Roberts a victim of 4-5-1

Rovers striker Jason Roberts feels he is a victim of the modern game as the change in a lot of teams systems has resulted in an even tougher battle for a starting striker role.

J-Rob has been forced to fight for his spot up front in the Allardyce preferred 4-5-1 formation with Niko Kalinic and Franco Di Santo.

A few years back all that was played was 4-4-2, something that Jason was accustomed to but nowadays it is all one up front and advanced midfielders.

The frustration is not lost on Roberts.

Roberts, speaking to the Lancashire Telegraph said - "When you are playing upfront on your own it is tough," he said. "You look at the strikers who have played up front on their own this season and I don`t think any of them have strung together too many goals.

"All our strikers will be disappointed by how many goals we have scored but it is tough when you are up their by yourself. When you are playing up there by yourself, I think it is too easy for people to say 'oh, he has not scored today`.

"There are other factors that come into it. It is more a of a workmanlike job you are being asked to do for the team.

"I grew up with 4-4-2, but that has gone now. Every team seems to play 4-5-1. The 4-4-2 has been good to me throughout my career and something I like to play in. I think if you asked any striker would you prefer to play in a two or a one, they would say two.

"So I am no different to the majority. But it seems as though strikers are being asked to take one for the team. Everyone does it bar Sunderland and Tottenham."

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