Connor Roberts

[KRBFC]

Why criticise, it's working really well.

I didn't criticise anything? you read my post wrong.

I was saying criticism shouldn't be aimed towards Roberts because of the role VK is asking him to play.

[Funkydrummer]

He's Welsh!!!

[BFC12345678]

I’m going to predict that after the World Cup he’s going to get a lot better. Understandable from him if his heads currently all on playing for Wales at the WC.

[RVclaret]

I know he's playing a half and half role but he still has not really impressed me and I think Lowton could do that role better, as I said. If we wanted to change the role I think Vitinho would be better too.
He's not bad but I'm far from convinced he's the best option for the role.

While Lowton would be okay, Roberts has more pace for the higher line we play, faster recovery running and much greater engine for getting up and down, at times, past the winger. He is also more used to playing out from the back, which he’s been part of at Swansea all of his career. Lowton was dropped under Jackson as he didn’t have the stamina or pace to do this and has spent 5 years in Dyche’s framework system. I think Roberts has actually been playing quite well and was a big part in goal number 2 the other night.

[123EasyasBFC]

I don’t agree that it has to be too open, particularly in this league. We’ve amassed quite a stock of technical players and as they settle, I wouldn’t be at all surprised if the full backs are both given license to push on. It could give us more opportunity to overload the midfield and stretch the opposition further.

If I remember rightly, from the analysis of Kompany’s tactics at Anderlecht, the full backs both pushed on and it was Cullen that dropped back to form a three.

So far, we’ve seen a slight variation of this with the Roberts moving across, though Cullen does still come short. With Cork there as well, even if a little further advanced, there’s a further safety net.

Kompany isn’t copying his tactics from anderlect, at anderlect he played 2 out and out strikers, something with the business we have done doesn’t look like we will be doing

[hoskinsgoalatswansea]

I’m going to predict that after the World Cup he’s going to get a lot better. Understandable from him if his heads currently all on playing for Wales at the WC.

I’ve never really understood this kind of statement. Do you mean that whilst he’s playing for us he’s daydreaming about the World Cup? Surely it’s not difficult to just focus on the job in hand. It’s just playing games of footy at the end of the day. Let’s call it what it is.

[boatshed bill]

I didn't criticise anything? you read my post wrong.

I was saying criticism shouldn't be aimed towards Roberts because of the role VK is asking him to play.

You have an uncanny knack of getting the wrong end of the stick.
You say criticism shouldn't be aimed at Roberts, I'm saying there is no need for criticism, it's all working well.

[BFC12345678]

I’ve never really understood this kind of statement. Do you mean that whilst he’s playing for us he’s daydreaming about the World Cup? Surely it’s not difficult to just focus on the job in hand. It’s just playing games of footy at the end of the day. Let’s call it what it is.

He’s clearly very passionate about Wales & playing for his country. Other people have noted how much his face lights up when Wales games get brought up to him. Not saying it’s right or wrong but I can imagine his head might be looking forward to the World Cup and making sure he’s not getting injured for that.

[boatshed bill]

He’s clearly very passionate about Wales & playing for his country. Other people have noted how much his face lights up when Wales games get brought up to him. Not saying it’s right or wrong but I can imagine his head might be looking forward to the World Cup and making sure he’s not getting injured for that.

He really is very much looking forward to the world cup, of course he is.
Some people need to watch the interview.

[BFC12345678]

He really is very much looking forward to the world cup, of course he is.
Some people need to watch the interview.

I have. I meant he might be more focused on that right now as it’s such a big deal and probably the only chance he’s gonna get to play at one.
I like him and think he’s been alright this season but I think we’ll see the best of him once the distraction of a World Cup is out of the way.

[Goody1975]

While Lowton would be okay, Roberts has more pace for the higher line we play, faster recovery running and much greater engine for getting up and down, at times, past the winger.

I'd say the pace element is not as cut and dried as you'd think, if Roberts is quicker it's marginal.

It's my biggest issue with Roberts playing the role he does, when we do turn the ball over he is often really struggling to get back to cover.

[Swizzlestick]

I’ve been disappointed overall. Everything seems to be hard work to him and he seems a little ungainly. Not what I expected though I appreciate he is fulfilling a unique role at the moment which clearly VK is happy with.

[KRBFC]

You have an uncanny knack of getting the wrong end of the stick.
You say criticism shouldn't be aimed at Roberts, I'm saying there is no need for criticism, it's all working well.

I agree, if you read my post I was defending Roberts not criticising him.

[ClaretPete001]

I’ve been disappointed overall. Everything seems to be hard work to him and he seems a little ungainly. Not what I expected though I appreciate he is fulfilling a unique role at the moment which clearly VK is happy with.

