Butcher wrote:I think that's exactly it Trojan - Walmsley will be on the right next year so think Powell's playing him there unless covering at full back. For what it's worth I've not loved Walmsley at full back - his positional sense is pretty good, and he's obviously a real threat pushing on early plays. But I'm not as convinced with his ball playing and short kicking game, which gets called on a lot in SL. No dramas this year, but delighted Rourke's coming in to provide cover for Jowitt. We haven't really had a second full back since Alex Walker, and that stung us last year particularly. Not sure Walker would have made a huge difference to the scorelines, mind.
Walker was never up to SL. Before we signed him from
London I could see he la led the ability to join the line, create the overlap and find a pass. Some players it comes natural like Max but others really struggle here and Walker struggled.
I take your point though that we haven’t had any real depth at fullback that’s quality in a while. For next season Jowitt, Roarke, Walmsley and Russell (if all true) is some very good depth.
Regards his ball playing, he did create 2 x assists at Barrow and I’m sure he’s our second highest assist maker in the squad for stats. He’s not got the finesse and accuracy in passing I’ll give you that but I think he’s got some ability on ball playing. Enough to cover the odd game at least. Agree about the kicking because we haven’t really seen it but hopefully the halves can take that load.
I suspect he will be on the wing anyway. We may have to be a little patient with him early season till he finds his SL feet.
Powell seems to have been testing the versitality like you say. Might bode well if we hit some injuries as I suppose the coaches will know in advance who’s more capable in different positions.