The Tyler Roberts experiment is still not working.
Cooper still has a costly mistake in him every match.
Sunday's game is a must win.
100% correct.
Roberts has consistently fluffed his chances, made bad decisions, passed into touch, lost posession or just contributed naff all - I'm never even sure I know what position he is supposed to be playing in...others [Klitch] lose form - but have contributed considerably over the seasons, Roberts has never shown any - other than brief glimpses.
Cooper is always likely to just **** up, or give away a penalty [He is involved in a wrestling match at every set piece against us] though he has been a good and loyal player for us - that was before we got to the premier league where his limitations are sadly there to be seen most weeks - don't get me wrong, he always gives 100% but is now just not good enough.
Neither are as good as replacements we already have from the under 23's who's potential needs to be unleashed!
The interesting Roberts replacements would be Greenwood and Joffy and possibly Bate (not sure he will see time this season).
Agree on Cooper - he must be close to 5th choice when everyone is fit.
Forshaw and Shackleton seem the most obvious midfield partners for KP but Indont think MB is likely to see it that way.
It was scary once Forshaw went off how big the literal gap of wide open space was in midfield on Tuesday and that has at times been a problem all season.
Need players with good midfield positional sense otherwise we get overrun when we inevitably lose the ball.
Roberts looks ok till he gets anywhere near the goal or is in a position to create a chance but it is nothing more than that
What bothers me is it isn't him personally or his effort or attitude I just don't think he has the brain or skill level to play that crucial role. To me he also doesn't look any better than the player that was getting hooked at half time every game for Pablo in our promotion run in where Pablo would come on and change the game everytime.
Roberts also isn't the only issue but he best reprents our lack of investment in a key area
I think Foreshaw showed in his cameo today and 45 against Arsenal that if fit, he is exactly what we need - a player other than Philips who can break it up and play a simple FORWARD pass to a team mate - which is what we have been lacking all season. He looked assured and in control, he intercepted passes and tackled right bang in the middle of the park - when he wasn't on the pitch defenders simply strode forward into the midfield chasm!
A reliably fit and routinely available Forshaw would be a huge asset.