[Albion] Impressed by Bernardo

[trueblue]

Good to see him returning to form. Could be a very useful asset down the left if he can keep up that level of performance.

 

[Invicta]

Decent performance, got better as the game went on. Deserves a run of games.

 

[Ali_rrr]

Thought he was dire until the fantastic interception to stop Mahrez scoring - from then on, he was excellent. I'm sure confidence is a big part of it for him. Thought he was great under Hughton whenever I saw him play but something has clearly gone wrong since Potter came in. I still feel there is huge potential there and would love to see more of him in an Albion shirt (having thought he'd definitely be off this January).

Agree with this. I think it gave him a huge confidence boost when he intercepted a certain goal. Before then he looked lethargic but after he looked assured.

 

[AZ Gull]

Would be quite surprised if he was still here when the window shuts, to be honest. Potter has gone on record as saying that he wants to reduce the squad of around 28 - with Tau and Moder already in-coming, that leaves quite a few departures still to happen, and given how little Bernardo was involved earlier this season he's surely one of the prime candidates (if anyone wants him, of course).

[TWEET]1349862120905723905[/TWEET]

 

[DarrenFreemansPerm]

That leaves us incredibly light at left back, I can’t see anyone coming in as we’ve got the Polish lad joining in the summer.

 

[Garry Nelson's Left Foot]

I don’t know whether I’ve got a distorted memory but I thought he was really good under Hughton? That’s not a criticism of Potter, sometimes players don’t fit systems but I’m glad to see he’s showing some ability again.

I'm in a similar position. I thought he showed lots of promise in that first season. Solid enough defensively, pacey and willing to get forward and provide an attacking threat.

Pretty much everything I've seen of him in the past 18 months, limited as his opportunities have been, suggest that he's not good enough.

My conclusion is that he's an average player that fits certain systems. Hughton's system was defensive so if he got caught out of position there was plenty of cover so it wasn't too noticeable or costly. Potter's system is the opposite so being poor positionally is more of a problem and much more noticeable.

Likewise in terms of attacking he was replacing Bong, who as good as he was defensively, rarely offered any kind of attacking threat so compared to that having a full back racing up and down the flank all game was a big change. Now he's in a team loaded with decent attacking footballers he doesn't stand out as particularly good.

That all said, after a wonky first 20 minutes, he had a good game against City.

 

[DarrenFreemansPerm]

I'm in a similar position. I thought he showed lots of promise in that first season. Solid enough defensively, pacey and willing to get forward and provide an attacking threat.

Pretty much everything I've seen of him in the past 18 months, limited as his opportunities have been, suggest that he's not good enough.

My conclusion is that he's an average player that fits certain systems. Hughton's system was defensive so if he got caught out of position there was plenty of cover so it wasn't too noticeable or costly. Potter's system is the opposite so being poor positionally is more of a problem and much more noticeable.

Likewise in terms of attacking he was replacing Bong, who as good as he was defensively, rarely offered any kind of attacking threat so compared to that having a full back racing up and down the flank all game was a big change. Now he's in a team loaded with decent attacking footballers he doesn't stand out as particularly good.

That all said, after a wonky first 20 minutes, he had a good game against City.

And now he’s off to Salzburg so it’s all irrelevant

 

[Icy Gull]

If nobody else is coming in this is akin to releasing two forwards in the first month of last season. Bloody bizarre and somewhat risky imo

 

[HastingsSeagull]

March and Burn then I guess neither of which is exactly a left back. Surely limits our formation options but hey does leave plenty for Potter to tinker around with.

Assume there's no academy star at left back? Failing to think of anyone who might be a shock promotion until the Pole in the Summer.

 

[AZ Gull]

March and Burn then I guess neither of which is exactly a left back. Surely limits our formation options but hey does leave plenty for Potter to tinker around with.

Assume there's no academy star at left back? Failing to think of anyone who might be a shock promotion until the Pole in the Summer.

The only true, specialist left-back in the development squad is James Furlong. Ayo Tanimowo has actually started more games for the U-23s at left-back this season than Furlong, but he has primarily played as a right-back in his career previously.

Zak Sturge has shown a lot of promise (making his debut for the U-23s against Manchester City six weeks ago) but he is only a 1st-year scholar.

(And, of course, Alex Cochrane is currently out on loan at USG).