I find the Roberts debate interesting. No doubting his season hasnt been good but we seem to be allowing the club a bad season but not some players. Maybe the two are related.
I think Roberts is well worth keeping personally. I think we have players to challenge him in Ba, Mundle and perhaps Willock if he arrives. I have seem Roberts a lot before he landed here. He has never been a goalscorer. What he is, when om song, is a player who drags defenders out of position, often gets doubled up on and that opens massive space for others. I think Amad benefitted from Roberts last season, and vice versa of course. Mowbray is a coach who loves flair and talent and he gives it licence. The way he talked about Roberts was clear, and the payback on the pitch was clear. Mowbray would often have to defend the assists stats, which have to be the most misleading of all stats, as Roberts would often be the man to create the opening for the assist, or get fouled leading to a goal. Under Beale and Dodds, who have both been about defensive setup, I am not surprised he has struggled. And if we are sticking with a horrendous 5 at the back formation Roberts has no place in that side. I also have a suspicion he isnt over his injury, he doesnt look as dynamic from a standing start.
For me I would keep him, but only if the club are planning on a front foot coach who wants creativity and knows how to harness it. Let him and Willock, or whoever it is, fight it out for a spot in the team. If he doesnt get his mojo back then next year is fine to let him go. There are bigger problems we need to fix this summer than Roberts imo.
