Bergen Blade
Well-Known Member
First of all, let's agree on his position. I don't know why people are comparing him to MIchael Doyle. He's taken over Connor Coady's role in a 4-5-1 formation that has one central midfielder, Reed yesterday, sitting deeper than the other two. The other two are Basham and Scougall, to the right and left of Reed.

Basham and Scougall are being urged to go forward and beyond Higdon up front. Both are supposed to make off the ball runs into the box. Scougall with his good pace and ball control is encouraged to run on the ball, while Basham is first and foremost supposed to get into the box to use his physique and height to get on the end of crosses and any dropping ball.
Basham did get into the box loads of times, especially first half, and also got back defensively. In terms of miles covered and work rate, he did what I expected from him, although Bristol City having three centre halves made it difficult to actually get on to balls in the box.
On the ball he was rather poor. His touch is not the best, you can see the difference between him and the likes of Reed and Scougall whose first touch is excellent and allows them to just pass it on with their second touch. Basham looks more clumsy and often needs an extra touch. This lead to him losing possession a few times, and it's why people have, quite rightly, given him poor ratings, it wasn't his game.
We need to keep assessing if he is right for Coady's role. I think he will get a few goals, but it remains to be seen if his ability on the ball is good enough for such an attacking position.

Basham and Scougall are being urged to go forward and beyond Higdon up front. Both are supposed to make off the ball runs into the box. Scougall with his good pace and ball control is encouraged to run on the ball, while Basham is first and foremost supposed to get into the box to use his physique and height to get on the end of crosses and any dropping ball.
Basham did get into the box loads of times, especially first half, and also got back defensively. In terms of miles covered and work rate, he did what I expected from him, although Bristol City having three centre halves made it difficult to actually get on to balls in the box.
On the ball he was rather poor. His touch is not the best, you can see the difference between him and the likes of Reed and Scougall whose first touch is excellent and allows them to just pass it on with their second touch. Basham looks more clumsy and often needs an extra touch. This lead to him losing possession a few times, and it's why people have, quite rightly, given him poor ratings, it wasn't his game.
We need to keep assessing if he is right for Coady's role. I think he will get a few goals, but it remains to be seen if his ability on the ball is good enough for such an attacking position.