Douglas Higginbottom wrote:Ted Hughes wrote:Cheers for this Doug.
Good to know that Pozo is starting to get his shit together again. Imo, he is above even the likes of Lopes for natural talent, but is not going to be physically great, so has to adapt if he is going to make it to the level his talent could take him,
Reading the OS, it suggests Bytqi was playing a different position than the usual wide one & had a good game. The lad has talent, but imo, is not at the same level as Barker as a wide player, & I saw him as one of those who would be released, purely down to the standard of our first team squad & the potential players coming through. Certainly has ability though (but they all do).
nice to win a game, as imo, the defence is almost non existent due to the loans etc.
He played with 9 on his back and theoretically as the lone striker but rarely did you see him in the central forward position.He loves to come to get the ball in deep positions and drag his marker out and he does have great skill and balance on the ball. He was actually in the D when he played the neat one two with Fofana for the first goal but his game is all about floating wherever he wants it seems to me.No way did he have one of his best games but he is such a threat and that 2nd assist for Hiwula was brilliant and typical of what he can do.
There were one or two moments when he didn't go into a challenge ( maybe 50/50's) for fear of injury which maybe is sort of to be expected but you are right Ted in some ways he will never be physically great.On the other hand as he learns to handle the physical side better his balance and ability to ride tackles should take him a long way. Maybe not quite ready for 1st team sub roles/games but I for one would be happy to see him get on the bench v Sheff W. Playing with City's senior players would suit him perfectly.
As for Bytyqi I am not sure he did play a different position.I think he was mostly in the wide right position but I think Vieira doesn't expect the players to be too rigid in their roles and he was making some intelligent runs from the right and across the back line.He is pretty good on the ball in keeping possession although he does at times overdo it and lose out when he should have seen a pass. The free kick though was very good and reward for the great amount of practice he puts in on them.And the 2nd goal showed some great composure as you will see when the highlights get shown.
I agree re Barker as well.He can look magnificent at times when he takes a defender on.He has excellent speed and especially from a standing start which can really get him past players.Then it's all about the final pass or shot.He hit one shot which cannoned off both posts which was a great effort and one other close in effort where he tried to nutmeg the keeper but he sat on it. His other challenge is getting in the game enough but that's often the way for a winger.
I think he'll be able to come inside a lot more if need be, when he learns the game properly, as he can operate on either foot.
I watched the England U19s the other day. When Barker came on, he tended to run with the ball & get it pinched off him a bit too much, & his performance was a fair bit below what I've seen from him, but near the end, he just stood the fullback up & then in the space of six yards or so, left him so much for dead that he had time to look up & pick his cross, which he did with a lovely little Peter Beagrie/Rosler kind of ball to the back post, which should have been the match winning goal.
The fullback was no slouch but Barker just seemed to ghost away from him in a few paces, effortlessly. He didn't look to be moving especially quickly, but he seemed to gain half a yard of distance on the fullback with each step. The guy couldn't get near him.
(Edit: just thought who that part of his game reminds me of; John Barnes without the weight)
I recon Pablo Zabaleta would have exactly the same problem if Barker took him on like that. Pablo could probably take the ball from him & dump him on his arse 8 times of ten, but Barker would skin him alive on occasion in any game imo & that's a potential match winner.
I hope we can put the finishing touches to him & get him into the first team picture, because he's got something a bit special about him & we don't have a player like that. Adam Johnson with pace I suppose is the nearest comparison to players in recent years. When you consider Barker is only 17, but is probably physically better than AJ already, imo we could have another talent on par with Iheanacho here.