- 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.
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.