SAKA, ANTONY AND 10 PREMIER LEAGUE STARS HEADING TO THEIR FIRST WORLD CUP
Fulham vs Brighton wasn’t a match for the ages by any stretch of the imagination.
The Whites struggled in front of goal, and Alphonse Areola kept them in the game, and while many will now implore Scott Parker to make changes after Fulham suffered their ninth game in a row without a league win, there’s one man who is giving him the biggest selection headache.
We’re talking about Bobby Decordova-Reid.
Decordova-Reid was utilised in yet another new position at The Amex as he played left-wing-back for Fulham, and to nobody’s surprise, he took to that role like a duck to water.
He didn’t provide the electric pace and drive of Antonee Robinson, nor did he provide the pinpoint crossing of Joe Bryan, but he did a more than respectable job in another new role.
The Jamaica international made more interceptions than any other player, while also blocking one shot.
His impressive performance in defence was important in Fulham getting a draw against the Seagulls, but it perfectly highlights the problem Parker has with Decordova-Reid.
The 27-year-old is an incredibly hard worker, and the fact that he made five interceptions shows how well he can read a game.
However, his defensive acumen is also a hindrance to Fulham’s attack.
Yes, if Decordova-Reid is played at the back he can be a big asset, but is the best way to use your top scorer playing him at left-wing-back?
Decordova-Reid does a fantastic job wherever he is utilised, but he’s yet to really make a position his own, and that is both a blessing and a curse for Fulham.
Playing your top scorer as a striker makes a lot of sense, but using him up top takes away the defensive side of the game, while using him down the wing would mean you’d need to move either Ademola Lookman or the ever-improving Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
There definitely needs to be a space for Decordova-Reid in the XI, after all, he’s arguably been Fulham’s best player this season, but finding the right position for him to play in regularly must be keeping Parker up at night.
