MB1980
UTC Legend
Thought this was an interesting angle so had a quick look on soccer base. 16/17 season first game against Burnley he hadn’t played a league game since his injury. Second game he hadn’t played for 2 months due to his suspension following the “stamp”.
17/18 didn’t play in the first game as it came during a period where he didn’t play a single game for 8 months. Second game and potentially without looking deeper, the first time he was available against Burnley, he started.
18/19 didn’t play a league game until December so missed the first Burnley game, second Burnley game he was on loan at Villa.
He was riddled with injuries whilst with us despite his claimed to the contrary. His weird back injury was a mystery for a long time along with his knee.
I don’t think when you’re struggling like that a bit part role where you’re expected to perform in random games whilst playing second fiddle 90% time works.
sums it up nicely. all hindsight but I expect things would have panned out very differently had he not suffered ongoing injury/fitness issues. we couldn't afford to wait for him to get back to fitness and signed Ake, who he was never going to displace once fit. Resulted in being in out of side, never getting a prolonged run. Plus rumours of a break down in relationship between him and Howe, probably sealed his fate with us.
as mentioned above, despite his strong qualities, amazed he's getting chances with England now, seems too prone to lapses of concentration, clumsiness to be relied upon at the highest levels.