Zak Brunt

[Deadbat]

Yeah I thought he was very ordinary. He gave it away a fair bit first half and was at fault for the goal. Few decent crossfire balls and one decent tackle but another who lacks strength, height and real ability to dribble or play forward passes in that albeit limited evidence.

I though him, Jebbison and Bogle were our three poorest players tonight even though it does not suit some fans agenda who say it must be Burke and Robinson. Both of these were average too though!

 

[Borat]

With the greatest of respect to the lad I didn't see much tonight to think he should be turning out in league games at present.

Based on tonight’s performance I wouldn’t disagree with you. There are others better equipped to play the sitter role right now. Played higher up he’s a completely different player.

 

[S64 Blade]

Ordinary, but then so is Norwood (at best). Can only improve by getting game time at this age.

 

[Yogi]

Tidy in everything he did tonight, but looked to play a very safe ball every time, and seemed rather passive, for me. Took the ball off the CHs and gave it to those ahead of him effectively enough, in the classic ‘water carrier’ stylee, but not sure he really influenced play too much. Certainly never tried to beat a man.

This would potentially look v different if those he gives the ball to, higher up the pitch, are more dynamic than they were tonight. In that scenario, a water carrier (Norwood without the ping) can be a vital link.

As it was, the goals aside Derby reserves proper bossed us for 30 mins in the second half, and one reason for that was our lack of bite in midfield, again.

GLTTL. But on tonight’s showing I’m not sure he’s near the first team yet.

That’s what he did for the 23’s last season he was the player operating in the half space from midfield linking with one of the strikers and the advance fullback down either side to create triangles out wide and play round teams. He’s neat and tidy but not really a CDM so was out of position in that respect last night nice to hear he did ok.

 

[mancunianblade]

Ordinary, but then so is Norwood (at best). Can only improve by getting game time at this age.

very true, in someone else’s team in league 2

 

[blade67]

I’ll say one thing for Freeman, he gets into good positions, as evidenced by the goal. He offers much more than any other midfielder we have in that respect and we really miss someone attacking those spaces. His end product may come with fitness and sharpness - I wouldn’t be against him getting a game at Luton. Fleck was good when he came on though.

Freeman has to be one of the most frustrating players in the squad. As you say he's got some attrributes in the final 3rd and I guess if we set ourselves up to play to his strengths he might be that creating player we have been lacking but you can't really give him too many defensive duties or expect him to travel with the ball either.

A proper luxury player in my opinion. I'm not saying he couldn't work, but not in any of the formations we've seen him play in

 

[ATL Recs]

Why are so many fans obsessed with taking a previous part of our history and convincing themselves it will happen again for no reason whatsoever.

Because it does it’s the United way

 

[S64 Blade]

very true, in someone else’s team in league 2

Norwood in someone else's team, or Brunt? Or both?

 

[Wards]

You’ve obviously seen your lad much more than all of us on here put together Borat - where’s his natural position? More of a Fleck type or are we talking more of a number ‘10’ role?

 

[mancunianblade]

Norwood in someone else's team, or Brunt? Or both?

Both, Norwood permanently and Brunt temporarily. He’s certainly ready for the football league just not quite ready for the Championship.

Norwood is a great player I just think along with a couple of others the losing mentality is engrained and for the sake of us and him it’s best if he moves on.

 

[Bert]

Norwood is a great player

He was once a good player, he's never been great.

Now he's very average.

 

[Borat]

You’ve obviously seen your lad much more than all of us on here put together Borat - where’s his natural position? More of a Fleck type or are we talking more of a number ‘10’ role?

As a number 10. He makes intelligent runs and is a real nuisance for the opposition.

But......playing as a sitter will improve him as defensively he’s a lot to learn. Is he ready for The Championship as a defensive midfielder? In my opinion no. Is he ready as a number 10? Absolutely!

 

[Rochdaleblade]

I get that Brunt and Jebbo made howlers last night, but there are plenty of players who have been dogshit for 18 months or so. For me, I would like to see Jebbison up front and Brunt and Lopata at least on the bench.

 

[Maidenhead]

By the sounds of it, his dad pimped him out to everybody as a kid. Fair do's, clearly worked out in the end

Not sure that he's reached the end yet.

 

[Yogi]

Borat congrats to your lad on last night imagine it meant a lot coming away with a win against derby after everything that’s happened in the past

 

[Deadbat]

As a number 10. He makes intelligent runs and is a real nuisance for the opposition.

But......playing as a sitter will improve him as defensively he’s a lot to learn. Is he ready for The Championship as a defensive midfielder? In my opinion no. Is he ready as a number 10? Absolutely!

