On loan Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Jack Roles has revealed he’s relishing his time in League Two with Cambridge United, as revealed by the Cambridge News.
With three goals in nine matches, Roles has thrived on his spell in the basement division. The 21-year-old Cypriot international is in his first spell in senior football and has helped fire Cambridge to 10th in the table, an improvement on last season’s rather more dismal showing.
“I’m loving it so far,” he said of his loan spell. “Everyone who I talk to always asks if I’m enjoying it and I always say ‘yeah, it’s refreshing’.
“Because I’ve been at Tottenham since I was so young, it’s all I’ve really known. Since I’ve come here, it’s been like a breath of fresh air and something different. It’s refreshing and I’m loving it.
“When I get picked it’s always like ‘oh, I’m starting!’, and it’s a real confidence booster. Then I’ve got to do what I can do to help the team, and when we’re winning 4-0 against Exeter it’s just a huge bonus to everyone and it always feels better.”
Roles was on the scoresheet as the U’s demolished early pacesetter Exeter City at the Abbey Stadium this weekend and will likely feature this evening as host Grimsby Town.
“I’ve had a few cuts and bruises so fair,” he said of his first stint in the senior game.
“It’s different to 23 football, but I wouldn’t say it’s a completely different game. Football is football at the end of the day. I’m just trying to learn, and I’m picking up a lot while doing it. I’m really enjoying it at the moment.”
Enfield-born Roles starred for Enfield Grammar School team which led to a 2015 move to Spurs as a 16-year-old.
Our View
Roles has certainly settled quickly in League Two, which is no mean feat. Rushian Hepburn-Murphy wasn’t quite as effective during his spell at Cambridge last season and it takes some adapting for a young player.
His goals return only tells part of the story; he’s been good on the ball and creative for his teammates too.
If he carries on in this form, it might ensure a chance around Spurs’ first team next season.
