Robinson slams Tyler Roberts after yet another Leeds United shocker
We’re delighted to welcome former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson as our exclusive columnist as each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Leeds United...
Paul Robinson has slammed Leeds United attacker Tyler Roberts over his form at Elland Road this season.
Roberts, 23, has played in all but two of Leeds’ Premier League fixtures this term, coming on as a substitute 17 times.
His impact from the bench has been next to nothing and frustration hit a boiling point on Saturday [12 February] when he replaced star player Raphinha at half-time in the 3-0 defeat at Everton.
Robinson feels Roberts has never met the required standard at Leeds and has ripped him to shreds for recent performances.
Speaking to MOT Leeds News, Robinson also had a pop at Marcelo Bielsa for opting to stick by the ex-West Brom attacker.
“Bielsa took Raphinha off for Roberts, who, unfortunately, is nowhere near the level you’d want him to be at,” he said.
“Raphinha has been the best player at Leeds for the last two seasons and Roberts cost us the game against Newcastle.
“He came on off the bench [at St James’ Park], which was a strange decision. He lost possession in that and cost us that game.
“Roberts has not played particularly well this season at all and you take the best player that we’ve had this season who’s been linked with Champions League sides off and put him on.”
Raphinha is Leeds’ top goalscorer this season but is the only player at Elland Road to have not benefitted from a winter break due to his international commitments with Brazil.
Since returning to action with the Whites, it’s fair to say Raphinha hasn’t been at the level we’d expect him to be at.
However, there are other options on the bench than Roberts, who’s had more than enough chances to impress and failed on almost each opportunity.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites are in pursuit of a goalscoring English midfielder.