Zack Elbouzedi
Apps 3 (3) Goals 2
Best Outing – Shrewsbury EFL Trophy
Technically, Zack shouldn’t be on this list as he isn’t here at the moment, but I felt it wrong to miss him off when he has been a significant part of the matchday squad. Besides, he qualifies under my self-imposed appearances rule, so even if he is on loan at Bolton, I can move to say a few words on here.
I wanted to mention Zack because he was one I felt looked a different player after the summer. He looked stronger, more prepared for senior football than the youngster who joined a year ago. I think with Zack, the main issue is compatibility between our style and his attributes. He would be superb against Portsmouth for the first 30 minutes, where we invited possession and broke at speed, but for me, we have better options for the final 60, where we need patience and guile, and that applies across the 23-game league season so far. He has some great attributes but has really only been a bit-part player and inevitably went out on loan for the rest of the season earlier in the month. I would love to see him develop and come back armed not only with his explosive pace but a more adaptable approach all round.
John Richards Says – He’s ‘blink and you miss him’ quick, but raw at the same time. He’s in the right place now, getting senior football and exposure to the rough and tumble of League Two. There’s a good League One winger in there, a bloody fast one too, and his future is in his own hands.
Mark: C
TJ Eyoma
Apps 30 (1) Goals 0
Best Outing – Portsmouth (A)
Think about this – as recently as September, TJ Eyoma hadn’t kicked a football in anger in the Football League. When you then watch him in action on a Saturday afternoon, try to imagine him as a raw, wet-behind-the-ears youngster from the Premier League. You can’t. The truth is when TJ Eyoma has the ball, he could be a pro with six or seven years of experience under his belt. He is so good in possession, keeps it simple when he needs to, but adds real weight to our attacks down the righthand side.
I’m not sure the wingers and attacking players would look as good if they didn’t have Eyoma (and Edun) helping facilitate those intricate passing moves. The fact he has started all of his games bar one, and that he looks equally as comfortable at right-back as he does in the middle, makes me think he has a big future in the game.
In terms of his best game, he’s pulled some great ratings out of the bag with SW readers, Crewe away, Plymouth and home and Charlton at home amongst the best. He is currently pulling an 8.1 for his performance the other night, a solid score from a great evening of football.
Dan Norton says – TJ is probably one of the best defenders we’ve ever had at Sincil Bank. Not a natural right-back but plays in that position superbly well. Composed, strong, quick and gets up and down the pitch amazingly well.