Roberts aims for opportunities

Striker makes a point

Last updated: 13th January 2008

jason roberts blackburn

Roberts: Scored winner

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Jason Roberts was pleased with his performance after coming off the bench to score the winner in Blackburn's 2-1 victory over Bolton at The Reebok on Sunday.

The powerful striker was a real handful and caused the Bolton defence problems before scoring his fine individual last-gasp goal.

After gathering the ball in his own half, he rode several challenges to get in a goal-shooting position, before his shot was slightly deflected past Bolton keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen, who got a hand to the shot but could not keep it out.

Speaking afterwards, Roberts hoped his powerful performance would "put pressure" on Blackburn boss Mark Hughes to grant him more first-team opportunities.

Disappointing

He told Sky Sports News: "It's obviously been disappointing not to play many games - but I think today I showed a little bit what I can do.

"It's been frustrating with injuries since I came to this club. But I think I'm ready to play; I've been ready for a while now and I want to put pressure on the manager and show people what I can do."

Asked about where his future lies, Roberts added: "It's not really in my hands at the moment. I just want to play football."

Hughes himself welcomed the role Roberts played in the game.

He said: "Obviously Jason has been frustrated with the lack of opportunities and I think that is obviously the situation that we are in but there is no doubting his ability, his ability to make impact coming off the bench as he did.

"He is a very powerful guy, once he gets on the half-turn then it is very difficult to draw him back because he has got power, he has got pace and it was a great finish."