Joel Bagan - rare and valuable I'm beginning to think we mig

Joel Bagan - rare and valuable

Bagan might not have come through our Accademy, but it’s Southamptons loss and our gain.

I'm beginning to think we might have a problem holding on to this guy. His last couple of displays have been excellent, and now he's added scoring goals to his CV.

He also seems to have learnt all the skills that were missing from his game when he first broke into the side. Now he tracks back, tackles, runs at players, can pass short or long, beats his man, and scores.

Not all at the same time, obviously, but add to that the fact that he's left-footed, young, and confident in his game, and all of a sudden we have a desirable asset on our books. I wonder how long he'll be with us?

You could be right mate. A goal scoring left back / wingback will certainly be worth a look for some clubs providing he can keep up this form.
A massive asset for him is that even though he’s predominantly left footed he can come inside on his right (and score with his right too). That’s a big plus as he doesn’t seem to have searing pace.

You could be right mate. A goal scoring left back / wingback will certainly be worth a look for some clubs providing he can keep up this form.
A massive asset for him is that even though he’s predominantly left footed he can come inside on his right (and score with his right too). That’s a big plus as he doesn’t seem to have searing pace.

Wish he had taken that second chance on his right foot

You could be right mate. A goal scoring left back / wingback will certainly be worth a look for some clubs providing he can keep up this form.
A massive asset for him is that even though he’s predominantly left footed he can come inside on his right (and score with his right too). That’s a big plus as he doesn’t seem to have searing pace.

Wish he had taken that second chance on his right foot

If it’s the chance I’m thinking of it was his left. He blasted it with the outside of his foot.

I don’t think he realised no one was marking him, he had bags of time to even get a touch and stop the ball first. Would have been a cracker if it had gone in mind.

I don't want to criticise him after his performances over the last few games, but the way he scored the goal against Coventry, I was surprised he didn't pass it into the net with his right. He seems able to use his right foot without any problems. Still, he's young and is stepping up and in my opinion will only improve.

he will have a run of games where he isnt scoring goals and isnt making the headlines, i hope optimism and encouragement doesnt drop for him when hes not scoring goals. hes come on leaps and bounds but its still a short space of time.

he will have a run of games where he isnt scoring goals and isnt making the headlines, i hope optimism and encouragement doesnt drop for him when hes not scoring goals. hes come on leaps and bounds but its still a short space of time.

I agree. Young players go through ups and downs with performance levels and that's part of the learning process. Bagan has to be the most improved youngster this season but he has to maintain it when the games come thick and fast.

At full/wing back there may yet be a time when Morison takes him back out of the team , especially with Doughty fit again, in order to maintain energy levels. They have to do a lot of explosive running and need to be protected, Klopp does it at Liverpool and it's why Bielsa really didn't want Drameh to come to us as he was planning on using him on rotation.