Allardyce offers Roberts hope
Sam Allardyce has told Jason Roberts that the out-of-favour striker could still have a future at the club.
Roberts was put on the transfer list during pre-season and has not been given a squad number by the Premier League club. However, the Blackburn manager says that Roberts will be given every chance to get back into the team if he is still at the club by the end of the transfer window.
Blackburn are looking to offload the striker because of his inconsistency in attack. He has scored only 19 goals in 99 appearances for the club, which is not a prolific record.
However, Roberts still has a number of qualities that would make him a key striker at the club or any other club that may choose to sign him. The writing could be on the wall though if Roberts does not find a new club soon.
Player qualities
Roberts is the sort of striker that does not have set role in attack. He can drop off of the front to come and collect the ball and get others involved in the play. Alternatively he can play up front on his own and hold the ball up for other attacking players.
Although Roberts is now 32 years of age, he is still capable of very quick bursts of speed. This allows him to get away from most defenders for goal scoring chances or simply draw fouls in specific areas of the pitch.
Roberts is very good in the air and this is not a weapon that all strikers possess. It allows him to be a thorn in the side of the opposition from set plays such as free kicks and corners.
Allardyce said: "I have decided he is available for transfer and if I play him, I could risk him getting injured. That would be the wrong thing to do. We have made a decision between us and we will see what develops in the next eight days."
Writing on the wall
Some people will suggest that any chance of Roberts staying at Blackburn is pure romantic thinking because it is clear that the manager and the player do not have common ground they can agree on.
If Roberts does not work out a permanent deal by the end of the transfer window then he may well go out on loan to another club until a permanent move can be arranged. There is no point in asking a player to stay on at a club where it is clear that the club do not require him.
Allardyce added: "If he doesn't go anywhere, then he doesn't go anywhere. It is about being here and knuckling down and getting on with it, if that is the case. He would like to move on and if that is the case, we could use what money we get in to maybe top up someone else we haven't targeted at the moment."
Betting advice
Blackburn were never going to have a chance of title success this season and Roberts' presence at the club will make no difference to this. The best way for Blackburn is to go match by match and back key players who are likely to pop up with goals.
Roberts can still do a job in the Premier League. Wait and see if he joins a new club by the end of the transfer window. If he is forced to move to a Championship club, then back him to score in every game because he'll be extremely productive at that level of football and could be top scorer by the end of the season.
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