Done is better than Lafferty

[nopigfansintown]

IF Riley comes in, I expect Done's days at fullback to be over. Riley is a right footer who plays left back. You'd expect he can do a job on his natural side, so that's both wing back/full back positions covered. Now Lavery is up to speed and proved he can fit the pressing model, you'd expect Done's role will become more peripheral. I still expect him to replace Lavery against tiring defences, and to start games in two game weeks when Lavery is flagging. This will happen when Lavery is not physically capable of maintaining - the so far season defining - high press; not, merely, if Lavery's goal return diminishes. Its all up to Lavery! If Wilder brings in another striker that has similar characteristics to those shown by Lavery's in the last few games, Done will be a substitute at best. This is not to deride Done's contribution: his best work is done without the ball, and to progress we need someone who really aids the team with the ball too. The pressing style has defined the season, and Done's contribution has allowed us to progress and develop his successor without dropping too many points. The fact that he has added more than anyone not named Sharp or Duffy to the success of the high press shouldn't be neglected; but we have to improve the constituent parts of the system as and when we can. We will, hopefully, see this happen to the other players - It is necessary if we are to continue progressing. I would swap Countinho for Duffy, and Lewandowski for Sharp in a heartbeat, and they're my favourite players.

 

[Grizzly blade]

Here's the thing.

Done is useful to have now, he closes defenders well and increases pressure and causes mistakes in players lacking technical ability. He's also left footed and can cross a ball.

But in the leagues above, where ability is better he isn't quick enough to cause them a problem through pressing the back line....neither is sharp for that matter.

Let's just leave it here....Done is part of a squad at the top of the league. He might not have contributed with goals as he might have wanted, but he's part of that squad nonetheless.

 

[Booker4]

Done's fully worth his place in the squad for me. He totally is suited to Wilder's pressing game. I would say he is ideally suited to come off the bench in the last half an hour of games to cause problems for the opposition. I'd be disappointed if he wasn't offered a new contract for next season, irrespective of which league we're in because he would always have a role if I was Wilder.

 

[Yewsman]

I did not see Done play yesterday but his performances as LWB/LB last season were an embarrassment and from what I have seen he is light years behind Lafferty. When he first came in under Clough as a striker he looked good and forced defenders into errors and scored quite a few goals but even Clough eventually did ot seem to know where he fitted in and started playing him LMF. I can see that he does bring something to this team in terms of pressing but I think he is the only player who has actually got worse under Wilder in that he has completely lost the ability to score. He might be OK as a squad member for the rest of the season but he certainly would not cut it in the Championship if we get there.

UTB

 

[SRBlade]

Left sided defender playing at left wing back. Consistently part of the most form team in the division.

But let's look at needlessly dropping him for a left sided forward.

I saw someone on the shoutbox yesterday say "I hate fucking hate Lafferty".

The fuck?

Bonkers, even if Dean Hammond was still part of this squad he couldn't be hated, we're top of the league and we're fucking mint.

 

[JohnDenver]

I did not see Done play yesterday but his performances as LWB/LB last season were an embarrassment and from what I have seen he is light years behind Lafferty. When he first came in under Clough as a striker he looked good and forced defenders into errors and scored quite a few goals but even Clough eventually did ot seem to know where he fitted in and started playing him LMF. I can see that he does bring something to this team in terms of pressing but I think he is the only player who has actually got worse under Wilder in that he has completely lost the ability to score. He might be OK as a squad member for the rest of the season but he certainly would not cut it in the Championship if we get there.

UTB

Done's best games were under Clough and as a lone striker. His sheer work rate allowed us to play Clough's system with 5 in midfield, and his primary role was to cover the ground.

The trouble is, I don't think he's a natural striker and that's highlighted by his struggle to score when in a front two. By rights he should have had a few tap-ins if nothing else.

A useful and unselfish player at this level, but without the goals he'll not progress higher.

 

[DangerBlades]

Have a word!

 

[Woodwardfan]

Well said Fulwood, there's no need for this personal abuse, some join in when it's on offer. Not sure the signing of Carruthers is to put pressure on Duffy, rather cover for him and probably complement him in the different circumstances which arise in games.

As for the OP, I agree that Done is under pressure for his standing within the squad and could leave in the summer. He's seems to have lost what we signed him for, and that was a purple patch of a few months in a long career without the goal knack. A panic signing for us when we lost out on O'Grady right at the end of the JTW. In fact he's been a winger most of his career, not a striker or a wing back.

As for Lafferty, Wilder knows all about continuity, reliability, shape and balance in the team, professional players with bottle and character. Surely games and seasons go through stages. Lafferty has been an important member of our first team in a marvellous run of success after a poor start ( did he play in the first few games, maybe not). He rarely figures in the best 6 players in our Ratings and yet he rarely makes errors like the one last Saturday. Unassuming, unspectacular but steady and reliable. At this stage of the season he is one of Wilder's first names on the teamsheet. Wilder knows at certain stages of any game he can be more expansive by substituting him - not often needed thankfully. Lafferty knows the game and plays where needed, doing a lot of "unseen" work(!) off the ball.

Since I questioned his inclusion a few weeks ago I have watched him closely and started to appreciate him a lot more. Thanks to Forum members who put me right then.

 

[The Vicar]

Anyone there today could see that Done is no FB or WB, Lafferty is much more suited to the role. Who's Riley????????

 

[spongebobblade]

Anyone there today could see that Done is no FB or WB, Lafferty is much more suited to the role. Who's Riley????????

He got forward as well as Lafferty does and he wasn't responsible for any of the goals. He wasn't brilliant but then who was? Done at wingback was the least of our problems today. He did ok. No more, no less

 

[Bruce Wayne]

Anyone there today could see that Done is no FB or WB, Lafferty is much more suited to the role. Who's Riley????????

Not much of a striker either, is there a role for him? Mascot? Flag waver?