Clarke is leaving and if we let Roberts go, who is one of our older lads, we'll not be signing any new wingers as we have Mayenda, Bennette, Mundle, Rusyn, Rigg, Embleton, Ba and potentially Styles if he signs who can function there. We're overburdened with wingers, for that reason I'd rather keep Roberts who is better than all of those listed.
Why would you be gutted? What does he actually offer when playing? Slow, lazy, unproductive, can't pass, can't shoot, lacks positional awareness, can't defend, makes atrocious decisions.
How is he better than them? Some of them listed have actually contributed to the team unlike Roberts.
He’s not that bad We definitely need more from him but he’s got a bit of class, that can’t be denied.
It's well documented he has had a poor season, but he was great for us last season and had 12 goals contributions I believe (more than any of the afore mentioned have managed this season for example), his work at Celtic when younger, the glowing references from Tony Mowbray and other coaches throughout his career, there isn't any doubt he is one of the best wingers outside of the Premiership when he is on form, it would be a risk losing him if the expectation is one of those lads can step up and replace him. Ba is probably the best of the lot if we're viewing it through a lens of goal contributions, yet we all know he is not as good as Roberts at gliding past defenders, which is one of the main jobs of the winger, again we all agree Roberts needs to be better, but be careful what you wish for.
The only thing roberts has over Ba is his dribbling ability - ba offers more at the minute imo. Roberts has probably only had 2 good seasons in his career which i think says a lot Roberts has the talent and id def keep him next season to see if a new manager can unlock his ability on a consistent basis We won't get a good offer for roberts this summer as hes been shocking this season
Where is the class? Please show me some 'class' from him this season and I can show you 10 moments of horrific play from him to counter it. Shocking footballer and everything that is wrong with the modern player. All fart no ****e.
There’s no denying he’s had a poor season and we need more end product. We’re all aware of that but to label him a shocking footballer is just wrong imo. Let’s hope he can start producing, starting Saturday.
I think the ability to dribble well is a non negotiable for a modern winger, like heading for a centre back or finishing for a striker. Ba has received the ire of the crowd more than once this season for his ball greediness and poor decision making, whilst Roberts has not had end product, his runs are effective and even if he beats one defender and loses the ball to the second we have done okay scooping up those second balls on the edge of the box. They're not really comparable, Roberts is out-and-out a better winger than Ba as things stand and that is why he will be in contention to start against Millwall and Ba likely won't.
Roberts isn't as good a dribbler as some believe either. Gets tackled 49% of the time he attempts a take on, compared to Clarke being tackled just 35%. Someone please tell me what Roberts offers to the team.
Carries the ball well, gets us up the pitch quicker than most. I thought he had a cracking game at Fulham in the FA Cup. Can pick a pass (Hull away - assist for Stewart). He can certainly finish cutting in on that left foot - Reading away and Watford at home just a couple of examples.
Anything from this season? He does not carry the ball that well compared to the best championship wingers. His chance creation numbers aren't better than the best championship wingers. His finishing is terrible compared to the best championship wingers.
Your critique is fair and we're all in agreement about his form this season. The question though is about next season and if he has the capacity to get back to something resembling those 12 goal contributions. Jack Clarke's 1 goal and 3 assists in 17 for us in League One wasn't anything special either.
Was still a goal contribution every 300 minutes or so, compared to Roberts having a goal contribution every 890 minutes this season.
Off the top of my head - no, he’s had a stinking season really. Frustrating but he’ll be aware of that. I still believe he’s more than capable though. Hopefully he can get back to his 22/23 form.
But it's relevant to the match when Roberts may be playing. If me saying a Sunderland player doesn't deserve to be playing on a Sunderland match thread is ruining a thread then what is the point of the board?
