Marc Roberts hasn’t lived up to expectations since his arrival at the club, but his goal at the weekend was at least one positive for the defender.
His equalising goal in the first half against the Blades helped us get a crucial three points. However, our no.4 is well aware he needs to do a lot more to justify his £3.5m price tag. He was quoted by the Birmingham Mail as saying:
“It’s been an up and down season for myself. I have not hit the heights I have in the past years or what I would like to have done coming here. I am disappointed in myself for that.”
“I have sat out of the team and watched the team do ever so well. It’s a bit late I know but the chance I have got now I need to show the fans what I am as a player.”
On Twitter, fans were happy that the 27-year-old has finally begun to show some good form:
Honest from @Robbo_4 difficult season for many of the blues summer signings.
Will be different with a full pres-season under Monk leadership where the true Marc Roberts will surface#BCFC #KRO #SOTV #garrymonkbluenwhitearmy— Stu KRO 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧 (@stuartroberts18) April 24, 2018
Let’s give a big round of applause for Marc Roberts. He scored his first goal for Blues and he’s back in the starting XI with a chance to show how good he is. Well done fella. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 #BCFC
— Swaino (@Swaino) April 21, 2018
Happy for Roberts, he has taken a lot of stick, glad he got such a critical goal – his first for the club. #BCFC #KRO https://t.co/hDjw3yGjb8
— Oliver Newman (@afanperspective) April 21, 2018
Glad Roberts scored today for the club as he’s been getting a lot of stick all season, he deserves that 👏🏻 #bcfc pic.twitter.com/MUCwJmCfX9
— Kian Lennon (@lennonkian_) April 21, 2018
I thought Marc Roberts was outstanding today… Smashed the net, made one clearance that looked like it was destined to be scored and numerous other challenges. He gets a lot of stick but I thought he stepped up. Both he and Morrison played well together today #bcfc
— Goulding (@Goulding_23) April 21, 2018
Maghoma the main man for me today, not just for the great goal, but respect for the much maligned Roberts for his performance #bcfc
— Adrian Robson (@gleghorn) April 21, 2018
Always rated Marc Roberts 👀 Harlee who #BCFC
— Chris Royston (@MrBrightside_32) April 21, 2018
I'm not going to lie, I was fearful at 1-0 down but the way the team and St Andrew's came back for that win today was hugely impressive. Pleased for Roberts and great to see Maghoma finish so clinically. #bcfc #KRO
— Brian Dick (@briandick) April 21, 2018
Verdict:
Roberts’s goal certainly helped the team geta a vital win, and that has to be commended. Yet, his form this season has been a massive disappointment, and he has freely admitted himself that things haven’t been good enough.
The centre-back has suffered from a crisis of confidence, like a lot of his teammates, and he is unrecognisable from the player that performed so well for Barnsley.
Whether he can fully recover his form, we will have to see. If we stay up, and Garry Monk remains in charge, I’m sure we’ll see a much better player next campaign.