03 Feb 2016 10:20:21
Now that's a good headache to have at left back position. I really don't know what will happen when Shaw comes back from injury.
But then some part of me starts thinking like LVG and says OK when shaw is fit i'll play Shaw as LCB and Jackson at lb. :D
Thoughts?
03 Feb 2016 11:06:31
Lad has done very well, and it leaves a massive question mark over Rojo's future. Shaw will always be a lb, he is far too attack minded and it would be a complete wast of his talent to stick him in the centre. But I would be more than happy to have Jackson as back up.
03 Feb 2016 11:22:10
Yes, couldn't have worked out better really, we didn't want to spend money on a left back as Shaw should be first choice when he gets back fit (assuming he comes back the same player) and CBJ has really stepped up to the plate, he is good going forwards but has also won a couple of important defensive headers in recent games, his frame looks quite slight and gangly but he is deceptively strong. I didn't think he was ready at first but he has really settled and I am now glad we didn't fork out on a left back, we really do not need one.
03 Feb 2016 11:33:09
We're back to the debate a while back of could Shaw be the next Bale! Convert to a winger.
He does give the flexibility to do that occasionally or switch to wing backs!
Let's not get too excited about BJ as we ewere doing this over Blackett. etc. a while back.
03 Feb 2016 11:50:23
I don't see MR sticking round for too long - he is always injured and hasn't contributed a great deal. BJ has been very good, but he will be back to understudying Shaw.
It was also fantastic to see Mata play in his preferred position. It's a rarity, but when he does, boy is he good. I actually enjoyed watching Rooney up top with him in behind - Could be a good formula going forward.
03 Feb 2016 12:07:11
Brad
May just be my opinion but CBJ looks a far better prospect than Blackett ever did. I always felt Blackett looked too relaxed on the pitch, almost not determined enough. CBJ may have a dip in future but looks the part so far, certainly to the point that I couldn't understand why we would be looking to buy another left back. Where that leaves Rojo is another matter.
In terms of Shaw, let's see not just his pace when he gets back but his mentality, that was a bad break and whilst I am sure United will work on his mental state, we won't know until he goes into the next tackle.
The one big point with CBJ is that often youth are given a chance in positive less pressured circumstances, yet he has come in under possibly the most difficult circumstances for years under extreme pressure and has handled it like a veteran. That makes his potential stand out beyond mere good performances.
03 Feb 2016 12:53:46
Red Man,
Thoroughly agree with that last paragraph, I felt sorry for him at first as I thought he wasn't good enough in his first couple of games but he has really applied himself and it is good to see.
No.7,
In this day and age the top teams have 2 good players in each position, who is City's main left back and who is the understudy out of Clichy and Kolarov? Who out of Sagna and Zabaleta when both fit? There is no answer, and that is where it would be good if we could be, having 2 players who no matter which one played you knew you wouldn't be much weaker.
03 Feb 2016 13:02:21
Varela is going to make a good player too.
03 Feb 2016 13:23:20
Brad,
I never had hopes with blackett tbh.
03 Feb 2016 16:41:29
Totally agree Red man
its refreshing that CBJ can actually cross a ball witout hitting the first man as well a slot a pass through
great improvement last night, pleasant to watch.
03 Feb 2016 23:17:28
Borthwick Jackson has played pretty well for his age and given that he's never played Pl football before. He seems to be gaining confidence in himself which hopefully means he's going to keep the form up. When shaw is back fit and playing I think he will come back into the side tho. Maybe when we start to play with martial through the middle or we get injuries we could try shaw on the wing and Borthwick Jackson at lb.