The statistics behind Patrick Roberts' Reading display after Manchester City nets first goal for Middlesbrough

Patrick Roberts scored a decisive winner in Middlesbrough’s 2-1 win at Reading on Tuesday – but just how good was the playmaker’s performance?
Patrick Roberts and Marcus Tavernier celebrate Middlesbrough's winner against Reading.Patrick Roberts and Marcus Tavernier celebrate Middlesbrough's winner against Reading.
Patrick Roberts and Marcus Tavernier celebrate Middlesbrough's winner against Reading.

Despite a lengthy hamstring injury, the 23-year-old has impressed most Boro supporters since his loan arrival from Manchester City in January, yet some have questioned his end product in recent weeks.

Roberts dropped out of Boro’s starting XI for the games against Millwall and Bristol City earlier this month, as manager Neil Warnock switched to a back three with wing-backs.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Yet Roberts returned to the side to face Reading in an advanced central position playing just behind Ashley Fletcher, and marked his recall with a goal and assist at the Madejski Stadium.

Warnock said after the game he felt Roberts could cause more problems operating through the middle rather than on the right.

That certainly proved the case, with the playmaker assisting six chances which led to direct shots, according to football database Wyscout. That’s the same number as his three previous starts combined, against Stoke, Hull and QPR.

Despite his obvious dribbling ability, the main criticism of Roberts was his off-target shooting.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In his five appearances since the season restarted, the Manchester City loanee had attempted 10 efforts at goal, yet not one forced the keeper into action.

Against Reading, though, Roberts’ two shots at goal were both on target, with the second beating goalkeeper Rafael Cabral to make it 2-1.

Roberts can also draw opposition defenders when running with the ball, and he completed six out of nine attempted dribbles (67 per cent) at the Madejski Stadium.

Aside from the 1-0 defeat by QPR, when 12 of his 15 dribbles were successful, his figures against Reading were the best he’s recorded in a Boro shirt.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Despite starting in a central position, Roberts still produced five crosses into the box against the Royals, with all of them coming from the right.

Only two of them were met by Boro team-mates, including his assist for Fletcher’s equaliser, yet that’s the most crosses Roberts has attempted in a match this season.

Roberts’ performance at Reading was his best yet for the Teessiders. What a time to produce it.

A message from the Editor:

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to the Hartlepool Mail website and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit here to sign up. You can subscribe to the newspaper with 20% off here. Thank you.