Roberts looking to build

One of the very few bright spots from Tuesday’s defeat against Port Vale, was the re-introduction of young defender Kory Roberts into the first-team. Roberts was handed his chance after Eoghan O’Connell’s suspension and impressed with some impressive challenges and composure on the ball.

With Jon Whitney favouring the 5-3-2 formation going into pre-season, Roberts could cement himself as mainstay of one of the three centre-halfs with another impressive performance against MK Dons.

Speaking to the Official Walsall FC website

Roberts said: “Other than the result, I thought the game went well and I had a good game,” he said.

“It was disappointing about the result but it was a good experience to be back with the first-team, playing at a high-tempo. To be back felt good.”

Roberts made his debut in the New Year’s Eve clash against Oxford and the Port Vale game was his third appearance of the season. The young defender has been pleasantly surprised about his involvement with the first team this season.

“I didn`t expect to break into the first-team in my first year,” he commented. “I`ve come in and I think I`ve done well.

“I`ve been playing with the reserve team, we won our league, and I was captain of that so it`s gone well this year.’

2017/18 will certainly see Roberts feature more in the first team and it’s encouraging to have a ready made replacement available in the squad.