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Patrick Roberts to Birmingham compendium

G Force said:
Never understand the posters who belittle the likes of Roberts, Neil, Patterson etc in a snide way

Maybe they aren’t strong enough to take us forward, however they were integral in a double promotion squad. They’ll always have my thanks and wish them the best
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Agree, some people seem to want the worse for them. Probs the same who expect better players to want to stay here for their whole careers because of the 'support' they're given
 

Banks said:
Ive always felt Roberts is a number 10 more than a winger. Was unreal for celtic when he played there.
It wouldnt surprise me if he had a glow up season if he played a full season as a 10
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In modern football, tracking back and working hard is really important for the modern inverted winger / inside forward role, and Roberts works his socks off - so playing wide does really suit him, although I do know what you mean that in a free role he's very creative.
If he could shoot (like Clarke) he'd be a top top player. Its just not something he's ever really been able to do reliably and its held him back.
 
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Banks said:
Ive always felt Roberts is a number 10 more than a winger. Was unreal for celtic when he played there.

It wouldnt surprise me if he had a glow up season if he played a full season as a 10
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Wouldnt rule out a return to Celtic this summer. If brum see the new lad as their main RW, then he could be on the move again
 
Sometimes a player finds their level in the position they play. Nobody ever doubted he worked hard and liked to be tricky, but his decision making in the final third was very poor. Wingers do get a back wrap for being creative and losing the ball, but for Roberts, other teams worked out all they ha to do was stand him up long enough and he'll make the wrong decision. As a winger in the front 3 he is poor, but as a midfielder, driving up the pitch with the ball and being asked to only play the final pass and never shoot, he could do a really good job.
 
It's easy to compare him with Clarke as they both joined at the same time on opposite wings having made big money moves to big clubs that didn't work out. It took them both a little while to get going and for a long time Roberts was ahead of Clarke - Clarke was very predictable and would either always go down the outside or always cut inside depending on the game, while Roberts formed a lovely partnership with Amad. Somewhere towards the end of that first Championship season, something seemed to click with Clarke and he realised he had to start taking up positions where he'd be most effective, even if it meant he was on the ball less. We saw that really come to fruition the following season when he would receive the ball very high up the pitch and started scoring regularly. I don't think Roberts ever had that moment. He tended to drop very deep just to get on the ball, try to take on numerous players and by the time he got into the final third the moment had passed or he'd given himself too much to do.

Wish him well of course.
 
Banks said:
Ive always felt Roberts is a number 10 more than a winger. Was unreal for celtic when he played there.

It wouldnt surprise me if he had a glow up season if he played a full season as a 10
Click to expand...
I've always thought of Roberts as a number 2..😂😂
 
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