Huddersfield Town's Roberts: I'll be fitter and better next season

Jun 22 2009 by Dougie Thomson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

GARY ROBERTS looked forward to the start of pre-season training a week today and promised Town fans: “I’m going to be fitter, stronger and better next season.”

The 25-year Liverpudlian has been a big hit since signing from Ipswich for a reported £250,000 a year ago, topping the club scoring chart with 11 and landing both the players’ and fans’ player of the year awards.

As well as scoring more goals, he made more appearances than any other player, figuring in 47 of the 50 games, with the three he missed down to suspension.

It was the busiest season yet for the former Accrington winger, and he believes that told towards the end.

“I faded a little bit, and that was a downside,” admitted the man who first caught the eye playing for Welsh minnows Bangor City and Welshpool. “I’ve never played so many matches in a season, and the intensity of both training and games caught up with me, because I was feeling jaded towards the end.

“I know the answer is to improve my fitness, and that will be the aim in pre-season, which is going to be crucial.

“Having already experienced Lee Clark’s training sessions during the season, I know we’re in for some hard work, but it will stand us in good stead.

“It’s vital to lay a platform for the season, and there’s no other way of doing that than by putting in the work before it starts.