Gary Roberts has been '˜average' since leaving Chesterfield for Pompey

Gary Roberts hasn't shown his full ability since leaving Chesterfield for Portsmouth.
Braintree Town vs Chesterfield - Sam Clucas congratulates Gary Roberts - Pic By James WilliamsonBraintree Town vs Chesterfield - Sam Clucas congratulates Gary Roberts - Pic By James Williamson
Braintree Town vs Chesterfield - Sam Clucas congratulates Gary Roberts - Pic By James Williamson

The midfielder is brutally honest about the form he showed last season at Pompey, having followed ex Spireites boss Paul Cook to Fratton Park.

But in his defence, Roberts was hampered by an injury suffered last September.

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The 32-year-old said: “I could have done better last season.

“As a midfielder you set yourself a goal target and I managed 10, but was disappointed with my own season. I should have scored a lot more goals and played a lot more games.

“All-in-all my stats were not too bad, but overall it was an average season for me. Maybe below average.

“It was disappointing, I like to think I can do a let better this season.

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“I worked my socks off for the team and if I’d been fit for longer periods would have done better.

“It was stop-start, stop-start, and coming back from my ankle I was never really right. I didn’t want an operation and it took time, getting momentum was a problem.

“Now I am fit and will do a lot better this season, without a doubt.

“I missed 18 games and if you can get more than 10 goals it is a half-decent season.”

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The ankle injury he sustained in a challenge with Barnet’s Sam Togwell had a big impact on the 2015/16 campaign for Roberts.

He said: “I initially got injured at Bognor in pre-season, although wasn’t too bad going into the campaign and was fit for the opener against Dagenham.

“Then I was caught against Barnet and knew it wasn’t right.

“From then on I was struggling, you are losing fitness and losing sharpness, I had to go to see two or three specialists.

“I think every player needs a run of games, if it is stop-start you are fighting a losing battle. I don’t like missing games, in the long run it is not good.

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“I am a fit lad and can get about, it’s just that the injuries I’ve had have been impact injuries from tackles.

“Now I’m looking forward to this season.”

Roberts made 89 appearances as a Spireite and scored 20 goals from midfield.