BrainOfLevy
Michael Carrick
It’s a tough one with our right back options. The way KT has stepped up has been awesome, and KWP always seems to do well when he gets his chance, and regular watchers of yoof say he’s got the talent.
There’s something about Aurier though that makes me think we are yet to see the best out of him. I think new signings that end up needing time to settle often have a good first couple of games before teams figure them out and before the pressure kicks in (also when teams make a load of new signings at once and teams don’t know how to react - us with the Bale money and Everton started ok at the start of this year).
I remember watching Aurier in the Dortmund home game and thinking we had a real player there. It was about how up for the battle he was. He never got beat one on one and looked super composed on the ball. It was like he was made for the big stage and that was the player we signed. He’s obviously had his ups and downs and has definitely been sloppy as the season has gone on, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the club feels like he has a higher ceiling than KT and gives him another shot.
Then it comes down to KT VS KWP. And KT has played in some of our big wins this year - Liverpool at home, Arsenal home, Madrid home - so he’s earned his place. But do you quite trust him all the way against a top quality winger? Does he have that little burst to never get beaten in his battle? That little bit of skill to get him the space if the first time cross isn’t on against a real top defender? If we trust KWP enough, it may be harsh on KT but I could see us moving him out, as well as he has done. He’s also a perfect servant and an archetypal Poch player who bought into the plan, never made a fuss and did everything he could to earn his spot.
Does KWP have that ability to always win his battles? Is he strong on the concentration side of his game? On his decision making? His crossing looked really good today so if they trust him on the defensive side, he’s surely going to get his chances next year.
There’s something about Aurier though that makes me think we are yet to see the best out of him. I think new signings that end up needing time to settle often have a good first couple of games before teams figure them out and before the pressure kicks in (also when teams make a load of new signings at once and teams don’t know how to react - us with the Bale money and Everton started ok at the start of this year).
I remember watching Aurier in the Dortmund home game and thinking we had a real player there. It was about how up for the battle he was. He never got beat one on one and looked super composed on the ball. It was like he was made for the big stage and that was the player we signed. He’s obviously had his ups and downs and has definitely been sloppy as the season has gone on, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the club feels like he has a higher ceiling than KT and gives him another shot.
Then it comes down to KT VS KWP. And KT has played in some of our big wins this year - Liverpool at home, Arsenal home, Madrid home - so he’s earned his place. But do you quite trust him all the way against a top quality winger? Does he have that little burst to never get beaten in his battle? That little bit of skill to get him the space if the first time cross isn’t on against a real top defender? If we trust KWP enough, it may be harsh on KT but I could see us moving him out, as well as he has done. He’s also a perfect servant and an archetypal Poch player who bought into the plan, never made a fuss and did everything he could to earn his spot.
Does KWP have that ability to always win his battles? Is he strong on the concentration side of his game? On his decision making? His crossing looked really good today so if they trust him on the defensive side, he’s surely going to get his chances next year.