I know he's had his shaky games, but his versatility has been invaluable at times. He does look a bit lightweight sometimes at CM, but he has put in mostly solid performances, and he's probably better defensively than any of our players except Mbemba. I personally would rather he play fullback than anyone else at the moment. When he came on vs Sunderland we looked far more composed, and he can play his part in an attacking move. He doesn't really play deadly through balls or amazing crosses, but he did show good link up play on the wing with Wijnaldum for that goal.
Should be playing at right back ahead of janmaat right now. Janmaat just lacks any kind of responsibility defensively.
I've always liked him as his movement is good. He reads the game well and when he passes the ball his first thought is to look for the space to give the man on the ball a simple option. The problem is weirdly most of the time he is a bit of a luxury to start. Because he is too lightweight to play in the middle. If he had Tiote power with his football nous he would be first name on the team sheet. RB might be his position for us at the moment. I think he will always be Mr utility though.
For me Vernon Anita is a prime example of why this club is in the state it is. Bang average footballer on a good day playing for a relegation threatened team, nothing more than that, bringing very little to the team. Doubtful that he would get into any other PL team, maybe he'll look half decent in the Championship, but, I wouldn't hold my breath.
Yup. Anita should not be near the first team. Modern football has - sadly - no place for "versatility" if you want to excel, it's all about specialism. Look at the table toppers - any "utility players" anywhere? Nope. Tottenham regularly fielding "jack of all trades"? Nope. You either need an identity and get the right players, or build an identity around the players you have. We, for whatever reason, tried to play like Bayern with Barnsley-level footballers.
Don't think Anita can be blamed for anything really. He hasn't made many mistakes. He's one of the most defensively astute players we have.
You say that but I see him regularly let opposition players go past him in front of the back four, giving them no protection whatsoever. Colback is exactly the same. That said, I won't blame any player for being average or ****; I blame the people doing the recruiting.
He's ok. A good squad player like Colback for a middle of the road team. He's quite versatile and quite tidy. Seems to have a solid attitude and I don't think he can be accused of not trying his best unlike some. He's a bit weak and little for the middle of that midfield. You can be little but you need steel like Makelele, which Anita lacks. I don't mind retaining him and Colback but the reality is they should not be starting. The reason they are is because of the money we have squandered. I watch both Anita and Colback when they're in midfield and its all so passive. Guthrie was the same. These types are ok to have in reserve but get exposed if they start regular.
I think Anita is fine he just needs someone like Tiote next to him to do the enforcing. Apart from games where he's just returned from a spell out, his passsing, tactical awareness and decision making make up for his lack of strength. He certainly doesn't lack bottle though.
I think he gets bullied to much in midfield and having him there means we win 50% less headers from aerial balls. As a full back where the majority of the game is played on the ground rather than with aerial balls I think he's better.
It's not as if Colback wins a lot of headers though. Tiote coming back means we're now winning a lot more in the air in midfield.
True but if there was a long ball heading towards say Nasri and one of either Anita or Colback, I'd want Colback there to win it. I agree it's not much better but we could use every tiny sliver of better we can get!
Seems to be better at right back, thought he had his best game for us against Man City the other night.
Had a decent couple of games recently but I think he'd get found out at right back over time and he's not good enough to start in CM in the Premier League. In fact he's played at RB before now and been found out. I like his attitude, work ethic and professionalism but he rarely excels in any area of the game. Keep him as a squad player until the end of next season when his current deal is up and wish him well wherever he ends up next.
