If you would have told a Leeds United supporter at the start of the 2018/19 campaign that Tyler Roberts would replace Samuel Saiz as one of the club’s most important players, they would have understandably been bemused.
Although the Wales international undoubtedly had the talent to push his way into Marcelo Bielsa’s plans, the fact that Saiz had been directly involved in 13 Championship goals last season meant that he provided a considerable amount of competition to his fellow wide-man.
After failing to make an appearance in the first seven games of the year, Roberts made his bow for the Whites in a 1-1 draw against Millwall in September before scoring a brace three days later in a 3-0 victory over Preston North End at Elland Road.
Featuring initially as a centre-forward, the 20-year-old was eventually switched to the wing following Saiz’s departure to Getafe in the January transfer window and has impressed considerably over the past few months for Leeds.
With three goals and five assists to his name during the current campaign, the former Walsall loanee has developed immeasurably under the guidance of Bielsa.
Therefore, when it was announced that Jack Clarke had won the club’s prestigious Young Player of the Year award, these Whites fans took to Twitter to display their disappointment that Roberts had missed out.
You cannot…be…. serious!!
Roberts by a mile….— Simon Wilkinson (@SimonWi20665988) 28 April 2019
roberts has been robbed
— George (@GeorgeWIufc) 28 April 2019
Happy for Jack but @official_tyro deserved this all day long
— Laurence (@laurencelufc) 28 April 2019
Roberts every day of the week – Clarke is outstanding but Roberts has achieved more this season
— Karen_1919 (@Karendoobydoo) 29 April 2019
Should be Roberts. Got that one wrong.
— Ian Stevens (@lufcstevens82) 28 April 2019
Well done Jack, but should of been Roberts. #alaw MOT.
— Mark Lazell (@LazellMark) 28 April 2019
Jacks gonna be a very good player. But really. Roberts easily won this. He must be gutted. He was awesome yesterday
— Mark talbot (@Marktalbot20) 29 April 2019
Definitely Roberts for me. Clarke has shown glimpses of his undeniable skill but he’s been a shadow of his former self since the incident at boro away. Hope he gets back to his best. Let’s smash these playoffs now lads!
— Jamie Stevenson (@JayStevo86) 28 April 2019
Instead of dwelling on this particular snub, the winger could instead use it as a motivating factor to help his side achieve promotion via the play-offs in May.
