WHAT HAS HE GOT?

THE demands of the Championship are considerable for a younger player and this one has had an interesting apprenticeship this year. A season of loans has given him a valuable education. Right-sided and thick-set at around 5ft 10in, he settled seamlessly into the back line at Sheffield United, both in a back four and a three. Around Christmas time when United made a change at the back he moved on to play as the right centre back of three at Ipswich and seemed to enjoy that role. When the play was on the opponents’ right side he got side on and covered well. Strong in the challenge with good body strength, I liked the way he got close to his man to usher him away from goal. And when the striker laid the ball off from a deep position he did not follow him into false areas to get caught out of position and leave space behind. He reads the game well and has enough pace. He does not look the most imposing when challenging in the air but battles well and has good timing. He can pass out of defence but what really impresses me is that he has held his own at this level where points are so valuable.