Source: FOOTYMAD
Gareth Roberts - I hope Doncaster keep hold of Sean O'Driscoll
Reliable left-back Gareth Roberts may have left Doncaster Rovers for pastures new, but sincerely hopes for the club's sake they can keep hold of their most prized asset sNamely talented boss Sean O'Driscoll, whose managerial star is shining radiantly following three scintillating campaigns at the Keepmoat Stadium.Overtures arrived earlier this year from Premiership strugglers Burnley and while the top-flight ultimately never called on that occasion for the quietly-soften Midlander, most seasoned footballing observers feel it's a case of when, not if, he moves onto bigger and better thingsOne man who won't be continuing his journey with O'Driscoll is out-of-contract defender Roberts, who will put pen-to-paper on a two-year deal with Championship rivals Derby County on June 1 after much soul-searching.A move to a genuine second-tier sleeping giant in the Rams was simply too good a proposition for the Wrexham-born ace to turn down - who in terms of footballing years is at the advanced stages of his career at 32.But despite taking the plunge with the Pride Park outfit, Roberts, a model of consistency in arguably his best campaign in a Rovers shirt last term, will forever look back with fondness on his time in South Yorkshire and be genuinely indebted to the club and his development under the tutelage of O'Driscoll.Roberts, actually signed by former Rovers boss David Penney in the summer of 2006 when he moved across from Tranmere Rovers, said: "I had a brilliant time at Doncaster and I'll always remember it."It is a big decision to leave because they wanted me to stay. I had a lot of discussions with Sean, but it was a big move I wanted to take."It is a difficult decision to move on, but joining a big club like Derby is great chance for me."I'm sure Doncaster can still prosper. I think there's so much more to come from the manager there and he's massive to the club. Obviously, I hope he stays, but for him, he might go onto bigger and better things in his career and he's such a great manager."He's helped me a lot and I hope for Doncaster's sake, he stays there."Roberts heads to Derby on the back of a top-notch campaign with Rovers, when he was a reassuring presence patrolling the left-hand side of defence, while lending his weight to supplement the attack when the opportunity arose.Goal bonuses arrived in the shape of three important strikes - a positive windfall in the career of the former Wales international - but it was his consistency which curried the most favour with fans and team-mates alike, testimony to this being that James Chambers was the only outfield player to start more Championship games than him.Roberts, who also donned the captain's armband on occasions in the absence of the injured Brian Stock, said: "We had a good first season in the Championship, but I'd say last season was even better and with a bit of luck, we could have been where Blackpool are."Quite a few of the individual players stood out. Billy (Sharp) did well, as did Copps (James Coppinger), John Oster and the likes of Neil Sullivan and his talking at the back and contribution to the defence was massive."Personally, I really enjoyed the season. I managed to score a few goals and we got a few good results."If I had to pick one game that stood out for me, it was the Peterborough one, really. We scrapped and scrapped for that and with me also scoring a good goal, that one stands out as we went a goal down and then fought back to win 2-1 at the end."It was a really good win for us. In terms of the best goals of my career, I would say it's up there, although I wouldn't say it was my best!"Having played over 400 league games for just two league clubs in Tranmere and Rovers in his long professional career, change is something that has been a rarity for Roberts, who joins Derby on a Bosman free transfer.But he does have the luxury of a few familiar faces at County in the shape of former Rovers talisman midfielder Paul Green, who headed to the East Midlands two years ago, one-time Wales team-mate Robbie Savage and ex-Tranmere team-mate Steve Davies.One thing Roberts will be hoping to turn around by the time he dons the white shirt of the Rams is his new side's pretty lamentable run of form against Rovers.The two-times Division One champions and former European Cup semi-finalists have lost all four Championship contests against the South Yorkshiremen and been handed a few footballing lessons in the bargain and Rams supporters would be forgiven for being sick of the sight of anything resembling a red-and-white hooped shirt.County's sole crumb of consolation came courtesy of a last-gasp FA Cup fourth-round victory at Pride Park on January 23, with Jay McEveley - ironically the player Roberts is set to replace at left-back - firing in the winner.Rovers have also finished above Derby in the past two seasons - by two and four places respectively, with Roberts featuring in all four victories.The most famous one unquestionably came on a momentous early August afternoon in 2008, when Lewis Guy fired the winner in Rovers' first game back in the second tier in 50 years with the milestone game - watched by a crowd of just over 33,000 - immediately going down in the annals of club history.He added: "I think Doncaster are a bit of a bogey team for Derby."Pride Park is a fantastic stadium and I am looking forward to running out in front of 30,000 every week."The training facilities are also excellent and now we need to push up the league.""This is probably my biggest challenge so far. I am looking forward to it and, hopefully, I can deliver for the manager."I spoke to the gaffer and we had a good long chat. He told me his plans for the season and I want to be a part of that."He told me of his ambitions for the club. He wants to take the club forward and build it."It is a building process and the plans he has will be great for the club.""I played with Steve Davies at Tranmere and Paul Green at Donny and also Robbie Savage for Wales, so I know a few of the lads."I've spoken to Greenie about Derby a few times."Rovers have announced they will play a pre-season friendly at League Two champions Notts County on Saturday, July 17.The club will also visit non-league outfits Askern Villa on July 7 and Quorn, at Warwickshire University, on July 14 while hosting West Brom on Tuesday, July 27. google_protectAndRun("render_ads.js::google_render_ad", google_handleError, google_render_ad); Vote Now >> "); --> Free Newsletter Get the headlines delivered to your email inbox.Click here to register and/or customise your newsletters. Newsletter -->
