Think Clayden has looked really good going forward too
Agreed but he doesn't look like a LB, at least not at this point. And to be fair, he's not. Believe he's played exclusively as a winger throughout the youth teams and it's only been in the senior side that he's played at fullback.
It does kind of remind me of Alfie Doughty, although I believe Doughty did play some fullback at youth team level. But when he came into the side it was as an emergency wingback/fullback. I don't think Clayden has quite the upside that young Alfie did, but he's shown there's something to build on there.
What does a left back look like? If Clayden can grow in that position with his pace he could have a better career than someone like Purrington.
If he can grow in that position, improve his positioning and one-v-one defending, then he'll be quite a good left back. I know you wrote this before I posted my last comment, but I would say he's simply not there yet. But with a chalk on your boots left footed winger, left back is a good option for him in the future. I just don't think today is the best marker given we've largely been on the front foot and spent about half the match to this point playing against 10.
Agree he's not there yet, we won't know until he's had a decent number of games in that position, but I see the potential there. You can't learn to be quick but you can improve your defending.
Same actually, I feel bad because I'm not trying to berate the young man. On the whole I've been pleased at how he's looked there in pre-season and the regular season. I wasn't expecting it because he's quite slight and hasn't really played there, but I agree, I think it's worth continuing him there in the cups.
68' Argyle fashion a chance. Good run from deep from Whittaker, he tries to play Ennis through. The pass was blocked, but Ennis recovered it, and crossed to Jephcott, whose header was on target, but saved by Wollacott.
3-0
Charlton fans claiming a penalty for a shirt pull, but the ref not interested. Lovely bit of defending from Lavelle down the other end, but Plymouth get the ball in, and Jephcott heads straight at Wollacott.
Question: Do we really need another LB with Clayden as an option?
Or is it just too big a risk
He's been very assured two games in a row. With him, Clare, Sessegnon and Egbo to return from injury, we don't need another full back as urgently as we all thought.
A left sided centre back to compete with Lavelle, Inniss and O'Connell would still be good though.
Question: Do we really need another LB with Clayden as an option?
Or is it just too big a risk
Yes!!!!!!! This is why I've been on about this, but playing against 10, and before that when we're on the front foot, plays to his strengths but isn't a good indicator of how he positions himself or defends. But he's young and learning a new position in a system that asks a lot of its fullbacks. We need another LB. Sess has had injury problems in the past and Egbo is injured.
By all means, try Clayden out here and there, primarily in the cups. Maybe get him a National League loan to play at LB, but if one of our fullbacks got hurt and he had to play there regularly, I think his inexperience would really show.
Comments
Or is it just too big a risk
A left sided centre back to compete with Lavelle, Inniss and O'Connell would still be good though.
By all means, try Clayden out here and there, primarily in the cups. Maybe get him a National League loan to play at LB, but if one of our fullbacks got hurt and he had to play there regularly, I think his inexperience would really show.
Great goal Whittaker.
Backing off, backing off, backing off, long range shot, bottom corner.
3-1
Post update
Corner, Charlton Athletic. Conceded by Brendan Galloway.