Roberts eyes Rovers momentum

Roberts: Seeks momentum

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Jason Roberts believes Blackburn Rovers' superb finish to the Premier League season can aid the start of their 2010/11 campaign.

A season of struggle was predicted for the Ewood Park outfit, but a fine second half of the campaign saw Sam Allardyce's side finish 10th.

Their thrilling end of season climax saw them topple high-flying Arsenal and Aston Villa with Roberts leading the line for Rovers.

While the experienced striker admits he has not played as much as he would have liked, he is delighted with Blackburn's end of season form.

Roberts sees no reason why the Lancashire side cannot go one better next season and even qualify for Europe.

"It's funny how the perception of things can change," he told skysports.com.

Achievement

"Our away form hasn't been great, but to finish the way we have and to end up knocking around the top ten with our resources is a huge achievement.

"We're obviously delighted. It'll give us more confidence for next season. We can hopefully go on and do even better. There's no reason why we cannot get into Europe.

"We've had a lot of clean sheets. We all work hard for each other. The game against Arsenal really summed us up in terms of work ethic.

"We haven't scored as many goals as we'd have liked and we've not won as many away games as we'd have liked, but we've shown that team-work, determination and organisation can win games in the Premier League."

Roberts has a year left on his Blackburn contract and has been linked with moves to the likes of Newcastle and Wolves over the past few months.

He is not taking much notice of the transfer speculation, stating he is simply focusing on his football and letting the chips fall where they may.

"When you don't play people will talk about your situation and that's been the case," he continued.

"I'm just pleased to have finished the season strongly. I'll just keep playing and we'll see what happens.

"I'm happy at the moment. You want to play as many games as possible. I've not played as many as I'd have liked."

Foundation

While some players are jetting off on their holidays Roberts is putting more time and energy into his hugely successful charity - The Jason Roberts Foundation.

The programmes, which are run in the UK and in Grenada, have given youngsters the chance to improve their livelihood through sport.

On Sunday Roberts' celebrity XI tackle some of Liverpool's famous names from the past with the aim of raising as much money as possible.

When asked about Sunday's special fixture, he continued: "It's the Jason Roberts Foundation XI against the Liverpool legends.

"We played a game at Hayes, my first club, last season and it was very successful.

"We're playing the Liverpool legends this time around and I'm hopeful it'll be an even greater success.

"It's exciting to be back to my old club against the Liverpool legends and we can raise a lot of money for the charity."

Roberts will also be jetting to Grenada next month to help out with the Foundation's popular summer kids programme.

"I'm going to Grenada to do more work for the Foundation, including a summer programme with the kids. We're launching a youth league which will be supported by Andy Cole and Michael Thomas.

"There are lots of things going on as well as the continual educational programmes in the UK. I'd also like to thank the PFA and Premier League for their continued support."