After drawing their last two games, Leeds United got back to winning ways against QPR as they completed a 2-0 victory over them. The match had the general feeling of United dominating proceedings but not being clinical enough in the final third. However, that changed soon as Tyler Roberts scored the opener in the 39th minute with an excellent low finish from the edge of the box.
The former West Brom attacker was almost forgotten at the start of the season due to his injuries. But now that he is fit, he has given new energy and hope to the Whites. Moreover, he seems to have that instinct in front of goal which has been lacking so far in the previous games. With injuries to Jamie Shackleton and Adam Forshaw, Roberts got a chance to start in the attacking midfield role, and he did an excellent job recently.
Whelan Believes Roberts Can Be Better Than Saiz
Former Leeds striker Noel Whelan praised the player after his first Championship start of the season. Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan said, ”He’s like a new signing for Leeds. He had a fantastic game against QPR and was involved in everything. He got on the ball, turning players and because he is a striker by nature, he is very forward-thinking and likes to drive at defenders and pop the ball off.
”He has a great turn of pace, a low centre of gravity, he’s good with the ball at his feet, and his finish was nonchalant. I’ve been waiting to see more of him in the number 10 role. He’s a breath of fresh air in that position. Can he be the new Saiz? Absolutely. I think he can be better than Saiz as he is young and has so much room for improvement.”
Why should Roberts be a regular now?
Samuel Saiz was the preferred attacking midfielder last season for the Whites. However, the Spaniard departed from the club in January 2019. Bielsa never really went on to sign a replacement for him, and he has used makeshift players for the attacking midfield position. However, we think that Roberts should be given a consistent run in the team now in that position even when the likes of Forshaw or Shackleton become available.
The two midfielders are more of a no. 8, and they don’t seem to have goals to their game which a manager would need from an attacking midfielder. Mateusz Klich has looked below par in the last few ties, and maybe Bielsa could rotate Forshaw and Klich in the middle.
After his recent heroics, Roberts deserves to start regularly as he seems to have goals to his game and his movement and ability to shoot well from the edge of the box is going to be vital for the Yorkshire outfit.
