It's still a massive head scratcher how this lad hasn't been called up before.
It's still a massive head scratcher how this lad hasn't been called up before.
I feel like there's a tonne of attacking midfielders operating at broadly a pretty similar level, basically above average championship midfielders. As to how he only got one cap for the 21s, only Jim knows that...
Knight, Smallbone, Browne, Azaz, Taylor, Moran, Sykes. Ronan and McGrath are also there or thereabouts, despite playing in different leagues. I feel Danno Mandriou and Connor Noss also have the ability to be in the conversation if they were playing at a higher level and convincing at that level...
Believe the reason he only has one cap for the 21s is his paperwork wasn't sorted until the summer of 2022 just before we played that playoff game.
Azaz though offers something different that Knight, Smallbone, Browne, Taylor, and Sykes would offer. October and November windows last year he really
I agree on this. I think we are poor in midfield and playing 5 at the back only ended up making us weaker and more vulnerable in the middle of the field. Hopefully we move back to 4 at the back and the let's us play a narrow box 5 in midfield and 2 up front with our width coming from full backs. To me that means ogbene and ebosele are your fullbacks simply for running power and pace. Smallbone and hodge your defensive 2 who are comfortable running with the ball and passing forward and then azaz and Knight or maybe moran as the more forward 2 in midfield a little bit of creativity.
Two in two now for Finn as he settles in at Boro. Sounds like another thumper.
Just seen it and while it wasn’t a thumper, it was a beautiful dinked finish over the keeper who was almost at his feet. Very nice goal. He’s just been subbed off and he had a good second half too. Winning free kicks with his footwork and found a couple of nice passes against a stretched Leicester backline.
McAteer on for Leicester and has been lively enough.
Last edited by SkStu; 17/02/2024 at 3:29 PM.
Can you imagine if Israeli came in for him!
This place would spontaneously combust!
As I understand it he qualifies for Israel
Sorry should have elaborated before
I don't think so. We don't have centrehalves who are prepared to step into midfield and play so when we play a 5 it's simy giving up our central area in midfield which is why we conceded so many long range shots that were unchallenged. Full backs who are athletic can get up and down and ogbene and ebosele offer that athleticism that not many have. The days of a fullback defending one on one against a winger are long gone it's not lee Dixon against ryan giggs any more, that's just not how sides set up
Was just going to post that - interesting article! Here's the uncle on wiki (I'm sure someone will add the link to Azaz soon)
Thought he looked lively when he came on. Hopefully finds his feet at Boro soon and doesn't let the Plymouth momentum slip; could be a real addition.
Great article. Warms the cockles.
Great goal, great commentary. His last two touches were lovely. Perfect left foot touch, deft finish.
Hints of Nottm Forest Roy Keane about it?
Azaz will be 24 in September and will have one season of championship football under his belt. Villa are playing European knockout football and could end up qualifying for the CLs. No disrespect to Azaz but he's nowhere at the level that Villa are looking for atm. Could develop into a PL player but needs to be playing regular for that to happen which wouldn't with Villa. Was hinted at they would insert a buy back clause in his transfer and the small fee he went for imo would point towards a few clauses in his transfer.
11th league goal of the season for him today. Impressive return given he's not a striker.
That goal means this season has seen the most goals from Irish players in the Championship for 15 years.
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