MX23RW : Friday, December 13 02:38:24| >> :120:19918:19918:

Tyler Roberts: 'Taking the knee has lost its impact'

Tyler Roberts: 'Taking the knee has lost its impact'
© Reuters
Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha recently became the first Premier League player not to make the gesture since Project Restart in June.

Tyler Roberts feels taking the knee has lost its impact ahead of Wales' opening 2022 World Cup qualifier in Belgium.

It has not yet been decided whether Wales' players will continue to take the knee for this week's World Cup qualifiers against Belgium and the Czech Republic and the Cardiff friendly with Mexico.

Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha recently became the first Premier League player not to make the gesture since Project Restart in June.

Crystal Palace v West Bromwich Albion – Premier League – Selhurst Park
Wilfried Zaha stands while players take a knee prior to the Crystal Palace-West Brom game earlier this month (Mike Hewitt/PA)

Zaha said the action had "just become a part of the pre-match routine" and failed to prevent black players from receiving abuse on social media platforms.

"It is a great thing that brings all the players together and the football world should be proud of that," Leeds forward Roberts said ahead of Wales' trip to Leuven.

"But it is not doing too much when you see the social media abuse that has been going on the past weeks and months. I feel it has lost its impact.

"It is concerning as it is too easy for these people to create these accounts to send abusive comments and get away with it.

"It is something that needs to happen a lot higher up."

Roberts has started the last six games for Leeds in a number 10 role behind Patrick Bamford.

The 22-year-old has shown some impressive form since Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa placed his faith in him with a starting role.

But the 11-times capped Roberts has yet to score in the Premier League, and he said: "That's something I know I need to add to my game.

"I need to get into more positions to score those goals.

"It's been frustrating, not scoring yet. I've been hard on myself for not scoring but I have faith it will happen."

With skipper Gareth Bale and Daniel James expected to fill the wide positions, Roberts would appear to be challenging Cardiff striker Kieffer Moore for a place in Wales' front three.

"Any position I can get minutes in I'm easy," Roberts said. "Thinking of the future I see myself as a number nine and prefer playing nine.

"Number 10 is a position I've kind of learned and had to study over the last few years. But I'm comfortable playing there."

ID:440351: cacheID:440351:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:13177:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Leeds United's Tyler Roberts pictured in December 2018
Read Next:
Tyler Roberts determined to stake Wales claim with Leeds performances
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
1.15am
Rams
@
49ers
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd20135228111742
2Leeds UnitedLeeds20125336142241
3Burnley2010822471738
4Sunderland20107329151437
5Blackburn RoversBlackburn1910452317634
6West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom2071122314932
7Middlesbrough209473425931
8Watford199462725231
9Swansea CitySwansea207672119227
10Norwich CityNorwich206863530526
11Bristol City206862525026
12Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds207582329-626
13Millwall196762017325
14Preston North EndPreston2041062026-622
15Luton TownLuton2064102335-1222
16Coventry CityCoventry205692529-421
17Derby CountyDerby205692226-421
18Stoke CityStoke205692126-521
19Queens Park RangersQPR204972026-621
20Oxford UnitedOxford Utd194692030-1018
21Portsmouth183872130-917
22Cardiff CityCardiff1945101730-1317
23Plymouth ArgylePlymouth1945101940-2117
24Hull City2037101828-1016


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!