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Roberts Out to Grab Opportunity With Both Hands
Tuesday, 16th Jul 2019 06:00

Forward Jordan Roberts says he’s working hard in pre-season to ensure he can take his opportunity if and when it comes once the Blues' League One campaign gets under way.

Roberts, 25, was signed on a free transfer by former manager Paul Hurst after leaving Crawley last summer but found his opportunities limited during the ex-Shrewsbury boss’s short time in charge.

Paul Lambert used him as his number nine during the opening couple of months of his spell with the Blues but after Will Keane and Collin Quaner were signed on loan in January, Roberts was sent out on loan to Lincoln in League Two.

In total, the Watford-born wideman or striker has made six starts and six sub appearances for the Blues, while he made only five appearances from the bench as the Imps secured promotion to League One by topping League Two.

He returned to Playford Road at the start of pre-season and says he's working hard ahead of the campaign proper.

“For me, [the aim is] to try and contribute as much as possible, whether that’s assists or goals and leave all I can on the pitch, and it’s down to working hard in training in the week. I want to get my opportunity out there,” he said.

“Whether it’s coming on as a substitute or starting a game I want to try and grab it with both hands.”

Roberts is pleased to be back with the Blues after his six-month stint with Lincoln: “Coming back here, it’s always a good thing being back round the boys again.

“I need to play my part in the team as much as everyone else. I’m willing to do that and give my all for the club, so when I get my opportunity I’m going to try and take it.


“Obviously the feeling last year with Lincoln getting promotion is something that every player should aspire to have and want, and I want that again this year and I’m going to give it my all to try and get that.”

Roberts played at centre-forward at Paderborn, where he closed down the keeper to grab Town’s first goal, then started wide on the left in the 45-minute Interwetten Cup game against SV Meppen. He says he has no preference where he plays so long as he is involved.

“I’ve had this question a few times,” he said. “Anywhere in an attacking role, to be fair, because I think the manager gives us a lot of flexibility down the middle and out wide, whether that’s switching over or playing down the middle, so there’s always a time in the game when you find yourself down the middle or out wide right or out wide left.

“So for me, anywhere up there I don’t mind as long as I can contribute as much as possible and play as many games and get as many games under my belt.”

Reflecting on the German training camp which the squad flew back from yesterday, he added: “It’s been good, the boys have been together pretty much for the whole of the 10 days, it’s been good to be together.

“There’s been new faces in the building, so everyone’s gelling together and I think it was a perfect time for everyone to come away and get their heads down.

“But we’ll go back to Ipswich now, get our heads down again and play the remainder of the pre-season.”

As well as the work on the training field there was a social side to the trip as manager Lambert sought to forge bonds within the squad.

“I think there’s always got to be a balance between the work you do on the training pitch and on the pitch and then the time you have outside of football, which we did with paintball, some of the boys did a few other activities like bike rides, which was good to take your mind off things,” Roberts continued.

“But when all the boys go out there on the training pitch everyone gives their all, and that’s the time to do it, in pre-season when everyone wants to get fit.”

Roberts says the squad have met and talked about last season’s disastrous relegation campaign, which they hope to put firmly behind them as they look to bounce back into the Championship at the first attempt.

“I’d say the lads have come back feeling fresh,” Roberts reflected. “It’s never nice getting relegated from a league but we’ve had meetings, we’ve spoken with the captain and people at the club and for us now it’s to go out there take the shackles off and just go for it because at the end of the day we’ve got to get ourselves back into the league where we deserve to be. It’s down to us and what we need to do and we’ve got to take full responsibility for that.”

Pre-season this year has involved a lot less running and a lot more ballwork than it did last summer.

“I think it’s been tailored very well for specific players,” Roberts said. “There are players who have played a lot of games over the last year and then there are players who have just come back from injuries.

“The staff and the physios have worked well with the injured lads and the lads that have played a lot of games and it’s been tailored to everyone’s ability and what they need to do specifically. It’s been good.”

Like other members of the squad, Roberts is in no doubt about the aim once the season gets under way, a swift return to the Championship.

“There’s nothing else that crosses the boys’ mind apart from that we need to get promoted,” he insisted. “That’s it - get the club back where it needs to be.

“The fans know that, we know that, everyone at the training ground and at the stadium know that, so it’s down to us.

“We’re in a good place now, the gaffer’s mentioned it a few times that everyone’s got to come together and they have to come together. It’s for us now to go out there and show how much we want it and take out there for the first game of the season.”


