I've defended this guy many times and he doesn't seem to get the praise he deserves. He's definitely not a winger or a creative midfield player that's going to win you a game, however, he is extremely clever with his movement, vision and marking and is the most tactically aware player we have by a mile. This not only helps us defensively, because he knows when to sit back and go forward, but he's also able to be in the right position to pick out a pass and see a movement of play going down. He linked up way better with Ritchie because he reads play where as Janmaat just bombs forward whenever he can. I think Ritchie - Anita partnership should be the strongest right hand side in the championship this season. They are both clever players and both work very hard both defensively and attacking wise. It could be even more solid than the old Jonas/Enrique partnership.
It's full back or bust for Anita because I don't rate him at all in midfield. I prefer him to Janmaat on his form at RB so far. I have a feeling some of the more skillful/pacey wingers may have him on toast, but that's no worse than Janmaat tbf, and will his lack of height end up costing us on crosses?
Jonas was strong and fast, but was too much of a headless chicken at times - wanted to take everyone on too much and lost the ball too often. Ritchie is far, far better, and much more skilful. Jonas only got 4 goals in the champ, I can see Ritchie easily getting into double figures. WE need to get the ball to him at every opportunity - It's baffling that he was only a sub vs Huddersfield! Anita is tidy, unsung and is excellent at full back....but he's not a bloody winger! After 2 lesser performances, we seem to have picked up and put a much better team out, for me this is similar to the first games after Rafa arrived, when we weren't great, and after that diabolical game vs Southampton, he made major changes and we improved dramatically, hopefully this will be something similar.
I was actually surprised at how seldom Ritchie played Anita in when he had gone on the overlap. I agree, though, that Anita looked very assured at RB, except for the 15 minutes when the whole team collectively forgot how to play football.
I think he's alright as a holding midfielder as long as he has an enforcer near him. His only weakness is his physicality. He's too lightweight to be relied upon to boss the midfield. Useful for decision making and tactical awareness though.
He is poor in midfield but I don't think he's ever let us down at full back. I'm sure he prefers midfield but loads of players think they know whats best for them and are wrong.
I'll try not to be too negative on Anita, but, if Rafa is intent on playing him, it has to be at RB. Thought he was steady against Reading, which was good enough. No reason to drop him
Anita is two small to play central midfield, he lacks passing ability and vision, but mostly he suffers in terms of stature and presence. It's like throwing an ant at tank. He's alright at fullback cause he has a bit of pace, has the experience and temperament to be positioned half decently, and he's not coming up against beasts, or people who can pass around him for fun. Janmaat is like the Moreno of RB.
Anita had a solid game. Ritchie was poor. Lascelles and Mbemba were sublime. Clarke - far better than Dummett
Defence looking good, I think we need some stability now instead of constant rotating though, and stick with this back 4 for the next league game. I like the look of Clark in the last 2 games, but I'm not sold on Hanley at all yet. Start Hanley against Cheltenham and leaving him on the bench for the league games for now. Diame looks like he's shorted his **** out after being cack against Huddersfield, could be a bit of beast in midfield.
