Roberts To Get Taste Of The Big Time

Nottingham Forest manager Colin Calderwood wants youngster Dale Roberts to sample the big game atmosphere before he sees League 1 action and is set to throw the 20 year old keeper in at the deep end, in the Brian Clough Trophy game at Pride Park tonight.

Roberts looks set to be Paul Smith’s understudy this season and is short of fist team experience. It makes good sense to play him in a high pressure local derby, where the result is not as important as a League game, even though there is a trophy at stake as well as local bragging rights for the East Midlands.

This is as good a sign as the fans will get that the club will look no further than Roberts for a new keeper. Personally, I’d have preferred someone with a bit more experience as understudy, but if Roberts is to be the man, then he needs to get some games under his belt. There will be a heated atmosphere for the lad to contend with tonight and he will need to be on his toes to keep the crowd out of his mind and concentrate on the game. This will be a stern test for him, but one that could stand him in good stead for the future. Good luck to him.