IPSWICH Town midfielder Gary Roberts today vowed to win over the Portman Road boo-boys.The 24-year-old was booed when he came on to replace Gavin Williams after 75 minutes of Saturday's incident-packed 0-0 Coca-Cola Championship draw with Queens Park Rangers.
Elvin King
IPSWICH Town midfielder Gary Roberts today vowed to win over the Portman Road boo-boys.
The 24-year-old was booed when he came on to replace Gavin Williams after 75 minutes of Saturday's incident-packed 0-0 Coca-Cola Championship draw with Queens Park Rangers.
Depleted Town did not lose significant ground in the play-off race, which pleases Roberts. But what does upset him is the treatment he has received from Blues fans this season.
“It kills me,” he said.
“It gets me down, and it was not what I wanted to hear as I was waiting to go on.
“Fans obviously expect more from me, and this is what I will have to do to win them back over.
“My team mates agree that I have not enjoyed the best of years, but it has not been that bad.
“It hurts, but I must be strong and get through it.”
And Roberts revealed that his brief loan period at League One Crewe earlier this year has increased his determination to be a hit with the Blues.
He said: “It is where I came from, and I don't want to go back.
“It was an eye opener, and has shown me that I have everything I need at Ipswich.
“I have got to prove to the manager and fans that I am worth a place in the first team.
“I did not expect to get back in the side straight away, but I have kept my head down and worked hard and after a couple of injuries have sneaked back in.”
Signed full time from Accrington Stanley last year, Roberts was a big hit last season and has made 57 appearances and scored four goals.
Williams was back in the side for the first time since January and he was also the subject of some booing from the stands.
Roberts added: “Referees take a lot of flak, but Paul Armstrong did not have the best of games on Saturday with a Rangers player certainly not kicking the ball away when it appeared to cross the line.”
And looking ahead to Saturday's derby at Colchester, Roberts said: “We owe them one after last season's game at Layer Road when we had a good goal disallowed and they rubbed it in with their victory.
“They may be bottom, but they will raise their game ten per cent to 15pc, and we must not let our fans down.”
Danny Haynes played up front against Rangers and gave the type of display that suggests he will be a keen target for Premier League clubs in the summer.
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