MOT View: Stats highlight Leeds player can step up as 22-year-old ruled out v Hull
Marcelo Bielsa has confirmed that Leeds United striker Jean-Kevin Augustin will miss Saturday’s trip to Hull City.
Augustin missed Wednesday’s victory at Middlesbrough with a hamstring problem during training, something that will keep him out of the Yorkshire derby.
Leeds had no out-and-out striker on the bench on Wednesday, with Tyler Roberts the most attacking-based player available to Bielsa.
Roberts has slowly dropped back into a playmaker role when given a chance at Elland Road, but he has led the line numerous times for the Whites.
The Welsh international is definitely capable of stepping up in the absence of Augustin and ease a potential headache for Bielsa behind Patrick Bamford.
All Stats Aren’t We shared that the 21-year-old has played 778 minutes as a striker for Leeds. Roberts has scored three goals despite only having an expected tally of 2.29 – hitting the target with 57.89% of his shots.
Roberts has only scored once this season, but he has only featured 12 times because of injuries and the form of others at the club.
With Bamford once again having come under some stick against Boro, it could happen again on Saturday – something which could tempt Bielsa to potentially make a switch at some point in the game.
The 26-year-old has had 20 shots on goal since his last he last found the back of the net [WhoScored], but his defensive work has seen him cement his spot in the side.
Our favourite stats page did point out that Roberts is capable of putting in a similar defensive effort to Bamford and that does ease slight fears that he could lead the line once again for the Whites – something that could prove he is ready to fill the void left by Augustin.
In other Leeds United news, this Sky Sports pundit has been mightly impressed with this ‘absolutely sensational’ Whites record