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Scout Academy
Lesson 2 of 4
U21 league, at home to a mid table side, his first match at centre back after 3 seasons at right back.
The club moved him inside for his passing and his recovery speed, and this match was the first look at whether the position fits.
Played 6 firm passes through the opponent's front line: 4 reached a midfielder, 2 were cut out and 1 of those started a counter attack
Defended 2 counter attacks in open space with real recovery speed, but stepped out early in the second and had to be covered
Organised the back line between actions and told the holding midfielder when to drop
Won 3 of 5 headers, losing 2 under contact to a taller striker
Never looked lost positionally, which is the usual failure in a first match inside
Forward passing
Recovery speed
Organising voice
Steps out too eagerly
Aerial timing under contact
The 2 concerns are the 2 things a converted full back always has to learn: when to hold the line and how to time the jump under contact. Both improve with matches inside.
A second and third match at centre back, and a striker who attacks him in the air for 90 minutes.