Leeds United drew a very rare blank as Daniel Farke’s side were beaten for only the fourth time across the whole Championship campaign away to Portsmouth on Sunday.
As Joel Piroe misplaced his shooting boots, Junior Firpo clattered the crossbar and Nicolas Schmid dominated the Man of the Match polls, the most prolific team in England’s second tier could not find an answer to Colby Bishop’s Fratton Park winner.
Though certainly not for a lack of trying.
One day earlier, however, a former Leeds United player did find the net. And that was noteworthy because, until heading home the opener during Northampton Town’s 2-1 win at Leyton Orient, Tyler Roberts had not hit the target since January 2023.
A barren run which ran for over two years, and for a total of 43 games.
A run which, mercifully, has now come to an end. Much to the delight of his manager, the former Newcastle, West Ham and Bolton Wanderers favourite Kevin Nolan.
Tyler Roberts finally scores first goal since leaving Leeds United permanently
“We’ve had a conversation and I’ve just told Tyler that I want him to express himself out on the pitch because I think he can be the player who can unlock a defence for us and give you those special moments,” Nolan explains, Roberts’ crashing header helping secure Northampton their first win in foru games.
“You saw that with his performance today.
“When we get him up to speed, I think we’ll see plenty more goals and goal involvements because he’s a really good player and he’s also a really good lad to work with.”
The mere fact that Roberts now finds himself playing for a team 17th in League One – only a couple of years after he was a regular under Marcelo Bielsa in the Premier League – highlights the sheer speed the Wales international’s fall from grace.
Roberts joined Northampton on loan last summer after he was deemed not worthy of playing a major role in Birmingham City’s title charge.
Nolan is now hoping that, after two months out injured, the best is yet to come from a footballer with a reputation to restore.
“I’m looking forward to hopefully keeping him fit for the rest of the season,” Nolan adds. “And seeing him continue to work hard and produce more performances like that.”
“It’s great to see Tyler get his goal,” beams Northampton teammate Cameron McGeehan, Roberts clearly a popular member of the Cobblers camp. “He deserved it because he was really good for us today with the way he kept the ball and created stuff.”
Former Marcelo Bielsa favourite delighted to end hoodoo
The only disappointment is that Northampton’s next fixture sees them welcome league leaders Birmingham to Sixfields. As such, Roberts will be unavailable against his parent club.
A player Leeds United once spent £2.5 million on when still a teenager denied the chance to show The Blues first-hand what they are missing.
“It’s a bit frustrating that the Birmingham one comes now. Obviously getting the goal, you want to carry on the run,” Roberts admits, speaks to BBC Radio Northampton.
“[A goal] been a long time coming and I’m a bit annoyed that I didn’t get a few more! It plays on the back of your mind. You have to try and remain confident and keep focusing on trying to get the next one but at the end of the day, you’ve got to put the ball in the back of the net and I’m happy to do so.”
“It’s nice to get the recognition, that’s what gives you the buzz in football. Going out there and fans signing your name, that’s what you dreamed of as a kid. To hear that any time is a great feeling.”
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