you do everything right off the pitch.
"If you take care of everything off the pitch then everything on the pitch will take care of itself, then you haven’t got an excuse then."
Meanwhile, in Roberts' first media interview since since a contract extension with the club, the shot stopper explained his delight at the confidence shown in him.
“I’m over the moon," he added.
"The gaffer and the coaching staff have installed a lot of confidence in me.
"I’ve been at the club for many years.
"I just need to continue improving and stay consistent.
“He’s (Darrell Clarke) a great guy.
"He understands what I’ve been through in the past, he’s been brilliant with me and I haven’t got a bad word to say about him or the coaching staff.
"He’s a family man as well and when he’s there, you know what he wants out of you.
"I never want him to give regards, I never want him to say well done, I’ll just get on with what I need to do and keep the same mentality."