I'm not sure whether he is happy or otherwise tbh.

I think playing JBG on the right creates a midfield 5 and not the 4-2-2-2 that VK seems to want to play.

Vitinho and Maatsen seem trusted to play that wing back role on the Left but not Roberts because we've had both Costelloe and JBG playing wide right.

[thehistorylecturer1]

Nice lad - seems happy enough

[boatshed bill]

I'm not sure whether he is happy or otherwise tbh.

I think playing JBG on the right creates a midfield 5 and not the 4-2-2-2 that VK seems to want to play.

Vitinho and Maatsen seem trusted to play that wing back role on the Left but not Roberts because we've had both Costelloe and JBG playing wide right.

Isn't that more to do with him dropping into the back line when required?

[ClaretPete001]

Isn't that more to do with him dropping into the back line when required?

No because that is Cullen or Cork's job.

The wing backs create a back 4 when we are defending and a midfield 4 when attacking with Cullen or Cork dropping into the back line to create a defensive 3.

By luck of good foresight VK played a blinder by pulling JBG because up to the hour mark Millwall were still in it.

Once Benson came on that pace down the right sorted the problem against a very pedestrian left back who had begun to bully Roberts and JBG and that pulled their midfield unit back and to their left allowing Vitinho and Tella to push forward on their right.

The problem is Brownhill alongside JBG is playing the right side of the forward 2 in midfield but Tella is having to play the left role and supporting striker.

I thought it was very evident against Millwall - but what do I know?

[boatshed bill]

No because that is Cullen or Cork's job.

The wing backs create a back 4 when we are defending and a midfield 4 when attacking with Cullen or Cork dropping into the back line to create a defensive 3.

By luck of good foresight VK played a blinder by pulling JBG because up to the hour mark Millwall were still in it.

Once Benson came on that pace down the right sorted the problem against a very pedestrian left back who had begun to bully Roberts and JBG and that pulled their midfield unit back and to their left allowing Vitinho and Tella to push forward on their right.

The problem is Brownhill alongside JBG is playing the right side of the forward 2 in midfield but Tella is having to play the left role and supporting striker.

I thought it was very evident against Millwall - but what do I know?

I'm not sure you are getting this, Roberts tucks in to make a back 3 on plenty of occasions.

[CoolClaret]

I'm not sure whether he is happy or otherwise tbh.

I think playing JBG on the right creates a midfield 5 and not the 4-2-2-2 that VK seems to want to play.

Vitinho and Maatsen seem trusted to play that wing back role on the Left but not Roberts because we've had both Costelloe and JBG playing wide right.

We’ve been playing a tweak of that system and yeah overloading midfield deliberately

[ClaretPete001]

I'm not sure you are getting this, Roberts tucks in to make a back 3 on plenty of occasions.

I don't know what it is I'm supposed to not be getting because I didn't say Roberts doesn't tuck into the back 3.

[ClaretPete001]

We’ve been playing a tweak of that system and yeah overloading midfield deliberately

We've been overloading the right side of midfield - whether that's deliberate or not is open to conjecture, which is what I'm doing...!

[Healeywoodclaret]

Wasn't it Roberts who started all the trouble with Weghorst? Good player but maybe a bit of a bad apple, hopefully VK can sort him out and get rid of any attitude problems

I don't think he started any trouble. He was playing for Wales, we had just been relegated, Weghorst scored against Wales and Roberts being fired up simply asked "Why couldn't you do that for Burnley?". Commendable really. Bad Apple very harsh IMO.

[Healeywoodclaret]

I never like slating a current player but he has been a colossal disappointment. For all the expectation that he would set this division alright he's not delivered. I think Lowton offers more at both ends and could play his role, and I'm certainly not ruling Vitinho out of the role with his performances and movement, plus even if he'd play differently it would give us two real attacking supports from the back.
I really thought he'd impress in this division and setup and he just hasn't. Don't know what it is with him and have to admit I get attitude vibes, especially when his missus was grumbling on social media last season. This is his year to step up and show what he's capable of.

What's this about his wife grumbling on social media? If she is chewing his ear off this will unsettle him and as said earlier he us only 26.

[Healeywoodclaret]

Without going into too much detail my son married a girl from Wales. She simply couldn't cope outside of Wales either, she was like a fish out of water and they ended up back in Wales. You only need to watch Gavin and Stacey to see how strange the Welsh are and see the funny side. With regard to his passion when playing for Wales... Nothing wrong with that at all.. Aren't we all passionate about where we were born. I know I am!

[evensteadiereddie]

I don't think he started any trouble. He was playing for Wales, we had just been relegated, Weghorst scored against Wales and Roberts being fired up simply asked "Why couldn't you do that for Burnley?". Commendable really. Bad Apple very harsh IMO.

