Dario apparently once said that Kirk and Ainley would be our next 1million pound sales. How does that look at the moment? Of the two Charlie has easily achieved the higher level of performance but is it anywhere near his potential? There are going to be players leaving (for various fees but not a million) before him and how is that going to play out against his psyche? His mates will be leaving him behind. Will that galvanise or discourage him? He is brilliant on his day but not consistent. He has a little tendency to showboat and to lose concentration in terms of outcomes. Against Rochdale we saw the best and worst of him. The third goal showed excellent control, fitness and decision making. However, Rochdale's second came directly after his bit of ball juggling followed by an aimless lob into the box. To my mind he is best when he is pressuring defenders and his runs from deep centrally show what he can do. He, of course is brilliant down the left with close touch football BUT for this he needs Pickering and if Harry were to leave, I don't think we would be as effective down that side. So.. I would still like him to play in Ainley's role occasionally and therefore giving Powell a chance on the left or even allow for Walker that so many are shouting for.
Ainley, however, has never reached Charlie's level. He has moments of brilliance but then can just disappear from a game. He is unlucky in that his moments of brilliance in the last 12 months have occasionally led to an end product but then he gets a 'long-term' injury. Who knows whether a sustained place in the team may just about brought the best out of him. In the meantime, I have to confess that, on balance, Finney is more effective. At least Ollie can (eventually) score goals.
I write this because I've made a few comments about Charlie recently that made me think. About a year ago, the world was his oyster (maybe) but, at the moment, he isn't the player that attention is focussed on, in terms of transfers out. Will he steal the limelight again?
