The statistics behind Patrick Roberts' Reading display after Manchester City nets first goal for Middlesbrough
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.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdYet 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.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdIn 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.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdDespite 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.