Good Morning. It's Thursday 30th September, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Make or break for Roberts Tyler Roberts future at Elland Road hangs in the balance, due to the rapid acceleration of young starlet Joe Gelhardt, according to Leeds Live reporter Elliot Jackson. Elland Road's favourite scapegoat has made 84 appearances for the Whites since his 2.5 m arrival from West Brom three years ago, though the majority have been bit parts! Whilst fans of the Welsh International are keen to point out, Roberts is only 22, his impact of the team's performance is negligible at times. He signed a new three-year contract in the Summer after impressing during the latter stages of last season; but has not been able to replicate this, this term! Should Roberts go out on loan, where he will get first team action week in, week out, get rid in the January transfer window or keep him? please log in to view this image Meslier to the rescue Illan Meslier has been a revelation since his arrival from French outfit Lorient two seasons ago, and at 5m, is proving to be one of the best buys in recent times. Still only 21, and standing 6 foot 6', the last line of defence has been instrumental between the sticks this season. Leeds have conceded 112 shots in the Premier League this season - more than any other team so far. He has made 27 saves, more than any other top flight keeper, and the moves saves from inside the box (18). Whilst the French U21 should be congratulated for his performances, it certainly highlights the deficiencies we have on the pitch! please log in to view this image Highly unlikely Leeds will strengthen squad in January It is 'highly unlikely' that Leeds will strengthen their squad in the January transfer window. Those were the words of Leeds Utd journalist Beren Cross. “The problem with January business is you’re always fighting an uphill battle to make it work under Bielsa,” he said. “Assuming you sign the player in mid to late January. They need six weeks with the under-23s before they’re ready physically and tactically for Bielsa. You’re looking at the final six weeks of a season for the player to have an impact. “If there was some form of injury crisis, then I am sure the club would act, but it seems highly unlikely if the squad is largely available to Bielsa through the second half of the season.” please log in to view this image
Morning all… Our squad is so thin it could be a risky move sending Roberts out on loan, ideally sending him out on loan to a Championship squad and him gaining in value ready for selling on would be idea
Morning all, So I had the "pleasure" of going to Posh v Bournemouth last night. They give free tickets out to the local schools round here so I took my nephew. I have to say that even as a free ticket I still feel I overpaid. My god it was awful. I honestly don't think there was one proper chance on goal. So I can see it already. Roberts is moved out on loan. Geldhart is on the bench. All the haters cry hallelujah. He comes on when we need a goal. Works hard but doesn't score. Next game, doesn't play like prime Yeboah. Next game misses a chance to get us a point. Boom, new scapegoat
Morning all On Roberts yes oeople still say hes only 22 but that changes to 23 in January and he gets no better. He has had more time on the field last season than Rodrigo and scored one goal and one assist whereas Rodrigo scored 6 and 3 assists. He was given a new contract but to be frank he has let Bielsa down as he has not had one good game so far this season. Yes the odd trick and the odd pass but has fluffed his lines in front of goal every time, indeed the Welsh fans were screaming for him never to be selected again. Sam Grenwood is a better player than Roberts and Gelhardt is on another level. Bielsa moved Costa and Poveda because they were not impacting games and Im afraid Tyler is now in last chance saloon. Even in the 23s when he was sent there he was mainly billybigbollox and playing for himself. He scored a handful of goals but most of them were when Joffy won a penalty and he being senior player refused to let anyone else take it. Lost patience with him
Looks like Paddy is out again, so lets see how the team selection goes. Joffy, Cresswell and Greenwood were missing from the Oldham match? Summerville did play Harrison looks like starting on the left again but doubts about Raphinha so will Dan James or Summerville start there. Rodrigo in this new false 9 role seems to work but needs Klich and Dallas to play well….. then we get into Roberts, Greenwood and Joffy choices
Firstly I don't want it to seem like I am blindly defending Roberts but I feel someone has to add just a modicum of balance to the argument. Your point about the new contract and letting Bielsa down. Let's face it the majority of the first team have been let downs so far this season, although starting to look better. Ayling, Dallas, Harrison, Klich and et al have all been below there best so far but they are liked by the fans so do not get the abuse. Roberts is the whipping boy so must be perfect every time he plays. When he has come he has not changed games for the better but at no point have we looked weaker for him being on the pitch. This is the last season he has to prove his place in the squad I agree. I do think that he should be judged over more of the season when the rest of the team improves. It is harsh to judge him this season so far in a misfiring, thrown together side. If he doesn't improve over the season then yes let's wish him best in his future endeavours but for now let's support him as he trys for our team.
