Liam Roberts: 'I strive to be the best I can for Mansfield Town'
Liam Roberts says he still has work to do to improve his game as Mansfield Town’s number one.
The goalkeeper earned plenty of praise from Nigel Clough after his efforts between the sticks against Blackpool. Roberts made some important saves at Bloomfield Road to keep Stags alive in the first half, before they took control after the break.
Speaking during Stags’ midweek press conference, Roberts admitted he was disappointed with the Blackpool goal he conceded but overall, he is happy with how things are going so far this season.
“I’m pleased with my performances, to be fair. I think the start of the season was a bit hit-and-miss, coming out against Luton and having to get stitches. I hadn’t really got into training then, it was a bit hit-and-miss with pre-season, coming in and coming out but I feel like I’m finding a bit of consistency now as the games go on.
“I feel like everything is clicking again now, which is good. So hopefully we can stay consistent and keep working hard.”
The 31-year-old was voted the 2025/26 Chad Readers’ Player of the Year, following his impressive debut season with Mansfield Town.
Despite Stags’ six-game unbeaten run, Roberts has stressed he still has work to do to improve his personal game. The shot-stopper has conceded ten goals in League One so far this season and kept two clean sheets.
“I’ve still got to work on everything. I really appreciate the positive feedback and I strive to be the best that I possibly can be, whenever I can be,” Roberts continued.
“I come in, I do the right things, make sure that I’m leading the group and do everything I can right on the pitch in training. But for me, I just have to keep getting better, that’s my mindset. As soon as you rest on your laurels and think, ‘I’ve done all right here’, that’s when the game passes you by.
“I’ve still got to work on distribution, crossing, shot-stopping, I’ve still got to do it all. I haven’t completed the game – I want to be better for the group and that’s the culture we strive to have here.”
Mansfield Town have a strong squad this season with plenty of depth, so there’s stiff competition to claim one of the spots in the starting 11 each week. While Roberts strives to be on top of his game to keep hold of the goalkeeper shirt, he said every player equally needs to be in top form to keep their place.
“It’s not just my position but the whole squad, we have such a good squad now. Even when Harry [Lewis] came in and showed what he’s about, especially against Bradford. He’s a credit to himself, he’s been ready when he’s been called upon.
“But we have such a competition for places now in the whole squad, it’s a good time to be involved at Mansfield and you know that when you’re playing, you have to take your chance.”