Tyler Roberts is ‘desperate’ for Leeds United to finish the job off

LEEDS UNITED forward Tyler Roberts admits that he and his team-mates are ‘desperate’ to prove a point should football get the green light to finish the 2019-20 season.
Tyler Roberts of Leeds United. Picture: Darren Staples/SportimageTyler Roberts of Leeds United. Picture: Darren Staples/Sportimage
Tyler Roberts of Leeds United. Picture: Darren Staples/Sportimage

Few sets of players have as much motivation to get back on the pitch – when it is deemed safe to do so – as those at Leeds, who are tantalisingly placed in quest to end their 16-year exile from the Premier League.

As it stands, leaders Leeds are seven points clear of third-placed Fulham with nine games of the Championship season to go, with the desire to finish on a high also fuelled by the bitter memories of the denouement in 2018-19.

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It is helping to preclude any trepidation at a potential return – and contrasts with the views of Manchester City striker Sergio Agüero, who believes many Premier League players will be fearful of resuming the season in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Roberts said: “We are obviously not disregarding the guidelines, but we are desperate to just show and prove in the last nine games that it is different from last season.

“The last nine games for us (last season) were very rocky and had an effect on how we were at the end of last season.

“I think the boys are more desperate to show people we’ve got what it takes to get promoted and win the Championship.

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“I think that is why the boys are desperate to play again. If it is not safe, health is more important of course.”

For Roberts, the next natural step in his continued evolution under Marcelo Bielsa is Premier League football, with the 21-year-old quick to praise the esteemed head coach for the way he is making him not just a better player on the pitch, but off it.

Roberts acknowledged: “He has definitely made me a better player. He’s changed my lifestyle, on the pitch and off the pitch.

“I am eating a lot cleaner now, I feel like I am in a lot better shape, fitter than I was before.

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“On the pitch, I would say my movement and my running off the ball has improved the most.

“He has shown me a lot of things that I would never have picked up on had he not shown me.

“I know I am still young and can still learn, but the amount of stuff I actually have learnt (is something) I didn’t think would be possible.”

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