Joe Rankin-Costello

[Wheelton Blue]

In the first half last night, I spotted Brereton basically sat at left wing back at times. I suspect he's been told to do so in order to protect Pickering, thus leaving our top scorer nowhere near the opposition's danger area.

On JRC, he can't be dropped on current form, rather he's a first pick. I suspect that Brittain will have a wait on his hands to get back in the side.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

1 minute ago, roversfan99 said:

I think Pickering is on par with both and I prefer full backs on their natural side.

I’m not a fan. That fuck up at Rotherham was enough for me. If I saw that in an under 15’s game I’d be shaking my head.

[Miller11]

14 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

The return of Brittain now creates a selection dilemma with Rankin Costello playing well.

Many seem in favour of moving Rankin Costello into midfield but I dont really agree. His most impressive feature aside from the Birmingham game has been his defensive ability for me. Out wide, he isnt particularly tricky and he isnt quick nor is he a brilliant crosser. The likes of Thomas, Hedges and Dolan have more individuality and speed. He is tidy technically but playing in central midfield is totally different, far more frantic ad Buckley has found who is far better technically.

I would choose to keep Rankin Costello in the side and Brittain can wait his turn.

I think I’d agree with this. 

It was interesting at the start of the second half last night when we seemed to change the system a bit. At one point it looked as though JRC had moved up front and he spent a good 15 minutes all over the park. There was obviously an instruction to try something different for a spell.

I haven’t been overly impressed with Brittain, and he certainly hasn’t had a run of good performances like JRC has. I think JRC is susceptible defensively, but no more so than Brittain has shown to be so far. Joe has offered more going forward too.

[simongarnerisgod]

 keep jrc at right back and play brittain further up the flank,very surprised at jrc`s improvement,he never lacked effort but times last season he looked like he belonged in non league,fair play to the lad i think he`s proved a lot of people wrong

[bluebruce]

Last night I was looking at him and think he's lost a little weight since last season? Seems more robust though as not been getting injured so far and more full blooded in the tackle, I think he's been really working on his fitness and it shows.

[Mike E]

JRC has the shirt to lose for me

[benhben]

Brittain walks back into the side for me. Our best fullback by far, specialist in that position and competent both going forward and at the back. Not too slow either. 

JRCs lack of pace is a massive hinderance at full back for me. If anywhere I think hed do ok in central areas where pace isnt such an issue. 

[arbitro]

13 minutes ago, benhben said:

Brittain walks back into the side for me. Our best fullback by far, specialist in that position and competent both going forward and at the back. Not too slow either. 

JRCs lack of pace is a massive hinderance at full back for me. If anywhere I think hed do ok in central areas where pace isnt such an issue. 

If Brittain gets in straight away ahead of Rankin-Costello it sends out the wrong message. He has arguably been our best player since he got into the team at Norwich in December. And I honestly haven't noticed a lack of pace from him causing us a 'hindrance' and he has played against some quick players.

[Groundhog]

I've enjoyed watching JRC give it out a bit in recent games, it's what we need. Loved watching him winding McClean up on Monday night. 

[Exiled_Rover]

On 29/01/2023 at 15:41, roverandout said:

Hedges ain't overrated 

He shouldn't be. He's a decent Championship footballer, but if you're relying on him to be a difference maker then you're not a Playoff team.

A very nice option to start a few games and bring on (pretty much anywhere) upfront for 20 minutes, if you have a good team.

[Exiled_Rover]

20 hours ago, Mike E said:

JRC has the shirt to lose for me

I think JRC has A shirt to lose, not THE shirt.

I'd slot Brittain back in at RB immediately if he's fit. You find a place for JRC elsewhere in the starting XI.

[Mike E]

15 hours ago, Exiled_Rover said:

I think JRC has A shirt to lose, not THE shirt.

I'd slot Brittain back in at RB immediately if he's fit. You find a place for JRC elsewhere in the starting XI.

Not a bad shout.

Possibly he and Travis (if improved) could make a relatively combative midfield by our standards.

[bluebruce]

On 08/02/2023 at 16:54, Exiled_Rover said:

I think JRC has A shirt to lose, not THE shirt.

