What message does that send to both Tripps AND Aurier if, during a bit of a slump, we bench one and shelve the other for a relatively untried youth player!!!?
I know we're all a bit upset, but i don't think the RB position is really our main problem is it. Let's look at our lack of creativity (i'm talking to you Christian) and getting the first choice midfield back first eh?
Actually I do think both our fullbacks are a significant part of the lack of form in current team.
- When we destroyed teams on the back end of last season, our FBs played a big part, even if the role is only to give Eriksen/Dele more space by dragging players out.
Davies & Trippier in my opinion have been poor for some time (doesn't mean they are brick, just not as dangerous), let me explain
- When Trippier plays well, he hits/crosses balls early (that is what hurts teams that are trying to sit back, they simply don't get the time to get back into shape), look at Trippier over a lot of this season, he gets the pass from midfield, does this stand on the ball brick, roll it, then pass back or sideways, opposition gets into shape, we can't break them down.
- Davies at the end of last season and first couple of games this season was attacking the box, being that extra attacker at the far post, again either becoming a goal scoring threat himself or dragging defenders to cover. How many times in his last 7 games has he made that attacking run into box?
Rose is unfit, and Aurier needs time to adapt, so while no one in my opinion is brick, in a side that likes to play 3 at back, depending on the FBs to contribute heavily, we are seeing the midfield labour along, in some part due to FBs not being as effective as they can be on form.
Back to KWP, said it before, like Josh, doesn't excite me, just don't see him as even as second choice in long run.