Roberts has belief he can reach the top
Tyler Roberts has belief in his ability to make it to the top – and also predicts big things coming for his loan club.
The Welsh prospect has flourished with Shrewsbury Town, savouring his first consistent taste of men's football where he has scored four and assisted four in 10 games.
He has drawn praise from Town boss Paul Hurst, who stated last week he would be disappointed if Roberts didn't make it to the top level.
And the 18-year-old, who didn't start for Oxford United in League One during a loan spell before Christmas, has confidence in his own ability.
"It's a positive thing to hear, isn't it," said the West Brom loanee. "When a gaffer likes you it gives you confidence and it's good to know you're in a team where they like the way you play and you can influence the team.
"Yes I have belief in myself (to play at the highest level). To keep on the track that I'm on as long as I keep my head down and my feet on the floor then I believe I can get there."
Roberts has made plenty at The Hawthorns sit up and take note of his progress at Greenhous Meadow, not least Baggies under-23s boss Darren Moore.
The Walsall-based attacker has experienced life in the first-team squad at West Brom, training with Tony Pulis's first team, where he went out on their summer pre-season tour to the Netherlands.
Roberts made his Premier League debut on the final day of last season as a substitute against Liverpool.
After that brief appearance, Pulis said that Roberts needs to work harder as a player when he doesn't have the ball, something that Hurst has also cited.
But the Albion chief said "I think he could be a top player."
Roberts completed just his second 90 minutes for Town in the disappointing 2-1 reversal at Port Vale on Friday night, but he is certain his loan side have enough to stage of relegation.
"When I came in I was shocked that this team was in the relegation zone with the players that we've got," he added.
"In my first weeks of training it was kind of like 'what are we doing down here?'.
"It's definitely picked up and I think we'll stay up this season and as for next season you never know what this club could do.
"There's definitely bigger things coming for the club."`
