If you were an outsider looking in, you’d be forgiven for assuming Leeds had started the season terribly, judging by some of the fan reaction.
After defeat against Charlton, supporters called out Marcelo Bielsa’s tactics but that was also the case after a draw with Derby.
Football fans can grow restless quickly but that is the cut-throat nature of football.
The Whites may only have won once at home all season and taken victory from one of their last four matches but they still sit three points off top spot.
It’s been a productive start but they could be doing better – that’s particularly the case going forward.
The constant barrage of Jack Harrison won’t stop. He was targeted by the Leeds faithful last weekend despite completing two accurate crosses, something that doubled his tally in that department for the season.
So far, he has managed just three accurate balls into the box from 37 attempts.
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Leeds are also one of the worst teams in terms of their conversion. They amass the highest rate of shots per game at 17.7, which is two more than West Brom – their unbeaten opponents tonight.
They have scored four fewer goals but whoever comes out on top in that game will make a huge statement about their promotion hopes.
If the Whites lose they’ll find themselves even further behind the pack but three points would be huge.
What can they do to improve matters? Having Tyler Roberts back could definitely help.
The creative midfielder returned from an injury that saw him have fluid drained from his knee over the summer and returned to the fold at The Valley.
He came off the bench against the Addicks and now a year older, he could be one part of the jigsaw that’s currently missing from the Leeds XI.
Mateusz Klich is yet to discover the form he showed in 2018/19 and has netted just twice in all competitions but it’s the players beside him that have failed to conjure up much creativity or goal threat.
Adam Forshaw came close at the weekend but hasn’t scored in the league since 2015/16. Jamie Shackleton is yet to score a senior goal either.
Roberts is a player capable of playing anywhere across the attacking line, initially making his name as a centre-forward.
However, it’s in a wide role and, in particular, directly behind the striker that he’s broken through at Leeds.
He became somewhat of a key player towards the back end of last season and boasted some impressive numbers per game.
He may not have netted too often but eight goal involvements from just 20 starts is something promising to build upon.
Had he not missed the start of the campaign it’s likely he would have played a substantial role and, with Forshaw set to miss the game against Slaven Bilic’s highflyers, Roberts is someone who could well come in and start.
After all, Shackleton was sacrificed at half time last Saturday. Clearly Bielsa wasn’t happy.
It might be that Roberts is now the player to come in and the 20-year-old could add some extra fire and spice to their forward line that’s missing.
He was able to do that last term, specifically against Preston but also against West Brom.
Roberts caused them a host of problems at Elland Road last season by claiming two assists. The omens certainly bode well heading into the exact same fixture on Tuesday.
Lest we forget, Albion are the team he used to play for. An extra incentive will be there for the Welshman this week but as the season progresses, he can become a key man and one of the emerging talents at Thorp Arch.
Roberts became a bit of a favourite under Bielsa in the second half of last season, failing to miss a single game from mid-January until a clash against Ipswich on the final day.
The youngster has a dynamic nature about him that could solve some underlying issues. Leeds aren’t particularly having too much joy from wide areas consider Harrison has failed to muster a single assist so perhaps targeting central areas is the way to go.
Something has to change if Leeds want to start improving their results and that starts with extra creativity and an added goal threat.
The fact Roberts only scored three goals in 2018/19 shouldn’t be overlooked. He’s still young and Bielsa has proven he gives chances to up and coming players if they are good enough.
Whether he is the missing piece remains to be seen but there’s certainly a case to be had.
If he can find his feet, Leeds’ promotion hopes will definitely be boosted judging by what’s gone before this season.