Tyler Roberts confident Leeds United team-mate Patrick Bamford will prosper

Leeds substitute Tyler Roberts celebrates his second goal at Hull City. Picture: Tony Johnson.

In three minutes as a substitute at the KCOM Stadium, Roberts scored as many goals – two – as Bamford has since Christmas.

The Whites’ first-choice No 9 always seems to be under pressure when he is not scoring goals, and the 3-2 win at Millwall is the only time Bamford has found the net since December.

With Jean-Kevin Augustin injured and unable to push for selection, Roberts’ cameo was significant. But like coach, Marcelo Bielsa, Roberts does not measure centre-forward performances purely in how many times they find the net.

“I don’t think it’s much to do with the goals,” he argued. “We need to score goals but Patrick gives a lot to the team and strikers have these runs. I’ve been through it, of course, at the end of last season. It’s not nice.

“We’re all confident he can hit the target and score goals. We’ve seen it often enough in training, it’s just getting that first one, I think.

“It’s frustrating for everyone when chances go begging.

“It’s not just Pat that’s missing chances or anyone in particular but we do have a lot of possession and we do create a lot of chances. On Saturday we showed we can put them away and be clinical (beating Hull City 4-0).

Leeds United's Patrick Bamford sees his close-range chance go wide against Bristol City. Picture: Bruce Rollinson

“I grew up playing that position. Last season I went into the 10 role which I really do like playing but I still feel I can play as a No 9. To be trusted in that role for a team like Leeds is a big thing. It’s good for me.”

Four consecutive wins have lifted hopes Leeds can win automatic promotion and Roberts finds the prospect of taking the club back into the Premier League for the first time since 2004 more exciting than the possibility of missing out is daunting.

“It’s life-changing for everyone at the club,” commented Welsh international Roberts, whose country have qualified for the European Championships. “To bring Premier League football back to Leeds United would be amazing but we’re all still very calm about it. It’s an exciting few months – not nervous, not scary.

“The Euros are exciting too so I’m going to be trying to get in that squad and hopefully get some minutes at the Euros.”

Wales are in a group with Switzerland, Turkey and Italy in this summer’s competition, which is spread across the continent.