MX23RW : Monday, April 5 19:18:55| >> :600:103142:103142:

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:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Did you know...?
Leeds United's Tyler Roberts pictured in December 2018
Read Next:
Tyler Roberts determined to stake Wales claim with Leeds performances
>

rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Premier League
Championship
La Liga
Primeira Liga
League One
League Two
National League
National League North
National League South
Scottish Cup
Turkish Super Lig
Belgian Pro League
Swiss Super League
Russian Premier League
Norwegian Eliteserien
Danish Superliga
Segunda Division
Serie B
2.Bundesliga
Ligue 2
Eerste Divisie
Copa Diego Maradona
Uruguayan Primera Division
Liga MX
Australian A-League
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City31235366214574
2Manchester UnitedMan Utd30179458332560
3Leicester CityLeicester30175853341956
4Chelsea30149746301651
5West Ham UnitedWest Ham30148845351050
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs30147951321949
7Liverpool30147951361549
8Everton29145104138347
9Aston Villa291351142311144
10Arsenal30126124035542
11Leeds UnitedLeeds30133144748-142
12Crystal Palace30108123248-1638
13Wolverhampton WanderersWolves3099122838-1036
14Southampton30106143953-1436
15Burnley3089132440-1633
16Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton30711123338-532
17Newcastle UnitedNewcastle3078153050-2029
18Fulham31511152441-1726
19West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom3049172559-3421
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3042241752-3514

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!