Robinson wants more of Joe Gelhardt as he talks down Leeds United teammate Roberts
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 can’t wrap his head around why Joe Gelhardt wasn’t substituted into the game on Saturday as Leeds United lost 3-0 at Everton.
At half-time, Raphinha was substituted off and replaced by Tyler Roberts with Marcelo Bielsa confirming after the game it was a tactically-motivated change [Daily Mail].
Bielsa’s in-game decisions have been called into question time and time again this season despite Gelhardt, 19, showing in his minimal Premier League appearances that he can have a massive impact off the bench.
And Robinson has also raised concerns over Bielsa’s refusal to use Gelhardt over Roberts while he was also baffled by Adam Forshaw not starting at Goodison Park.
“He should’ve put Gelhardt on against Newcastle. I don’t know why he put Tyler Roberts on instead of Gelhardt then and again, there was an opportunity to play him at Everton,” Robinson told MOT Leeds News.
“He stretches the game, he can play as a number nine and he plays up.
“It’s not looking like Patrick Bamford will be back any time soon so this is going to be an issue between now and the end of the season.
“I can’t understand substituting Raphinha for Tyler Roberts. If Raphinha’s picked up a knock or any kind of injury then you would expect Dan James to drop deeper and put Gelhardt on to play higher up the field.
“But like I said, there were a couple [of confusing] decisions at the weekend.
“Why Forshaw started on the bench, I don’t know – Forshaw’s been the best player Leeds have had all season. Why he didn’t start the game, I don’t know.
“But once again, it highlights how the lack of transfer activity in January is really going to play its part between now and the end of the season.
“They’re so light in the squad that I can’t for the life of me understand why they didn’t bring someone through the door in January.”
In his six appearances as a substitute in the Premier League this season, Gelhardt has scored one goal and supplied two assists. He’s also grabbed an assist in one of his two starts.
Roberts, on the other hand, has just two goals and three assists in 48 Premier League appearances for Leeds.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites are in pursuit of a goalscoring English midfielder.