Exclusive: Brilliant Leeds youngster must start after big name breaks down in training – pundit

We’re delighted to welcome former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Leeds United…

Paul Robinson has said that Tyler Roberts must start for Leeds against Huddersfield after another blank from Patrick Bamford and big-name signing Jean-Kevin Augustin breaking down in training. 

Robinson hailed 21-year-old Roberts as “brilliant” after his two-goal cameo against Hull on Saturday and said he’s “hungry” for goals.

Bamford has only scored in one game in his last 12 and it’s a barren spell that led to Leeds almost losing their top-two spot.

Talking exclusively to MOT Leeds News, Robinson said, “Tyler Roberts was brilliant against Hull, he looked really sharp. For me, he’s got to start the next game.

“Leeds are dominating games and not finishing chances. We all know what Bamford brings to the team but his conversion rate isn’t good enough.

“Tyler Roberts came on and proved he could put in the same work shift for the team and also scored the goals. You saw how clinical he was. He took the ball off Stuart Dallas’ foot and that showed he’s hungry and wants to score goals. And that’s the type of player Leeds need.

“Leeds have got Jean-Kevin Augustin but he’s broken down under the Bielsa regime, trying to get fit.

“That means that Tyler Roberts could have found his opportunity to get into that team.

“It’s no surprise how Bielsa plays and whether that’s three at the back or four at the back, he plays a single striker and for me, that’s got to be Tyler Roberts in the next game.”

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It’s very hard to argue with Robinson but Bielsa is Bielsa and we think the chances are that Bamford will start on Saturday.

Bielsa doesn’t like making changes and Leeds have won the last four games in a row.

Bielsa would argue that Bamford has played his part in this run despite the fact that he hasn’t scored in any of them.

We’d prefer to see Roberts up top – he took his chances brilliantly on Saturday and Bamford could do with coming out of the firing line.

In other Leeds United news, ‘Shockwave’ – Jim White makes big Leeds claim, Danny Murphy delivers title prediction