I think the third paragraph was especially evident today. Kane and Bidwell together means our ability to play through the wing backs, and push their full backs deeper is greatly reduced.
Appreciate Kane wasn’t great today but he can offer an attacking threat through this crossing. Not sure what Bidwells “thing” is yet.
But we need the ability of a Dabo or Maatsen to keeps some dynamism and variance for the opposition to think about.
I think what we now have are options.
Kane and Bidwell are probably better natural full backs than Maatsen and Dabo.
Maatsen and Dabo are better wing backs than Kane and Bidwell.
Having the option of switching the play to be more defensive when winning / viceversa were the thoughts behind getting him (Bidwell) in.
So far he’s been played all over the place and hasn’t set the world alight. That doesn’t mean he should be written off, just that he hasn’t set the world alight. Yet. But 300 games or whatever at this level suggests he’s capable.
He’s 29 next month and has been given a 3.5 year deal to take him to 32. I always question the logic of signing experienced championship players (probably on decent money) with little re-sale potential. Waghorn another.
With regards Sheaf, I’ll freely admit that I vented my frustration earlier this season.
I suggested he was a liability due to the number of times he got caught dithering in possession. The number of poor pass choices. I suggested he needed to work on that. For whatever reason, he now loses the ball less, there are one or two occasions but not the catalogue he has earlier. He’s developed and is a better player for it.
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