Thanks, bye.
It’s hard to get skinned twice, 60 yards apart, in the same attack, by the same player, who then scores the goal that wins the game…but you managed it within minutes of coming on!
If you’re not fit, thanks for the effort, but it’s costing too much. If you are fit, it’s clear to see your pace is no longer making up for your defensive weaknesses, which have been glaringly obvious to all for years…but the pace usually made up for it.
You can’t tackle, every throw in is a spun foul throw, you can’t cross (but then you can’t stop a cross, either, so there’s that!). You rarely beat a player for a header, esp on the back post, because you just don’t track the player, his run, or his leap.
Your favorite tactics are:
1) Take the ball while facing the left touchline, pivot on your left foot, while dragging the ball back with your right foot, then opening up your body to pass to the right winger. Lather, rinse, repeat…and possibly why you were one of the back four targeted for a quick high press by Villa.
2) Don’t jump for a ball, just back into an opponent who is jumping, undercut them, then act like none of that happened when the foul/penalty is given…and point to someone else to blame.
3) Shadow a winger, believing you can give him more space because you will outrun him, then struggle to keep up as you watch him cut you off or get the cross in.
You’ve been a great servant to the club and, at one time, you could arguably have been the best right back in the world. No more. That time has long since passed. The club were foolish to give you the extension they gave you, esp at the price paid, but a deal is a deal.
Sadly, it’s time for you to move on, and Sheffield Utd might need someone with your experience in the run in and next season in the Prem. Maybe McAtee will come with and get reacquainted with his new PL teammates?!
Good luck to you, but your time is up at City.
