Reo Hatate or David Turnbull? Turnbull on the bench would be harsh decision by Brendan Rodgers up against Aberdeen as he weighs up whether to go with a man in form or the better player.
Sunday’s fixture at Pittodrie is our first big test of the season so a full strength side is a must. Brendan Rodgers, however, faces a dilemma in the centre of the park regarding David Turnbull and Reo Hatate.
The Scotland man was a surprise starter against Ross County at the expense of the Japanese international. He didn’t waste the opportunity and grabbed a double in a fine performance.
All eyes will be on the team sheet tomorrow to see who is Brendan’s choice in the middle of the park. Will it be the goal scoring threat of Turnbull or the craft and guile of Hatate? Tough decision indeed, but that’s why Brendan is paid the big bucks.
In my opinion Turnbull deserves to start after his performance and attitude on the flag day victory over Ross County. He has the talent, but maybe lost his way a bit the last year or so, and Brendan has helped him rediscover that form.
Reo is clearly the better player, but Turnbull grabbed his opportunity with both hands last week and deserves to start at Pittodrie. Whether he does or not remains to be seen.
Tomorrow will be interesting.
Just an Ordinary Bhoy
I am not convinced that Hatate is better than Bull. Everyone seems to forget that Bull was ever present in Ange’s first 4 months until he pulled his hamstring in the league cup final. Ange even iterated this after the final that he was excellent and was ever present and maybe too much was put on him in that period.
Bull is a bigger goal threat as has been proven. Also it is telling what Mat O’Reilly says about him last week. Reo is talented but can’t even get down for the huddle. It appears to me that Hatate thinks he is billy big bauz and Rodgers is telling him he isn’t and quite rightly so.
Also Hatate’s game has gone down hill since March. he has given the ball away more than any other player in pre season, It seems he thinks he is destined for the top, however not a top 6 EPL side would take him, so he will need to go to a lower club in the EPL. If he has the same attitude then his next destination will be the bench then back to Japan.
He needs to realise that if he wants a top move then the way you do that is by being top drawer for your current club. Not stropping about the place and not playing well. It is also becoming apparent now with Rodgers here that Ange’s signing policy wasn’t as good as first thought with only half the Japan players fit for purpose in Kyogo, Hatate & Maeda. The other 3 can leave as far as I am concerned.
We are a great platform for players, but they need to produce consistently and every week. Also the EPL clubs will look to how he does in the UCL. He didn’t cover himself in glory apart from the first game at home against Real. And if we are being honest, none of the Japanese players stepped up in that competition, and looked bereft of quality in that league!
A Dillemma? there is no dillemma. Rodgers has made it clear he wants players to take on his methods & Turnbull has & Hatate hasn’t prefers to tell media every opportunity he wants to try the EPL. He’s looked distant past couple of weeks as if he thought he’d be in England by now. Some player but attitude has changed.