Thought he at least got stuck in and battled. One of our "better" players last night.
Agree. But fancy asking our six foot five centre half to be the one who is supposed to be bombing and overlapping down the wing and swinging in tantalising crosses. It's literally like van Dijk playing as left back for Liverpool.
barneygumble
Player Valuation: £70m
….RB clearly needs addressing, amazing how we’ve not found an effective long-term solution in a position that shouldn’t be difficult to fill.
It’ll mean less game time for O’Brien but there should still be plenty given injuries and suspensions. It’ll actually be a good sign when he’s not starting games.
davek
Player Valuation: £150m
I saw the opposite.
You know when Gnonto's head's gone: he starts smiling at players marking him off the ball trying to show how 'unflustered' he is.
O'Brien kept him quiet all night (without doing much going the other way like...which is why we need a specialist RB in).
Yarrgh
Player Valuation: £80m
Yes, he played well enough in a position that is not his. He can hold his head up high today.
We can get by with him at right back when there’s balance to the rest of the squad.
I even think when you’ve got that balance and have someone out wide right in front of him who works almost as a wing back it can be a strength for us to have him at right back as he essentially just becomes a wide centre back anyway.
But games like yesterday, when the balance of the team is all so off and makeshift just highlights the deficiencies of playing him as a right back. We can’t rely on him to provide width/overlap/threaten the opposition/provide quality on the ball.
Think we are letting him down in not finding an adequate right back this window to replace him. He should have been playing at centre back yesterday really and imo should eventually be taking Tarkwoski’s place this season once Branthwaite is back fit.
I even think when you’ve got that balance and have someone out wide right in front of him who works almost as a wing back it can be a strength for us to have him at right back as he essentially just becomes a wide centre back anyway.
But games like yesterday, when the balance of the team is all so off and makeshift just highlights the deficiencies of playing him as a right back. We can’t rely on him to provide width/overlap/threaten the opposition/provide quality on the ball.
Think we are letting him down in not finding an adequate right back this window to replace him. He should have been playing at centre back yesterday really and imo should eventually be taking Tarkwoski’s place this season once Branthwaite is back fit.
NeroCeasar
Player Valuation: £8m
Showed up today to watch his old club Cork City, u14s beat Everton at Finch Farm.
NilSatisOptimum
Player Valuation: £70m
Did alright for centre backs playing at right back with no real cover from the right wing for large parts of the game...
This.
If he had O’Brien on toast they wouldn’t have subbed him.
Probably the worst type of player for a 6’6” CH standing in at RB to face too - a pacey, tricky midget.
Does his best and is solid but always feels like a cb standing in at rb
