I've seen lots of positive comments this weekend about Holgate's performance after moving into the middle on Saturday, and I too thought he did extremely well handling everything that was thrown at him. But, I think we should remember that they only had one up top, and M'Voto did all the marking work, allowing Holgate to basically play as a free man at the back - he wasn't put under any pressure at all. Much easier to make an impression playing like that than when you've got a striker to mark. He's done OK at right back and showed up well enough on Saturday to deserve another go at CH if others are unavailable, but I'd be quite concerned about sticking him in as first choice centre back right now - mainly because of his physical stature. Lots to come from the kid I'm sure, but we need to look after him and not expect too much too soon. Cue man of the match performance playing in the middle at Donny on Saturday - fingers crossed!
I've confidence in him doing well wherever he plays across the back four. Already been said many times but his calmness, distribution and timing with regard to standing off and putting in a challenge remind me of John Stones. I'd like to see as much of him as possible before he inevitably gets sold to a Premier League side.
You have to laugh a bit - Holgate was my man of the match - though very close with Pearson. but still you managed to somehow find a negative. Not even a real negative just a possible one. He didnt put a foot wrong all game and covered really well for both Smith and Williams when they ventured forwards. I was really impressed with his reading of the game - and he definitely won some headers in the box - I thought MVoto had a great game as well - one error aside - we never looked in any trouble from crosses -and the Yeovil CF must be having nightmares
I know it means not being able to have the same back four every week (when does that actually happen anyway?), but I dont know why we haven't used M'voto more often. We have played teams like Yeovil in the past with one big striker that is there only real outlet and allowed Nyatanga, Cranie and even to a certain extent Ramage to be out muscled. M'voto simply does not allow this to happen. Granted against a tricky little guy with a low centre of gravity M'voto can be shown up badly, but if they have one big guy up there why not play him. They didn't get a sniff.
Usually the ideal is one big ball winning CB & one mobile one, ala Ferdinand & Terry for example, so think Holgate with either Ramage or M'Voto should work fine.
Could not agree more. He looked tidy in what he was asked to do which was, all in all, very little. He's looked steady since his introduction but not the World beater many are claiming.
I've heard people mention holgates size and strength before but I've NEVER seen him bee outmuscled for a ball yet since he came into the first team and he didn't look like a weak 10 year old when he won the ball to set up our first goal on Saturday I've seen loads of our big strikers get out muscled in that situation before but holgate stood his ground and set up a goal
When Nyatanga and M'Voto played centre half last season (due to injuries), we actually played better. Your best defense isnt necessarily the best two (or four) defenders. You need a compliment of skills and attributes.
Who's claimed that? He's looked very good to me. Wouldn't call him a world beater or owt though. Not yet.