More stupid than very harsh.

[CoolClaret]

We've been overloading the right side of midfield - whether that's deliberate or not is open to conjecture, which is what I'm doing...!

Our average squad positions during games wouldn’t suggest that (see below for average positions against Wigan and Milwall)

Trying to create overloads wherever there is space/personnel to exploit

[RVclaret]

Our average squad positions during games wouldn’t suggest that (see below for average positions against Wigan and Milwall)

Trying to create overloads wherever there is space/personnel to exploit

https://medium.com/@nategilman513/match ... e473c4f144

This is an interesting write up by someone on the slight tactical tweak for these two matches.

[Mattster]

Personally don't see any attitude issues with Roberts, all seems invented to me and picking up on select details to fit a narrative.

In terms of his role in the team it seems pretty clear to me that Roberts is being asked to move into the right side of central midfield when we're attacking to allow Brownhill to really bomb on. Unlike at Anderlecht, Cullen is often dropping into more of a left back position (whereas at Anderlecht he dropped into right back) during buildup. Roberts is playing the kind of wing back role that Pep has championed, I think he's doing what has been asked of him - he isn't regularly allowed to do what Maatsen/Vitinho have been doing at left back as it would leave a massive hole down the right side of the pitch.

Kompany hasn't just transplanted his Anderlecht system into Burnley, he's adapted it to fit the players he has at his disposal which is a good thing.

[ClaretPete001]

Our average squad positions during games wouldn’t suggest that (see below for average positions against Wigan and Milwall)

Trying to create overloads wherever there is space/personnel to exploit

You'd have to elaborate because to my eyes those images don't necessarily seem to reflect your point.

[ClaretPete001]

Personally don't see any attitude issues with Roberts, all seems invented to me and picking up on select details to fit a narrative.

In terms of his role in the team it seems pretty clear to me that Roberts is being asked to move into the right side of central midfield when we're attacking to allow Brownhill to really bomb on. Unlike at Anderlecht, Cullen is often dropping into more of a left back position (whereas at Anderlecht he dropped into right back) during buildup. Roberts is playing the kind of wing back role that Pep has championed, I think he's doing what has been asked of him - he isn't regularly allowed to do what Maatsen/Vitinho have been doing at left back as it would leave a massive hole down the right side of the pitch.

Kompany hasn't just transplanted his Anderlecht system into Burnley, he's adapted it to fit the players he has at his disposal which is a good thing.

That is pretty much what I said other than leaving a massive hole down the left side of the pitch doesn't seem a good idea either.

[Elizabeth]

It has to be said , that was a woeful performance from him tonight throughout nearly the entire match.

[Swizzlestick]

Had enough of him tbh. He’s played under two, very different, managers now and hasn’t shown anywhere near enough. Rather see Vitinho or Lowton there.

[Woodleyclaret]

Put in some great tackles but missed clearing the ball for their equaliser

[Lancasterclaret]

He was fine defensively until the last minute (and as I've said on the ratings thread he probably expected it not to reach him and his body shape wasn't set for anything other than not letting it go past him), a bit sloppy in possession but was overall ok

He certainly wasn't the worst full back in last nights performance!

[RVclaret]

He was fine defensively until the last minute (and as I've said on the ratings thread he probably expected it not to reach him and his body shape wasn't set for anything other than not letting it go past him), a bit sloppy in possession but was overall ok

He certainly wasn't the worst full back in last nights performance!

Completely agree. Kept Diangana pretty quiet throughout.

[Quicknick]

I’m going to predict that after the World Cup he’s going to get a lot better. Understandable from him if his heads currently all on playing for Wales at the WC.

Not understandable at all. He's paid a lot of money to do a job for us. I am not being cricial of his performance last night.

[Darnhill Claret]

These are the times we have to be solid as supporters and back our players. They will make mistakes and have occasional poor games. Why do we always have to hang them out to dry?
Don’t get me wrong I was fuming for the last 15 minutes of the game but maybe let’s give them credit for holding out for so long and battling for the point we won.
I decided not to post until this morning as I didn’t want to over react. VK didn’t have that luxury so his comments after the game were great and more measured than mine would have been.

[evensteadiereddie]

Seconds away from taking a great three points from a very established Championship
side in their own midden and Roberts is daydreaming about the World Cup?
What absolute ********.
This season's first scapegoat..... he'll not be the last.

[Dingo]

He was fine defensively until the last minute (and as I've said on the ratings thread he probably expected it not to reach him and his body shape wasn't set for anything other than not letting it go past him), a bit sloppy in possession but was overall ok

He certainly wasn't the worst full back in last nights performance!

