Digby a Central Defender (Man Utd)

Have we been playing Digby in the wrong position?


The Reds grew in stature as the match wore on with Paul Digby, on trial from Barnsley, looking composed in the middle of defence. Attacking-wise, another Love centre fizzed across the six-yard box and Demetri Mitchell, on for the impressive Fosu-Mensah, sent a free-kick into the side-netting. Finally, Fletcher worked Hurst in the dying seconds as both teams searched in vain for a winner in this entertaining, all-square affair watched by 2,278 fans.

 

With Nyatanga and Holgate (for now) already in situ, and having signed Roberts and Mawson, this can hardly be Lee Johnson's view, can it? I recall late on last season Johnson saying something like: some people think Paul's no good; some people think he's the best thing since sliced bread; I haven't seen anything to support either view [I paraphrase].

If the comment about Digby preferring to stay (on the other thread) is accurate, I can see why. He could learn an awful lot about imposing himself, being positive and about effective distribution from watching Ben Pearson and Josh Scowan. But even if he improves these aspects of his game, would he fit the team Johnson is building? That is stated to be built around fast attacking midfielders who will also track back - not attributes I'd associate with Digby on what we've seen so far. If he does develop his game like that I'll be the first to cheer him.

 

I along with a dozen or so on here, have been saying for months that he'd make a good centre half.

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Been saying the same. His physical attributes, composure and passing range all suit to being the perfect modern day centre half. Positional sense, heading and tackling we're still to see but id have give him a run there a long time back.

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Bobby Hassell always felt Digby would make a centre half.

I'm still very unsure about him. Not sure if his pace will stop him playing at a decent level. His injury record is also shockingly bad. Would be amazed if Man Utd signed him but what do I know?

 

This.

Also would add that trying him at CH is something I'd do but it doesn't look like LJ agrees.

 

In midfield he's up against Pearson, Scowan, Hourihane, Williams, Rothwell, Watkins, and any other up an coming youngsters.

At centre back he'd be up against Nyatanga, Holgate (maybe), Roberts, Mawson and Cowgill.

You need talent, timely development and a certain amount of good luck. Like RNL before him, I feel it may not be happening for Digby. If he walks out at Old Trafford anytime soon, good luck to him. But I wouldn't put him in our team at the moment given what Lee is building.

 

I always thought that centre halves need to be able to tackle and head the ball. Not things we've seen much of so far from him. Maybe they are suddenly new skills that he is learning?

 

He wore the number 5 shirt last night, maybe they've seen something Alan Hanson esque in him, if we end up playing 3 at the back you never know

 

He can be quite slow and gets caught in possession quite often. Not something you want from a centre back. He's certainly a bit of an enigma.