Would like to see him inn that role for the 1st team. Odd if that's his best position we are not playing him there? I think defensive midfield we need physicality and more mobility and believe we need a signing here badly.

 

[Balham]

I can't hold too much against Brunt when he played in a midfield two with Luke Freeman (an out-and-out #10) behind David McGoldrick (a roving forward). That put an awful lot of defensive responsibility on Brunt's shoulders.

Would like to see him inn that role for the 1st team. Odd if that's his best position we are not playing him there? I think defensive midfield we need physicality and more mobility and believe we need a signing here badly.

We're still incredibly light on numbers in midfield. Given Jokanovic is changing his entire team for the cup that doesn't leave many options for the midfield - basically it's two of Freeman, Osborn and Brunt until we get some more bodies in.

 

[Borat]

Borat congrats to your lad on last night imagine it meant a lot coming away with a win against derby after everything that’s happened in the past

Thanks mate, yeah it was all about the victory. Their treatment of him was unforgivable and I think aside from playing a new position he was too emotionally involved.

 

[adamawdhali]

Thanks mate, yeah it was all about the victory. Their treatment of him was unforgivable and I think aside from playing a new position he was too emotionally involved.

Was he celebrating towards you after each goal or was the celebration directed at the Derby fans?

 

[Borat]

Was he celebrating towards you after each goal or was the celebration directed at the Derby fans?

The goal celebration was for the Rams Fans, and the celebration at the end was for me, which was a nice touch.

 

[adamawdhali]

The goal celebration was for the Rams Fans, and the celebration at the end was for me, which was a nice touch.

I can imagine zak knew quite a few of their lads last night

 

[Borat]

I can imagine zak knew quite a few of their lads last night

He did, and he still gets ok with them well. There was never any ill feeling with the players, it was the hierarchy that caused all the issues.

 

[Wright1889]

Still training with the first team it seems. Squad for Saturday?

 

[Dnblade]

Thought he did ok watching the replay. Playing the Norwood role first half, which I believe he's unfamiliar with, and in a 532 with Freeman and McG either side is a bit makeshift.
Fleck coming on gave him more help and we changed shape.
Thought all the young lads did ok without setting the world alight.. Gordon was probably the stand out, but Brunt did ok for me.

 

[Yogi]

He did, and he still gets ok with them well. There was never any ill feeling with the players, it was the hierarchy that caused all the issues.

I know a few of the Derby lads a few age groups older than your Zak and their experiences have turned them away from the game to completely so credit to him for sticking with it.

 

[Kop sufferer]

I get that Brunt and Jebbo made howlers last night, but there are plenty of players who have been dogshit for 18 months or so. For me, I would like to see Jebbison up front and Brunt and Lopata at least on the bench.

Yep, if the manages intentions are to stick with these younger players, then he's got to stick with them until a time comes when he decides it's never going to happen. Trouble is in our current situation have we got the time to devote to their 1st team development.

 

[Kev Gee]

I get that Brunt and Jebbo made howlers last night, but there are plenty of players who have been dogshit for 18 months or so. For me, I would like to see Jebbison up front and Brunt and Lopata at least on the bench.

I agree with this.
These are young players who will make some mistakes, but also learn from them.
Can we honestly say that they are playing any worse than seasoned pros who are on huge wages compared to the youngsters first pro deals.
They can surely be options off the bench.

 

[Borat]

I know a few of the Derby lads a few age groups older than your Zak and their experiences have turned them away from the game to completely so credit to him for sticking with it.

Some of the stuff that goes on at these academies is totally wrong. The bullying and mental torture is disgusting. Zak gets a lot of stick for having more clubs than Tiger Woods but we only ever moved on after issues with staff or coaches.

It goes on all the time but too many parents are worried to speak up because the carrot of being a pro footballer is too enticing. I’ve been accused in the past of prostituting Zak around by shifting him, the reality is I was putting his well being before the potential rewards of becoming a pro. I didn’t want him around some of the cretins we encountered.

I can say that in our experience The Blades academy has been superior to every single academy in its treatment of young lads.

 

[Flatulent_Bob]

I can say that in our experience The Blades academy has been superior to every single academy in its treatment of young lads.

"Like" Whore

 

[Varkanoid]

I get that Brunt and Jebbo made howlers last night, but there are plenty of players who have been dogshit for 18 months or so. For me, I would like to see Jebbison up front and Brunt and Lopata at least on the bench.

With these three they are young and still learning so have the chance to get better. With some of the regular first team its like the old saying "you cant teach an old dog new tricks" especially when they "appear" not to be trying or dont seem to care.