Yes its a point of view mate and I respect that. I though am out of patience after nearly 90 games and little end product. He should be pulling up trees now proving hes the Bamford replacement or the Pablo replacement or the Rodrigo replacement, in a team depleted by injury, yet even loads shouting for Joffy as they too have had enough of waiting
I would always give him my support once to anyone that enters that field for my team Hemase that's one thing I would never do is boo or get on a players back. Yes to be fair you are right, a lot of players have not fired this season and agree Roberts has probably been singled out more than most. but, I think its more because he's never done anything since he's been here. you mention them other names above agree not been the same players this season but they all have come into the side and pushed on since they've been here can give mom performances and change games. Roberts sadly hasn't done any of those. He's been here 3 years now and warranted nothing to be a regular in this team. It looks like he will get his chance till Jan at least. now its up to him but if that's him trying so far this season something finally has to give.
I repect everyone's right to an opinion but, and I'm not saying any of you guys per se, there are far too many who take it to far and just got for abuse. I think that is part of the reason I jump to his defence a lot
He came on as right sided player for raphinha. Did we look weaker with him there? Damn right we did. This is not a thrown together team for this is Bielsas chosen squad and roberts is in it by default. Some good u23s never get a look in. Gelhardt is hard as nails and has an attitude i like. Roberts is a powder puff player and needs to move on. Bielsa needs to open his eyes and stop being so insular. Next season we need a new coach as he can take us no further with the same old tactics every game. West ham let us play for a bit then brushed us aside. Men against boys as they say.
we need to win 2 out of next three, simples or doubt will start to seep in not only with the players but maybe el loco as well we just need that first one and hopefully the wheels will start to run more smoothly. off topic but another little hand drawn canvas by one of the daughters, keep them coming you know it makes sense
Raphinha is back and Llorente is available so probably on the bench with Cresswell maybe? Paddy and Ayling out for another 3 weeks minimum and Koch could be close but also could be long term as no specific treatment for this type of injury Bielsa was asked about Lewis Bate as he seems to be thriving at Leeds. Bielsa said he is doing well, he collects the ball and rarely loses it, he defends his back 4 well and can thread the the ball through the eye of a needle and very very good player for his age. Im betting we see Bate as the breakthrough player after Xmas the way he was spoken about. Rumours will start before long about Nahitan Nandez but if you have young talent available that can save £25m…….Bate can play DM like he has been in the last 2 games and is great, but he also plays AM and creates and gets shots off usually on target. Jack Jenkins signed a new contract this week so thats 2 DMs on top of Nohan Kenneh who did a job the other night when he came on and got rave reviews. The future’s bright at DM and before long we may get a nice surprise
It seems all we do is wait. Creswell and pascal got in due to injuries as bielsa had no choice. Phillips will get a ban at some time so do we wait till then.
Leeds Live/Beren Cross deserve no oxygen on this board ... they are negative pot stirrers desperate for clicks ... please just ignore them Meslier has been THE signing in the Bielsa era so far ... good keepers are very hard to find, and to get one this young is unbelievable ... this kid has matured rapidly, and he has such a desire to succeed ... he will probably be our number one for the next 10 years, very difficult to replace him, and it's such a key position