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ArnieM added 06:46 - Jul 16
Let's get that winning mentality back again Town, starting on Friday at the Col Utd friendly.
7

lightingblue added 06:50 - Jul 16
To be honest, there are a few players who need to take this opportunity. Unfortunately with football, once you miss the opportunity you find yourself on a downward slope and falling down the leagues
1

Marcus added 06:58 - Jul 16
It's a pity there's so much impatience in the game. Players get discarded because they're not ready to step up rather than slowly build their way into the first team. We've let too many gems escape recently. The lack of a decent reserve league has resulted in the increased need to use loans. Now we're at a lower level we can take advantage of this, hopefully without overdoing it again. At the same time we should have more room for blooding our own youngsters.
3

Knightsy added 07:18 - Jul 16
Good Attitude, from Roberts however I don't see him PL plans for this coming season.
1

SaigonTractor added 07:30 - Jul 16
Roberts seems to be doing a lot of press this pre-season.

Think he might be involved more than we expect this season. Lambert liked him when he was our makeshift striker and he has a good attitude. Hopefully he can surprise us all.

3

chorltonskylineblue added 07:35 - Jul 16
Why has he got two massive holes in his sock? Are budgets that bad in League One?
1

ArnieM added 08:00 - Jul 16
Think I heard somewhere last season that some players deliberately cut their socks as they are too tight around the calf, those reducing blow flow and causing cramp.
0

chepstowblue added 08:04 - Jul 16
Played as a lone striker last season and I cant remember anybody in an Ipswich shirt less equipped to do it.Left many games last season baffled as to his inclusion and unable to work out what he brings to the side. Amazed he's still with us and doubly amazed that he's in the starting frame. Love to be proved wrong but there's no chance of that !
0

runningout added 08:11 - Jul 16
Like so many needs composure and penalty practice. With that your nearly there.
0

Barty added 08:19 - Jul 16
Rather he grabbed it with both feet.
0

meekreech added 08:38 - Jul 16
Don't hold your breath waiting for him to come good. Can't sell as no value, can't give away as nobody wants him and can't afford to pay him off ! Shows his value if Lincoln didn't rate him and they were in league 2 !
4

Radlett_blue added 08:56 - Jul 16
Roberts might not be the greatest player to have pulled on the blue shirt, but he is a real trier and that may well be the sort of attitude we will need to get out of this league.
5

WhoisJimmyJuan added 09:18 - Jul 16
I totally agree Radlett. I'm not sure he is actually good enough but I like this player and his attitude. Really determined to be a better player and gives it his all. Hope he becomes a success for us.
3

herfie added 09:49 - Jul 16
Top marks for attitude and determination. Getting both individuals' and collective mentality right has to be the foundation upon which everything else gets built upon. Flushing the residue of last season's disappointments out of the tank not that easy; but optimism and positive attitudes required to provide the impetus for a solid start. New season, new start.
2

RobbieBobson added 10:01 - Jul 16
Critical that we get off to a good start at Burton
1

TimmyH added 11:04 - Jul 16
Could be one of the duffest signings made last season and he's still here...wish him all the best for the coming season but not expecting him to be a regular starter if at all.
1

lukefeveyear added 11:17 - Jul 16
I do see Roberts as a more of a number 10 role or a winger.
0

Kingfisher49 added 11:41 - Jul 16
Whilst seeing Jordan Roberts putting in a determined bid to get a shirt for the game at Burton, I feel a new signing or a loan deal for either Darryl Murphy or David Nugent would give ITFC more chance of a swift return to the Championship.
4

runningout added 12:02 - Jul 16
Nugent always seems hungry for a game and goals. The likes of Jordan Roberts (Not Just him) could do with same attitude. Like our manager he is saying all the right things (as he did at Stoke) Hope they realise League 1 will be blooming tricky. The team Roberts couldn't get a game at on loan (Lincoln) will be a dark horses I reckon. Very good coaching team there. As are ours I might say!
1

Dolphinblue added 12:43 - Jul 16
Yeah..dont wont to be continually negative but just do not think he is good enough....top marks for attitude though and hope he proves me wrong.
1

ChrisFelix added 13:54 - Jul 16
I may be proved wrong but this bloke is not good enough to score /create the goals to get us out of this league. Let's hope he can be used as part of a deal to bring in a defender badly needed
1

Kingfisher49 added 16:17 - Jul 16
Just to update my earlier post, it appears David Nugent is in advanced talks to join Preston North End so it seems that option has gone.
-1

hampstead_blue added 17:19 - Jul 16
I love this guy's attitude.
He is always positive. The Reading game showed what he could do.

Problem is that I think he's way above his natural level. Can't knock what's in-between his ears.
0

TractorRoyNo1 added 17:21 - Jul 16
Sadly even with both hands he would probably miss it cows ar$e and banjo spring to mind. If we want promotion we need proper strikers.
0

soopercooper added 08:15 - Jul 17
Sorry rubbish get rid, end of..
0


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