I'd slot Brittain back in at RB immediately if he's fit. You find a place for JRC elsewhere in the starting XI.

Nah you keep him playing where he has been playing well. Brittain isn't going to be fully sharp even if he's fully fit, I'd bring him on off the bench to begin with and see how he does.

[yellowsubmarine]

Overall i think Brittain is a better RB than JRC. But really impressed with JRC helping out our RB issues so far. He should keep his spot until he drops form and also wait for Brittain to be fully fit.

The problem with new players like Brittain and Szmodics, is they play a few games, then they get injured. It's so hard to judge them.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

5 hours ago, bluebruce said:

Nah you keep him playing where he has been playing well. Brittain isn't going to be fully sharp even if he's fully fit, I'd bring him on off the bench to begin with and see how he does.

I’d be miffed if I was JRC and I got moved from a position were I was playing really well into a position I might not thrive. That’d be poor management in my eyes.

[ElTwis]

As others have alluded to, I think Brittain has to come back in. It looks to me that some of our problems stem from both left and right midfield having to double up at full back. JRC is an adequate 2nd choice but not fast or aware enough for a team looking towards top 6

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

He’s going to think “ I’ve been M O M a few times recently and I get moved on, what’s the point of that !”

[Andy]

He isn’t the first choice RB - Brittain is and, when fit, will start.

However JRC will be a useful squad player from now on and has the added bonus of being able to fill a few positions - a manager’s dream to have on the bench.

Will JRC like that? Probably not, but he was on of his way out of the club just a few short weeks ago.

Edited February 10, 2023 by Andy
.

[ben_the_beast]

JDT has often dropped out of form players or made players work extremely hard to win the shirt back. Unless your name is Tyler Morton or BBD that is. 

He's created a culture in the squad whereby if you put in the graft you can force yourself into the first team picture. Dropping JRC would damage this. He simply deserves to be in the team. If Brittain comes back in it should be at left back for Pondering Pickering.

[rigger]

1 minute ago, ben_the_beast said:

JDT has often dropped out of form players or made players work extremely hard to win the shirt back. Unless your name is Tyler Morton or BBD that is. 

He's created a culture in the squad whereby if you put in the graft you can force yourself into the first team picture. Dropping JRC would damage this. He simply deserves to be in the team. If Brittain comes back in it should be at left back for Pondering Pickering.

You play the best players in their correct positions. Professional players will understand that.

[roversfan99]

I know that he seemingly played in various positions with the kids, but I don't really see this versatile player at first team member. His purple patch has been built on concentration and defending well one on one, aside from the cup game v Birmingham he hasn't offered much going forward but he has been steady. He lacks the pace and skill to worry full backs and central midfield would be an all together different proposition at 100mph.

[Exiled_Rover]

11 hours ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

I’d be miffed if I was JRC and I got moved from a position were I was playing really well into a position I might not thrive. That’d be poor management in my eyes.

I guarantee JRC wants to play further forward.

[joey_big_nose]

Id say with Brittain back the thinking will be how to get him, JRC, Thomas and Dack all into the same team as they look the form attacking players. Could go 442 .and drop Brereton with a classic little and little front line? Our striker options are so rubbish.

                        Kaminski

Brittain.     Carter   Wharton.  Pickering 

   JRC.      Travis.    Buckley   Thomas

                   Dack        Dolan

 

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

37 minutes ago, joey_big_nose said:

Id say with Brittain back the thinking will be how to get him, JRC, Thomas and Dack all into the same team as they look the form attacking players. Could go 442 .and drop Brereton with a classic little and little front line? Our striker options are so rubbish.

                        Kaminski

Brittain.     Carter   Wharton.  Pickering 

   JRC.      Travis.    Buckley   Thomas

                   Dack        Dolan

 

We’d be severely lacking height defending corners.

[Sweaty Gussets]

On 10/02/2023 at 20:35, roversfan99 said:

His purple patch has been built on concentration and defending well one on one, aside from the cup game v Birmingham he hasn't offered much going forward but he has been steady.

It was wrong when you posted it, but even more wrong less than 24 hours later when he pirouetted in the box like Rudolf Nureyev and got an assist for Dack's goal.