What a great little fullback he is turning out to be. I can see why Pardew never played him there now.
Our back 4 was the biggest improvement in the last quarter of last season. It's been improved over the summer with mostly young players and I think after years of being pish may be the one area of our team I can see being good enough to survive in the Premiership.
Like little Vurn a lot. Always gives 100%, a good passer of the ball but most of all he reads the game well and wingers don't often get past him. Wasted by both Pardew and McLaren.
I always thought he needed to play full back to have a future at the club but I didn't really think he would be good enough there either. To be fair to him he has been pretty good at right back since the back end of last season. Not sure we should give him a new contract if we go up though as his current deal runs out this year and we may need better for the Premier League. If we don't go up then yes new contract.
Surely he's done enough go a new contract? And we all knew he's was excellent at full back from the end of last year. Would be huge waste of we let him go in the summer. If Dummet can get a new contract, then Anita has more than earned one too.
I used to think he was great tactically but not strong enough to handle the physicality of the league. Even though I wouldn't rely on him to be a lone CDM, he shows the ability to adapt and improve in all fashions. I wouldn't have anyone else playing at RB. We don't need an attacking fullback, Anita can defend and also provide good passing range and read play.
I'd like to keep him as right back. He will need genuine competition next year but I'd have no qualms giving him a contract due to his versatility. Lets not make the same mistake we made with Aaron Hughes.
