And you are at least suspect of this assertion. So go on, you tell me. Absent a definitive list... is it your position that in fact Nunes does not make a bonehead foul or pass deep in our territory leading to a dangerous free kick or scoring opportunity on average once per game, on current form? That in fact, Nunes is an excellent RB, a fine choice for starter in a side hoping to win the P/L? That in a ranking of top RBs in the P/L, Nunes will appear near the top?
Or is Nunes an adequate backup RB? Mostly great on defense - but lacking on offense - which I assert.
You've not answered my question, but I'll answer yours. Probably with caveats though!
- does he make a bonehead foul or pass deep in our territory leading to a dangerous free kick or scoring opportunity on average once per game, on current form?
No. No more than our other defenders.
- is he an excellent RB, a fine choice for starter in a side hoping to win the P/L?
Yes. I wouldn't play him there in certain games, but on occasions where tactically Pep wants our right-winger to move more centrally, Nunes is exactly the right-back I'd want going up the line and cover large amounts of ground.
- in a ranking of top RBs in the P/L, would he appear near the top?
Yes, when used as mentioned above. If our other options were injured and he was forced to play every game, I'm not sure he's be best suited to some approaches and some opponents, but used how he should be I have no issues at all.
- Or is Nunes an adequate backup RB? Mostly great on defense - but lacking on offense?
I think by the end of this season, people will be looking at this differently. I do think your analysis is the wrong way round though - he's very effective going forward, as shown by the amount of assists he gets. He does still concern me sometimes defensively, but it usually works out and that is what matters. One question - if you think he is lacking offensively, which right-backs do you think are good offensively?
His performance v Everton in numbers below.
