Outstanding yet again yesterday, seen a bit of praise for him this last few weeks, but think he’s dipped under the radar a little bit. Got every chance of making that RB spot his own
It is his own for me. He’s done really well. I think he’s looked better at right back than in the middle & with the depth we have in central midfield he might not get a league game there so it’s worked out well for him getting a run at right back
Very good player judging by what we've seen so far. Think we'll struggle to keep hold of him if we don't go up in the next couple of seasons.
Totally agree but there's not a lot wrong with Watson who plays a more conventional RB role and holds his position. great to have options. We all wondered how the new guys would look but JB has been an absolute bonus. If we'd bought him we'd be praising Sormez ( Not summat av done much)
Some of our best players came in via the academy, this run by our former (interim) director of football.
Agreed. Once we're fully personnel settled, Bland should leave full backing behind. Cos he isn't one. He's turning into a pretty decent player though, to my surprise and delight.
Agreed I think him and vimal have great futures in the game still only 19 both of them. Looking forward to watching them develop.
I think sometimes at right back he gets caught with a ball played in behind a bit too easily. It happened a few times yesterday but Bolton do have pacy wingers in fairness and it’s not his natural position. However, it shows the level that he’s at when he can slot in there and not look out of place. I said similar last season when he came into the side. I hope midfield is where we will see him most in his Barnsley career but I accept that is tough to get in right now. He’s got a massive future ahead of him.
Rarely goes forward with the ball. Maybe that's Conor telling him to pass backwards and sidewards all the time, but it's frustrating.
He was done twice quite early on, and that ball was on on at least another two occasions, but the 19 failed to spot the runner. I like Bland. He’s proper sturdy, really steady. That’s a huge compliment for a teenager who hasn’t played a lot of football. But he isn’t a full back. He’s better in midfield for me. As he showed in midweek.
Yep, agree with all of this. I remember wincing a couple of times when they were coming forward and their left winger had acres of space. I think in midfield he will end up as someone who will play many games at championship level. As you say, incredibly steady. Not flashy and likely to score 30 yard screamers but will always be a solid 7 or 8/10 most weeks.
I thought both full backs looked jittery early on ,but improved as the game went on. That ball into the box from the left back early first half was as good as we will see ,I was waiting for the net bulging.
One of our best prospects. Sooner see him in the middle, but Nicky Eadon trod a similar path to right back and what a great player he turned out to be for the Reds.
We've had easy balls played in behind our full backs in every league game so that's a harsh criticism of Bland in my opinion, Conor wants to play brave football and that might have to be a consequence that we need to accept. Bland looks a quality player that makes everything look easy and will only get better.
Reminds me of when we got promoted and scowen was playing right back. Probably not his preferred position but he’s great there
He’s going to be a good un. He frustrated me a little yesterday as his first instinct when receiving the ball was to look backwards. I think as his confidence grows he’ll be more forward thinking and able to demonstrate his considerable talents.
