Kemar Roofe netted a brace on Boxing Day as Leeds United beat Blackburn Rovers.
Darren Bent believes Leeds star Kemar Roofe deserves credit for his rise in form this season because his ‘time could have been limited’ with the arrival of Patrick Bamford in the summer.
Striker Bamford moved to Elland Road from Middlesbrough in a number of big-name signings for the Yorkshire club as they aimed for promotion at the start of the campaign.
Despite Bamford’s addition to the front line, Roofe has struck 13 goals from his 18 league matches, including three stoppage-time goals in the past two games.
Last Sunday, Roofe’s injury-time winner helped Bielsa’s side seal a stunning 3-2 win over Aston Villa and he was at it again on Boxing Day, but this time he netted two stoppage-time winners to secure all the points against Blackburn Rovers.
After the Boxing Day encounter, former Premier League striker Bent commented on Roofe’s recent rise and why he deserves credit for his turnaround.
“The thing about Kemar Roofe is that when they brought Patrick Bamford at the start of the season, you probably thought his time might have been limited,” Bent told EFL on Quest on 26/12/2018 at 9:20 pm.
“But this season, he has rolled his sleeves up, he is playing in his preferred position, which is a centre-forward, and it’s no surprise to me that he’s already bettered the goals already this season than he did last season. He’s getting important goals, not any goals where they are scrapping here and there.”
During the previous campaign, under Thomas Christiansen and Paul Heckingbottom, Roofe scored 11 goals in 36 league matches – he has already bettered that tally with half of the season remaining.
As a result of Roofe’s performances, he has helped his club to the top of the Championship, where they currently hold a three-point lead over second-placed Norwich and a further six-point lead over third-placed West Brom.
Roofe will be hoping to round off the year with all three points when relegation-threatened Hull City visit Elland Road on Saturday afternoon.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
