It wasn’t just Roberts when Costa was here it was both of them.
It isn’t even the types of player.
It’s the manger’s narrow mindedness.
It’s obvious that both players were not the answer, and Roberts, for example, was not the answer in the Championship!
To me this a major weakness in the managers mindset.
Creswell is in because he’s a last resort, he wouldn’t be playing if he was midfielder.
I hope MB doesn’t leave a legacy of being too bloody minded to change things.
The last few games of the season were a wasted chance. Mollifying finishes against some top opposition but what did we learn? Costa and Roberts were his answer. A rubbish pre season and what did we learn? Costa and Roberts were the answer! He was even playing Costa when everyone knew he was leaving.
I really hope he can change this because I fear Roberts and Foreshaw will be the newest answer.
It is strange that Roberts came to us as a young (19) number 9 but has now played 3 games in that position. He has played as RW, LW, CM and ACM. For his development have we gotten best out of him? I have said it once before and that is 3 months of playing as a number 9 on loan and he will be good.
Look at difference playing Rodrigo in his position makes. He looks total different player.
I was giving the benefit of doubt to Roberts (last season) and i still think he improved around the christmas period to the end of the season but this year it looks like he has dropped back in form again sadly.
Is it cause he cant improve anymore?
is it cause the demands of Belisaball are very strenuous and its only human that the body cant cope ala klich last year?
Is it cause MB still sees Roberts as being the best we have despite the young lads doing so well last season and at the start of this?
I dont have the answers and i can and still do trust Belisa (not blindly) but he sees everything that is happening at TA and as one of the top 5 best coaches in the world who are we to mouth off?
However my view is Roberts performances lately dosent / shouldn't automatically give him the right to be 1st sub. To develop the squad and for the development of other players trying to breakthrough they need to feel that they can get an equal opportunity to shine / perform. If the fringe players feel they arent going to get a fair crack then, what is only human nature, they wont give it all in training and hence they dont progress at all. The result being LUFC dont improve.
As i say i trust MB and wouldnt want any other person in charge but the big picture has to be thought of and who knows maybe another diamond is in our squad, like philips was, and this person is waiting for the pressure of the PL to be forced on him for them to shine!!!!
i know deep stuff and i bet most of ye didn't think that kinda stuff was in me ;)
I very much agree with this Bull. I don't want us to dismiss a 22 year old too soon, especially as everything I've seen suggests he tries to do what's asked and he is a willing runner. Bielsa is willing to give younger players a good go and I respect that, BUT... Sadly, as with others I'm just not seeing a development in a midfield role - he was bought as a No 9 like Rodrigo.
Rodrigo was not a waste of space v Wet Spam - he looked more the part, maybe we've reached a point of going on loan now for Roberts. I also agree with you he should never be an automatic first change every game.
I have given up defending young Tyler. After 80+ games for us now, I cannot really call him inexperienced or seek to defend his potential.
He plays for Wales as a No.9 and apart from running about and working hard offers them nothing else in a true footballing sense.
Only way to see if he can actually realise his talents is let him go out on loan in January to a Championship side, preferably challenging for promotion.
We then bit the bullet and get a proper No.9, not a false No.9 nor a deep lying No.9 (like Rodrigo)
BB, does the idea of playing 2 forwards together upfront appeal to you? I oftem wonder if we had a pair in what is consider old fashioned now a better way to maximise Bamford, Rodrigo, Robert talents (Greenwood & Gelthart for that matter)?
Also think that Dallas, klich and Phillips midfield seems to be somewhat not working. There is a disconnect in there.
@Daniel2 has bielsa ever played two upfront?
While Klich definitely had a dip in form last season he seems to be right back at it again so far. Dallas unfortunately is nowhere near last years performances, maybe fatigue, maybe personal issues still not resolved, who knows but to be fair to Dallas season he was immense and to achieve that level of performance would prove difficult for most players, maybe some time on the bench / rest might "fix" things but id say MB is on top of things and if something was seriously wrong i would hope player welfare would take priority.
Kalvin had no real down time after the euro's and again maybe rest is what he needs but if Philips dosen't play well sadly Leeds united don't either we cant afford Kalvin out of the team.
I think trying 2 up front every now and then would at the very least keep the opposition manager guessing as things are we very predicable and throwing a curve ball every now and then would at the very least make the opposing manager scratch his head and work 4-5 hours more on his possible team selection.