Since his arrival at Leeds, Kemar Roofe has played in several attacking positions in several formations under many managers.
In some of these positions he was not too successful but created a few chances and assists, and scored a few goals.
Along came Bielsa, and he wanted a loan striker to score the goals, and to be fair to Roofe he has done a fairly good job with 10 goals and 2 assists, but, we now have Bamford coming back who is a 'Centre Forward', so what do we do to have both on the pitch at the same time?
We have lost Saiz who, on his day was unplayable, but very frustrating, and this season was not creating many chances or scoring any goals.
So, when we signed Roofe he was playing as an attacking midfielder/ second central forward for Oxford. He scored goals for fun. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aai33fVp_-A
So with the magic that Bielsa seems to have with players why not have Roofe as the Saiz replacement with Bamford as the loan central striker with a very close foil that is Roofe. Then use the Saiz wages/money to get the winger and CB we all know we need and want.
Roofe has great close control, can score close in or from distance, can attack defenders and has great pass accuracy when in tight areas, he also can tackle, something that Saiz seemed uninterested in and runs for 90 minutes.
What better way to worry defenses than having both Roofe and Bamford coming at you, rather than just one of them.
Maybe a bit of a left field idea, but players have changed from their previously preferred positions and improved, Kalvin 'Pirlo' Phillips for instance, and become a revelation.
So why not Roofe.
Kemar Roofe, the new Allan Clarke?
posted on 22/12/18
We start playing him there and we lose his effectiveness should he play the lone striker role.
Roofe should be played up front or not at all.
If that means him and Bamford are slugging it out to start then so be it.
posted on 22/12/18
....in fairness to your suggestion, wouldn't be a bit surprised if MB hasn't already mulled it over.
posted on 22/12/18
Don't think MB is one for playing players out of position at this stage of the season, he sorted out who can play where in preseason and sticks to it, he might get someone in but finding the right sort of player in January isn't easy, most available won't have been playing regularly so won't be at the required fitness level, need a keeper but won't be too worried if we don't sign anyone,
posted on 22/12/18
Hahahaha really ?
posted on 22/12/18
I think it's a decent thing to try, but perhaps against one of the lower teams to see how it goes.
Between the two I suspect that Bamford is the more natural striker, but Roofe is a very close second.
I agree that having both on the pitch in attacking roles at the same time would give the opposition a lot to think about, but can't see Bielsa changing tactics at this stage in the season.
posted on 22/12/18
You could play a 532 to allow them both to play with Philips just playing in front of Cooper and Pontus
Not sure we'd change formation now though
Bpf
Ayling
Douglas
Pontus
Cooper
Philips
Forshaw
Klich
Pablo
Roofe
Bamford
posted on 22/12/18
At this level roofe isn't effective as a winger, so why put him there? Seems daft to want to take his goals out of the team.
posted on 22/12/18
I like the idea of Roofe and Bamford together. They are quality players and if they can gel, as Roofe suggests in the YP, they could be quite a handful.
However, changing formation for a crucial match is not Bielsa's style, and I suspect Roofe will get the nod while Bamford gets up to speed. I wouldn't be surprised to see both of them on the pitch if we go a goal down.
We have a settled midfield who are getting great value out of the one striker system, while making it hard for teams to break us down.
All the same, I would love to see us doing to Villa what we did to Derby and Norwich. Let Clarke have a go at Chester and Hutton and we could hurt them.
posted on 22/12/18
comment by 🎤Mike drop🎤 (U15513)
posted 4 hours, 24 minutes ago
At this level roofe isn't effective as a winger, so why put him there? Seems daft to want to take his goals out of the team.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Where did I say play Roofe as a winger, and when did Allan Clarke play as a winger, or Saiz for that matter!!.
I said play Roofe around and off the shoulder of Bamford in a central attacking midfielder role.
posted on 24/12/18
He's nowhere near Clarke but he's getting better and proving to be a good Championship striker. His conversion rate is poor compared to other leading goal scorers but he can score with his head, either foot and his hand.
I'm very pleased by his work rate and if we had the chance to play his alongside Bamford, then it would make for a positive striking partnership.
Not convinced he's Premier League quality though.