This is pretty much how I saw it. West Brom pressed us really well which inevitably leads to more passes going wrong.

[Steve-Harpers-perm]

As above he defended well last night and then made a mistake at the end as others will this season. Probably need to get over it.

[123EasyasBFC]

It’s a sloppy touch from roberts but i do think BPF semi looking like he was gonna catch the ball didn’t help at all. Muric with his height probably saves the goal also.

We deserved a point at Watford and didn’t get one and last night probably could of easily been 4 down at half time, they all even out

[Steve1956]

And here we have it....a new scapegoat,this board simply wouldn't be but for a scapegoat,get off the lads back FFS one defeat all season with him in the team,and many on here want him replaced...pathetic.

[KlyBfc]

There were a lot worse performances than Roberts. He was a little unlucky with the goal, he just couldn’t move his feet fast enough and the lad took it well.

[bumba]

Never recovered from the tackle at half time he didn't move right again all game which is probably why he couldn't adjust his body to let the ball go past him but that's HIS fault for being dishonest to his manager and team mates he should of asked to come off.
Unfortunately he's the weak link at present

[Sheedyclaret]

Been woeful most games doesn’t look interested last night he was shocking give lowts a run out

[Steve-Harpers-perm]

Never recovered from the tackle at half time he didn't move right again all game which is probably why he couldn't adjust his body to let the ball go past him but that's HIS fault for being dishonest to his manager and team mates he should of asked to come off.
Unfortunately he's the weak link at present

Are you the club physio?

[GDK]

All the "old" players are having to adapt to the new tactics and new positions. I'd argue Roberts' role has changed the most, and is probably the most difficult to do well. It is so different from being a standard right fullback, he will be having to think far more about positioning as it won't be instinctive for a while yet.

He's doing absolutely fine and will get better with time, so long as he gets support rather than abuse for an occasional costly error.

[bobinho]

No I don’t believe he’s become/becoming a scapegoat.

Suggestions that he should really have dealt with the ball are fair enough.
Suggestions that defensively he did ok overall are fair enough.
Suggestions that he hasn’t ripped it up like some were expecting are fair enough.
Suggestions that his head is already at the WC? Well, I don’t know about that but it WAS just a suggestion as to why he hasn’t fulfilled (as yet) his potential.

I have been underwhelmed by him since he arrived, but maybe I was being unrealistic in expecting more from him. He’s not a bad player, and he LOOKS busy all the time, but he doesn’t have the impact for us that he does for Wales. Maybe due to the set up he never will.

There have been times when Lowton would have been a better choice in games for sure, but maybe I’m that old fashioned in that I want my right back to be just that. VK doesn’t and that’s ok.
I try to bear that in mind before criticising but sometimes it’s difficult after conceding so late in a drawn game that it feels like a defeat. The timing (and rawness of that feeling) makes it especially difficult for people to ignore when a player should really have dealt with a situation but didn’t.

So I don’t think he’s become a scapegoat, I think he’s just not quite as good as we’d hoped, he goes missing for periods of the game and he finds himself out of position quite a lot because he’s still finding his place in this new set up. Calling out his mistakes on here is fair enough, but I’d hope he starts the next game with a clean sheet in the stands.

[bumba]

Are you the club physio?

No but it's pretty obvious to spot when a player is walking with a limp

[Colburn_Claret]

A strange one is Roberts, I'd start off by saying I really like the guy, although he's never hit the heights for Burnley that he seemed to reach for Swansea or Wales.
He is on record as saying he is playing a different role this season, as requested by VK, and that the coaches are happy and giving him positive feedback. So it is unfair for anyone to knock him on that ground.

His personality is the odd one, he seems very open and honest, such as he can hear all the moaning coming from the Bob Lord Stand on match days, but he also comes across as if he couldn't care less about the Bob Lord Stand. In the era of players kissing the badge and playing to the crowd, he appears to play for the manager and team, and the fans are irrelevant.

I don't take this as a slight on Burnley, imo he would have the same attitude wherever he was plying his trade. So I doubt he will ever be a fans favourite, and I doubt he's bothered, but he does deserve better support from us than he regularly receives. We need to better understand what he is doing within the system and have patience.
I thought he looked poor early doors playing with Vitinho and Benson in front of him, but loads better playing with JBG. I've noticed that when he carries the ball through the middle JBG will drop back and cover his area. If he goes down the line JBG will move inside and create the space for him to overlap. Vitinho and Benson don't do that, they just stay on the touchline and rob him of the space, and the cover. It's a learning curve for all of them, and it will take time, but I'm sure Roberts will be an asset when it all clicks.