Tyler Roberts must fear Marcelo Bielsa’s ruthless streak after Tom Pearce demise

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Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa is never afraid to be ruthless with his tactical and personnel changes. Whether that is playing a player out of position, taking them off at half-time or even inflicting the highest indignity. Bielsa is not afraid to sub a player off after they have already been subbed on. 

The latest person to find this out the hard way was Welsh international Tyler Roberts. He continued his comeback from injury by coming on at half-time for the injured Jamie Shackleton against former club West Brom on Tuesday night.

It was a move that failed to click for Leeds. Bielsa, therefore, made a big decision. With Leeds 1-0 up but losing control of the game, he brought on Luke Ayling to strengthen the side’s defensive options. 

Of course, Roberts may not have much to worry about. Tactically, Leeds were struggling once he came into the game and he is just returning from an injury problem. 

However, he will need to be careful. 

Bielsa has done this with a Leeds player before. Last October, Tom Pearce was hauled off after entering the 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest but failing to impress the Argentine. In January, he befell the same fate again in the FA Cup loss to QPR. 

Pearce was subsequently loaned out to Scunthorpe and this summer sold to Wigan Athletic. 

Roberts will need to make sure he does not follow the same path.