I agree. He looks a class act. Maybe slightly off the pace of the others due to late arrival (being critical there) but he looks some player. The 2nd half when he tracked back and held the ball riding several tackles and refusing to put it out..... class.
That was one of the few things he did wrong in the game, played himself into a corner. Other than that he was first to every second ball in the middle and played simple but forward thinking balls.
It’s only early days but I think we have a fans favourite in the making here with this guy. So refreshing too to see a defensive minded player always looking to play the ball forward rather than sideways or backwards. Just a shame that outrageously long range effort didn’t find its way into the net to top off such a pretty impressive debut for him.
We seem to have found a championship player willing to play at League 1 level. Result! Injuries permitting, Player of the Year in-waiting, I agree.
He looked like a class act yesterday, always looking composed. If that shot from the half way line had gone in his debut for us would have been the stuff of legends.
Watched him closely, great vision - he always knew where he was going to pass it before he received it and then executed perfectly. Class act so far.
Before he arrived we didn't have a functioning midfield. Now we do. And his presence means our other midfielders can concentrate on what they're good at, rather than struggling with a side of the game that they just couldn't do. With him in the side the whole midfield are better.
With a 3 in midfield you need one player who has a primary holding/defensive role, another who can go box to box and one with more of an attacking style. Not identical but Sheridan, Redfearn and Bullock were a good example. We seem to have this now let's hope they can stay fit.
He was and is absolutely superb on that showing. So good positionally, attack minded, strong in the tackle, mobile, calm. What’s not to like.
I think when Thiam came off and Moncur on and Mcgheehan for Mowatt we changed to something more like 433, there is definitely flexibility in formations in how we can play with this manager and squad of players. I was surprised when moncur replaced Thiam instead of Isgrove as the 442 was working well, the changes though didn't weaken us in anyway and I thought we played some good stuff late on.
I said that the other week in a previous thread, he’s got a look of him physically and in terms of play (but I think Dougall is superior on what I’ve seen so far).
Looks great player. Reminds me a bit of Matty James but with a bit more attacking bounce. Heads up before he gets the ball so he know his decisions, comfortable on the ball, reads the play well and anticipates, and importantly covers the ground so well, either filling in or moving the ball. For me he is the metronome that sets the tempo of our team. I have to compliment the set up and others too, Mowatt and him fit well but having said that all players seem to know their role and work well together.
Bang on, i think that’s why we struggled so much last year as we had no one to properly anchor and control the midfield.
And only approx £450 if Transfermarkt is anything to go by. A real snip! Hope we have him on a long contract
