Don't forget, Robbo has been thrown in to the PL, coming from technically a lower league regarding opposition, probably the equivalent of the Championship or League 1. Even International level he probably hasn't come up against World Class or even decent International players.
The Scotland match also showed his defensive frailty, and Robertson will know himself he is not yet up to scratch defensively, he cost Scotland that game despite scoring. Despite that I would have him in over Figueroa but Bruce has worked wonders with our defence recently, something that you seem oblivious to going on what I've just read.
Was going on about England v Scotland, just to clear that one up. I agree with comments that Robertson should be moved further up the pitch, he loses his man too much playing in defence, unless Bruce can help him more with that side of his game it means we will be vunerable down his flank. Trouble is we have no options and thats why Figueroa is back, which isn't ideal
Since the start of the season I've wanted Brady to play LB with Robbo in front and Rosie at RB with Elmo in front of him. That way you have players who can overlap and cause serious problems going forward, but who are also good defenders. Obviously two of them are injured atm but when back it's something I'd like to see.
I've seen every game this season, including all cup games, except the man city home game. His delivery and decision making in the final third are **** more often than not. He's capable of playing a sweet cross like he did for the opener against Palace, and he's only a young lad so will improve in both respects, but at the minute he's very wasteful, and too wasteful to play in a more prominent attacking position I think. Most his good attacking work comes when he's running from deep anyway, so he'd lose that unmarked freedom when playing further upfield and probably suffer for it.
Fair points - was just asking , wasn't meant to sound patronising . We look a more dangerous side going forward with Robbo in the team I believe though and his defensive capabilities will improve with the more games he plays obviously.
Agreed Roberto. Jelavic has gone mental in the box cos Robbo's shot from distance or played a ****e ball in.
With Adam Johnson out for them Robertson surely has to start. Feel sorry for Brady though as I think he has proved pretty ok defensively since getting back into the side and has also delivered going forward. Going to be interesting to see which of the 2 starts when both fit, especially next season assuming we stay up.
With Johnson out for them, I no longer see any need to protect our younger players by leaving them out.
Robertson has fallen out of favour because of his inconsistent performances. He is inexperienced for this level of football. His initial inclusion in the side was because he was enthusiastic and did well going forward and also with his crossing of the ball. After only a couple of games his defensive frailty began to show. I mentioned it on here and got shouted down because everyone was euphoric about this fresh faced kid running riot. We conceded a number of goals because he is so weak in defending his position. SB saw this, but an injury took him out of the side before he was dropped. Im sure that he will, in time, become a very good full back but at the moment the only way you could employ him is as an attacking wing back. But even then he needs to up his game when defending.
Just because a full back is good going forward doesn't mean he's a winger. Roberto Carlos and Cafu where great going forward, but no one tried turning them into wingers. Bale was always a left winger playing left back. Robertson's biggest weakness is his position. He always gets caught out with the winger running in behind him.
I would play him against the weaker teams like Sunderland, and Stoke for that matter, and use his pace to peg back their defence. I certainly would not play him against any of the top 7.
It's the system we play, if he's a LB with a winger covering him then he'll be ok, but with no one to cover him when we play 532, that's when he gets caught out. He's still learning our system.
I don't think he is strong enough. Meyler is imperfect but has good breaking up play qualities that are useful against top sides.
