Millwall Goalkeeper Highlights Reason Behind Leeds Penalty Stop In FA Cup Win
Millwall Goalkeeper Highlights Reason Behind Leeds Penalty Stop In FA Cup Win
Blog Article
Liam Roberts credited the homework that goalkeeper coach Andy Marshall and analyst Dan Mcloone ahead of his penalty stop in Millwal’s 2-0 win at Leeds in the FA Cup on Saturday.
Femi Azeez scored twice to hand the Lions a surprise lead over the Championship league leaders, before a penalty decision against new signing Luke Cundle seemed set to help Leeds back into the game.
Pascal Struijk’s penalty was well placed in the bottom right corner, but Roberts got down brilliantly to tip it onto the post, just one of several big stops he made to protect his side’s two-goal cushion.
The win marks four consecutive victories for Millwall, who have lost just one of their last eight games in all competitions.
Roberts is yet to concede while playing for the Lions.
“It was an incredible win,” said Roberts.
“The lads dug in for the game. I am really proud of the boys and the lads who came in, Femi came back in and scored two.
“Wes Harding came in as well, so there was a real togetherness in the group. We banded together and now we are into the next round and we will see what happens.
“I am delighted. We’re always pushing and striving to be better. The lads in front of me are incredible, not just the back four but from the front. We start from the front and work our way backwards. It is a pleasure to be a part of this group.
“The penalty save is a credit to [goalkeeping coach] Andy Marshall and to [analyst] Dan Mcloone, we look before every single game, not just this one.
“I have gone with the way that we thought we were going to go and it has ended up being right, so thank you to them.”
It was only Roberts’ fourth start for Millwall in all competitions this season, coming in after first-choice stopper Lukas Jensen picked up an injury in their game against Luton last month.
Roberts said: “Lukas has been brilliant all year, he has done really well in every game he has played.
“My job is to support that. Everyone wants to play football but you have to put that personal side apart and park it up. I am there for Lukas whenever he needs me.
“Credit to the group, the coaching staff and the gaffer. There is a real togetherness and an ethos in the group that we do not want to be beaten, we want to keep this continuing.”
Roberts also thanked the 2,000 travelling fans at Elland Road for their support, with whom he could be seen celebrating after the final whistle.
“Incredible support,” said Roberts. “They were the twelfth man, absolutely outstanding. We all want to play football to win, when the whistle goes I am always over there with the fans and you cannot beat that winning feeling. You cannot replicate it anywhere else.
“I will take anywhere in the next round, it is nice to be in the hat again and we look forward to the draw and seeing who we get.”