Liam Roberts says The Saddlers can take the confidence built from our 1-0 win over Bury on Saturday into tomorrow night’s game at Oldham Athletic (7.45pm kick-off).
The Saddlers’ stopper kept a clean sheet as we took our first points of April last weekend, with a late own-goal proving decisive in getting manager Dean Keates his first win as Saddlers boss.
Roberts made his 23rd appearance of the season for the First Team in that game as The Saddlers took a first win - and clean sheet - since the 3-0 victory over Southend United on March 3rd.
And having got back to winning ways, the young keeper wants to see the team use the spring in their step to get a similar result at Oldham tomorrow.
“Saturday wasn’t a bad performance - it was about getting three points and that gives us confidence going into tomorrow - especially with the clean sheet as well,” said Roberts.
“We needed the three points more than the performance, and we got that. The lads came in on Monday and there seems to be a bit of a spring in their step around the place. We can take that confidence into tomorrow night.
“It’s exactly the same position (as Saturday’s game). They’re below us and if we beat them we can go further than that.
“This is a game in hand (on some teams below) as well so it could take us eight points away from (the bottom four). We just need to concentrate on this game and hopefully get three points from it.
“We’ll take every game as it comes and try to get as many wins as we can under our belt. Saturday was massive for that, which helps us take confidence into the next game.”
Roberts is enjoying life under new manager Keates, as well as new Goalkeeping Coach Steve Hale, who was brought into the club to replace Neil Cutler on his departure to West Bromwich Albion earlier this year.
“Dean is brilliant - he’s a local lad, the same as me,” said Walsall-born Roberts. “He just wants everyone to work hard as a group.
“He’s done unbelievably for the club as a player and I know he'll do well in his managerial career as well at the club.
“Steve is (also) a really good guy. He’s different to Cuts as every coach is different but he’s helping me progress forward.
“He’s given me certain areas to improve on and I can only thank him for that.”
Academy graduate Roberts has broken into the First Team this season, having made one appearance previously in 2016, and while pleased with that, knows there is plenty of work ahead of him.
“It’s been a good season for me personally,” said Roberts.
“When you get a good run of games under your belt, you know what to expect from games, and to go in and go and enjoy it.
“That’s what goalkeeping is - it’s all about confidence. At the minute I feel like I’ve got it.
"I’ve just got to keep doing what I’m doing and hopefully improve. It’s just about consistency and confidence now."