Patrick Roberts has spoken of the importance of a good pre-season, and how it can help prepare players to be in the right state come the start of the season. Having just signed a new contract to keep him on Wearside, Roberts was asked about how pre-season at the Academy of Light has been so far, and what the atmosphere is like around the place.
"Pre-season is important - I've not had many over the past few years being on loan, you don't get a full pre-season. The manager has spoken to me about that, and making that important for me.
"Coming in on the first day was just as important for me as everyone else, [it's] something we've got to get through, it's part and parcel of football. You're going to have many more pre-seasons, so you've got to enjoy it, take what you can from it, build on it, and set a good stance for the rest of the season."
There have been six loan spells in Roberts career so far, highlighting why he has found it hard to come by a full and proper pre-season. Now at Sunderland, he will be hoping to settle and hit the ground running once again when Sunderland's new season kicks off at home against Coventry at the end of July.
Roberts was also questioned on how he is looking to improve himself for the upcoming Championship season. He answered: "You only get better by playing games and being in a team where you can strive. That's what I've got here, under a manager, [with] teammates, and fans that will cheer you on every game, every day.
"I've got that and can only improve, and improve on last season. I'm fully capable and looking forward to seeing what I can do."
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