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The Kyle Naughton Appreciation Thread

Strikeb4ck

Well-Known Member
Aug 8, 2010
4,483
9,409
Well, I think this lad deserves a mention. He's been one of our best players over the past 3 or so months, and I for one am tired of the consistent slagging off he still gets - based on some performances months back where he gets thrust in on his weaker side in a totally new back 4 against whatever top team.

His 1v1 defending has been excellent - he defended about as well as I've seen anyone defend against Konoplyanka for instance. Got thrown into matchups against some more than decent left wingers. He's been growing and learning in the games, you can see how much he was going forwards today and wanting the ball, would never have seen that back in the first half of the season. Even the nightmarish game he had vs Southampton, he had the mental fortitude to come back and get an assist and play very well in the second half for our comeback. I think he's always had excellent technique and vision - far better than Walker - although he is definitely not as good an athlete. That moment today where he took down the long ball coming over his shoulder right by the touchline, took one touch/look and played a ball to Paulinho (who really should have scored, it was a clear cut chance) was one of the best plays all season, very underrated, the commentators didn't even mention it.

He still has a lot of room to grow (as most players do), but I'm delighted to see how well he has done of late and I'm really hoping we get an end to the Naughton slander. It is always nice to see a player perform well in the face of adversity, and I'm sure he was very aware of some fan's thoughts back when he started his run in the team, but he's overcome it and been a key part of the last few months.

I think he provides very good competition for Walker too. I know he's stated that he wants to play regularly, so if he pushes for a move to get a starting role I wouldn't really begrudge him, he's shown what he can do. I for one would really hope he stays, he has shown that he is more than competent at RB (and actually not even THAT bad at LB) and I think he is a very useful player to have in the squad.
 

eddiev14

SC Supporter
Jan 18, 2005
7,173
19,679
image.jpg
 

whitelanefever

Well-Known Member
Aug 21, 2012
2,149
2,855
An honest assessment of Naughton is he's not good enough for a top tier team in the PL however he's a game lad who put's in everything he has, though it's not good enough for for what we're aiming to be.
 

Pedro

Blue & Yellow
Jan 4, 2005
2,039
1,355
As a squad player he is fine, a decent player. If he is happy to stay as back up then i am happy for him to be here, competent and has a decent passing range, not top four first team quality, but decent cover. If he wants more regular first team footy then i wouldnt hold pushing for a move against him, but hope he stays personally.
 

Kiedis

Well-Known Member
Aug 4, 2013
2,926
8,490
Naughton would walk directly into every team from Southampton and down. But he's just one of those guys that many people enjoy calling "League 1 player!!!!!11111oneoneone" only remembering some stinkers at left back (and the Southampton game, probably).
 

C0YS

Just another member
Jul 9, 2007
12,780
13,817
Not quite good enough. Frustrates me how keeps breaking up our moves with a miscontrol, or holding onto the ball too long. Also he is more than a little error prone. Even so he is a good passer of the ball and is great at hitting early balls.

If he was in his early 20s I'd see him as a talent. But he is not. He is 25 and am sure he is looking forward to going to a team in which he is the first choice.
 

Metalhead

But that's a debate for another thread.....
Nov 24, 2013
25,351
38,294
An honest assessment of Naughton is he's not good enough for a top tier team in the PL however he's a game lad who put's in everything he has, though it's not good enough for for what we're aiming to be.
I would say that this is as good an assessment as I've seen. Not castigating the lad like so many posts do but realistically he doesn't seem cut out for the premier league.
 

SFCS

Well-Known Member
May 17, 2013
598
1,285
Those two gifts against Southampton show a worrying lack of footballing ability. He's always been overly cautious on the ball, tends to get in the way when he makes runs forward and generally doesn't look the part, in my opinion.

He has had some good games this season though but they're too few and far between for me. Yesterday I thought was his best game for us though, he looked like a different player but then again our whole defence looked solid which was perhaps more to do with Delph being the only outfield Villa player that looked like he cared about the game.

I think the only way Naughton will still be here next season will be if we have too many other problems to deal with, like keeping hold of our best players and trying to negotiate more important transfers than replacing a second choice right back.
 

XSuicideBunnyX

FM Champion 2015
Aug 3, 2013
839
1,191
If he's happy to stay as second choice/thinks he can fight Walker for first choice, then keep him here. He's really progressed this season, going from shit left-back to pretty decent right back. Plus he seems like a cool guy. After starting quite a few times for us, he's really taken on his role, and can do some things that Walker can't (i.e. cross the ball).
 

scissor_gang

Well-Known Member
May 16, 2012
164
300
I slagged him off when we were using him at left back and I maintain that he's sh*te in that position but I must admit he's done much better than expected at right back. I've certainly been impressed but of course my expectations were low. Never will be good enough to be our starter but for the sake of continuity I wouldn't mind him remaining as our back up right back. I'd like to see a new high quality left back ffs. Beyond that we really don't need much except for players to heal from injuries, thin out the midfield by 1 or 2 spots, perhaps a new striker if 1 of the 3 goes.
 

EastLondonYid

Well-Known Member
Jan 26, 2010
7,837
16,145
He has been ok.....but the games he has been 'ok' in have been meaningless end of season ones...struggled abit in the big games that meant something if i remember.
 

HoltbiusMac

ScroobiusMac
Jun 25, 2013
817
2,222
I would say that this is as good an assessment as I've seen. Not castigating the lad like so many posts do but realistically he doesn't seem cut out for the premier league.

He's definitely cut out for the PL just not the upper echelons of it. He'd be great for Villa, Newcastle, Sunderland etc. he's just not quite top 7 starter material.
 

southlondonyiddo

My eyes have seen some of the glory..
Nov 8, 2004
12,599
15,011
Nowhere near good enough if you want to challenge for the top 4

Not quick enough, not strong enough, not skilful enough, not hard enough, not good enough in the air, not athletic enough

Apart from that he's ok. Ok for bottom half prem team. Depends what people want I guess but he has the typical ability of full backs we've had the misfortune of having to watch for many many many shite years before Jol & Arnesen came along...
 

Jimmypearce7

Well-Known Member
Feb 23, 2005
1,473
2,255
He was very positive yesterday. More comfortable at right back but definitely worth keeping as he can cover both.
 

dagraham

Well-Known Member
Sep 20, 2005
19,115
46,080
Agree that he is decent enough back up at RB and gets far too much stick on here, mainly because most people just watch him at LB and decide that he's the worst full back ever etc etc.

The only thins I disagree with is that he is awful at LB and a total liability on that side. I actually blame AVB for his development. Putting him at LB imo completely undermined his confidence to the point that when he was then switched to his favoured side (which wasn't very often), he was totally shot.
 

SlunkSoma

Like dogs bright
Oct 5, 2004
3,941
3,490
Along with Kane has been one of the seasons big improvers recently. After a shaky performance against Soton he started to pull it together and has look solid. Well done to him. Lacks a bit of pace to breakaway, but a competent performer nonetheless.
 

mpickard2087

Patient Zero
Jun 13, 2008
21,886
32,512
His 1v1 defending has been excellent - he defended about as well as I've seen anyone defend against Konoplyanka for instance. Got thrown into matchups against some more than decent left wingers.

Sorry, but that really hasn't been the case. The majority of games he has been so concerned about the guy going down the outside he has actually got done going the other way and allowed his man to head infield. I've made a point about this in several games recently.

There has been some improvement, I'll give him that, and he seemed more confident yesterday, but I'd still be wanting a lot more from him.
 
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