Trouble is Livermore is available next week - so will Val be brave enough to drop his captain? Would like to see it ... but somehow doubt it. Apart from that the team probably picks itself ... same again.
The lad Gardner-Hickman was class yesterday. Up and down the pitch, at pace and he’s got decent ability. His versatility tells you he has a well rounded game. He’s got to be given a run of games either centre mid, right back or one of the front three.
VI is getting something out of Kipre too. The lads a bit of a beast, decent passer (at times) and only 24.
Trouble is Livermore is available next week - so will Val be brave enough to drop his captain? Would like to see it ... but somehow doubt it. Apart from that the team probably picks itself ... same again.
Won me over in a short space of time. Reminds me of Townsend for attitude and commitment. Townsend is a first name on the team sheet for me, has applied himself tirelessly. I really hope he gets better and better.
He's also both footed , which should be a given for any pro player.
It’s great when we see a youngster step up and make a contribution. That’s two games now where he has played really well.
Should at the very least make every matchday squad from now on.
Kipre, yes a Scottish pal of mind said that he was a decent player at Motherwell and known for his surging runs out of defence. I’ve noticed that in recent games Bartley has almost been banned from passing out ( thankfully ) and its Kipre and Clarke only. Clarke was over hitting long balls out to Grant all afternoon which makes Kipre the best at distribution at the moment.
We do need to be a bit careful and not put too much on the lad, I agree he looks like a talent and offers more going forwards than Livermore IMO he needs to be rotated and managed well over the next few months, need to give him time to recover more mentally than anything given his age and experience.
Townsend will end up being poached by West Ham or by one of the perennial teams that stink the Premier League out like Burnley.
I’ve been saying exactly this over the last few months, the lads got better and better, similarly with O’Shea, prior to injury obviously. The Premier League stint proved a tough gig for both but having stepped down a division you can see how the higher standard brought them both on, probably more so with Townsend.
As for TGH, saw him away at Huddersfield as right wing back and he was absolutely faultless, technically gifted and puts a wicked cross over. Again, looked at home yesterday and needs to be shown faith.
When Val said he will always play his Captain I’m hoping for a ‘technicality’ where TGH will retain his shirt and another regular will be handed the arm band!
I’d start TGH instead of Diangana. TGH now needs to be a regular in the team.