Northampton Town manager Jon Brady faces a crucial decision regarding new signing Tyler Roberts as the Cobblers prepare for their weekend clash against Wycombe Wanderers.
Roberts, who joined Northampton on loan from Birmingham City late on deadline day, could make his debut in Saturday’s match at Sixfields, depending on how he performs in training this week.
The 25-year-old forward has had limited game time recently and did not feature much during pre-season, leaving Brady with a potential selection headache. “Tyler’s game-time has been limited, and he’s not had that many minutes in pre-season either, so we’ll have to assess whether we need to build him up or whether he can go straight in,” Brady told the Northampton Chronicle.
“We’ll do what we feel is right,” Brady added. Roberts’ inclusion is even more tempting for Brady as the team faces a tight 12:30 pm kickoff against Wycombe, and the manager is looking for the right balance in the squad. He also noted the potential return of Tariqe Fosu, which could bolster his attacking options.
Despite the possibility of adding Roberts to the squad, Brady praised the efforts of his existing players. “I feel those selection headaches will come, but the players who have been playing have had a good, solid start. We haven’t been totally outstanding, but we’ve been strong and steady so far and really competitive in every single game.”
Roberts, who has 20 caps for Wales, is no stranger to English football. He began his career at West Bromwich Albion, featuring in a handful of matches but gaining significant experience through loan spells at clubs like Oxford United, Shrewsbury Town, and Walsall. In January 2018, Roberts made a notable move to Leeds United, where he played over 100 games and scored nine goals. His time at Leeds included helping the club secure promotion to the Premier League in the 2019-20 season under Marcelo Bielsa.
After spending the 2022-23 season on loan at Queens Park Rangers, Roberts joined Birmingham City in the summer of 2023. However, his stay at Birmingham was short-lived as he moved to Northampton Town on a season-long loan, adding experience and versatility to the Cobblers’ attack for their League One campaign.
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Roberts’ arrival gives Brady more depth in the forward positions, but it also creates a balancing act. Throwing the Welsh international straight into the starting lineup may be risky, given his limited minutes in recent months. Brady will have to weigh up whether Roberts can handle the intensity of a competitive match without risking injury.
That said, adding a player of Roberts’ quality to the squad is a huge boost for Northampton. His experience in the Premier League and Championship should provide the Cobblers with a cutting edge. However, patience may be required as Roberts builds his match fitness.
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