Is Oduor a LWB?

I don't attend many games. Obviously. People think we're desperate for a LWB if Styles stays in CM. Is Oduor not a LWB? When he first came into the side and impressed wasn't that at LWB?
Those that have seen him much more than me can verify. If not what is his position?

 

Essentially yes. When he came he was announced as being able to play left back and left wing so basically left wing back. On Saturday he played up front on the right....

 

While we're at it, is Styles a CM? I know the suggestion was that's his natural position, but I've not really seen much so far to indicate that's true. He looked at home on the left and it was his performances there that won him the plaudits last season.

Styles to LWB and Josh in the middle looks a complete no-brainer, but it's obviously not that straightforward....

 

Every coach will have a different opinion about individual players as he sees them in training. Schopp has looked at Oduor and has decided that his skill set is not right for LWB. I have some sympathy. Oduor is quick, but he does not tackle well, and that is essential for a LWB. He seems very impressed with Oduor in a forward role and has said that he believes that he can be an asset in that role. The Coventry game was not played in a way that could help to illustrate his promise in that role. There were too many long balls, and not enough play along the ground and building from the back with shorter passing and good movement. It is also right to point out that Coventry were very strong in the challenge, and Oduor does not look tough enough for that type of game.

 

Although it was Clarke’s initial tackle on halfway that led to the winning goal.

 

Your last comment suggests that he can never play in a forward roll as to play there you have to be able to ride a tackle , incidentally I am not suggesting you are wrong , personally I think a left sided midfield role would suit him best

 

Was that a tackle, or was it an interception. Anyway, that was not really my point. Do you think that Oduor is a wing back?

 

I thought that Coventry were harder than the norm. Whether that was early season enthusiasm, playing in front of an away crowd, or over motivation by the manager I do not know, but I did think that they were more aggressive than we were, even though we were the team with 8 yellow cards.

 

Not sure about that, every team in the championship has battle hardened defenders , you only had to look at Cardiffs line up to see that , no if you are playing up front in the EFL its a mans game & you have to toughen up & deal with it.

 

It kinda was your point wasn't it? The main criticism you had of him is that he can't tackle which is why he can't play lwb

 

Was it a tackle though? After YTBFC'c comment, I re-watched the highlights, and I thought it was an interception and that Oduor read the intentions of the passer, not that he tackled the opponent in secure possession of the ball. They are different things and demand different skills. I then went on to ask him about his opinion.

 

It regained us possession high up and we broke to score. It was the high press in all its glory.

But no. I don’t see him as a LWB either. I think him playing wide left or right of a front three position suits him better as it allows him to do what he’s best at, which is create and cause problems.

I’m in the Styles at LWB camp personally. He was outstanding there last season. Nobody in the league made more tackles.

But we’ve four points from six so far and only conceded one goal from three matches played, which was a set piece. So who knows? Good discussion points though!

 

How do you solve a problem like Oduor ........

Plaudits when he came into the team as the best LWB since sliced bread.
We saw his prowess at the other end of the pitch on more than one occasion.
We then saw him have a season getting splinters in his backside. A manager who didn't fancy him?
Some people (me!) saw a great performance at Bolton.
Other people (me!) saw a less than convincing cameo v Cov. However, as said above, the nature of the game maybe didn't suit him.
This season, plenty of early matchday involvement, and a manager who does seem to think he is worthy of inclusion.

I'll leave it to Markus & Co to decide where he ultimately plays but if he is going to persist in trying Styles in midfield for an extended trial, then I would at least see how young Oduor fits back in at LWB for a few games. What do I know?

 

I remember when he was playing left back under Struber (?) and he was excellent. Pretty sure he was whipping corners in too but that seems to have gone.

When he came on against Coventry I wanted a little bit more from him. It was his chance to really stake a claim with the new signings being injured and Morris getting injured too. I thought he was okay but I just wanted that little bit more from him.

There’s definitely a player in there, let’s hope we see it.

 

The only times I’ve seen him play well were when he first broke into the team & played left back in a back four.

Once everyone’s fit he isn’t getting a look in as a forward. With Woodrow, Morris, Frieser, Cole, Oulare & Iseka competing for 3 spots Oduor will end up having to go on loan or spending a season in the U23’s.

If he’s insistent he wants to play up top then that’s up to him but if I’m him I’m thinking there’s one obvious spot in the team that a player of my talent should be able to make my own & that’s LWB.

 

Agree with all of that.

 

I thought schlopp was going to make that change 1st half Saturday when Ben Williams was getting skinned for fun but what do I know.

 

Came as a left back from Leeds didn't he? Needs to play that position if anything, otherwise he might just be left back in the dressing room....I'll get mi coyt.

 

I thought styles performances even faded towards the end of last season whilst at left wing back. An undoubted talent but at this moment in time he is still out best option at left wing back.

 

I think he just needs time. He hardly featured last season and he needs to have some proper game time. I think LWB could be his position if Schopp decides not to utilise Styles there. I believe he can settle there, and his reading of the game will improve.

A poster above mentions him not being great at tackling and suggests he intercepted the ball rather than put in a tackle that led to the goal. This asks the question, what is more important in the LWB role with a high press, tackling or intercepting? I would argue intercepting all day long. Tackling is often unpredictable, and crucially, defensive-minded. Interceptions are as a result of reading the game well and often lead to the ball at the feet of the interceptor i.e. Oduor. This leads to counter-attacking football/implements the press, and allows Clarke to showcase his attacking prowess. And with three Centre-Halves and Brittain tracking back we can afford to have a more attacking-minded LWB in Oduor. My opinion, ofc