Glad to make a Marc at last

MARC ROBERTS hopes his goal is the first repayment to Birmingham fans for his poor form.

Defender Roberts, 27, has failed to hit the heights since his £3.5m move from Barnsley last summer.

But he scored his first goal on Saturday after being recalled as Blues moved five points clear of the drop zone.

“It’s a bit late but the chance I have got now I need to show the fans what I am as a player,” he said.

“I am disappointed in my past form but I need to show the player I am.

“It’s been an up and down season for me.

“Scoring is not really what I am on the pitch for but it helps the team and I’ve never gone a season without scoring.

“I have been nowhere near my standards.

“Hopefully I can pick those standards up, put on a show for the fans, get safe and move on to next season.”

Roberts cancelled out City old boy Mark Duffy’s opener before Jacques Maghoma’s 50th career goal, which saw Blues win from behind for the first time since August 12.

Birmingham will be safe if Barnsley lose at Forest tomorrow and they beat QPR on Saturday.

Duffy was booed every time he touched the ball but admitted the Blades – now three points off the play-offs – were woeful.

“We didn’t turn up. They seemed to have more fight and that’s massively disappointing,” he said.

Boss Chris Wilder said: “Unless something drastic happens, we’re going to miss out on promotion.”