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Ben Purrington - signed for Ross County (p23)
Comments
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He's young enough to continue to develop with the right coaching.Callumcafc said:Criminally underrated at this level. He was a huge part of our strong defensive run towards the end of the season in 2019. Is he a Championship quality left back? No not really based on last year. But for me, he’s our first choice in that spot for the foreseeable future.2 -
Looked more like his old self today, solid and reliable but not spectacular. I just hope Bowyer leaves him in.16
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Hoping it will be the start of seeing Purrington get a proper run in the side. Had back to back solid performance against Franchise and Rochdale. Not surprised that we have been more solid with Deji and Purrington coming back into the side.We have some exciting player further up the pitch in Millar, Shinnie, Aneke, DJ. Having Purrington give us a 7/10 each week until the end of the season would give us some of the stability we need.
Still think Ian Maatsen has a role to play this season. Good option when needing some additional pace in midfield when we are holding on to a win.3 -
I agree. He struggled at the start of the season, especially against pacy wingers.Callumcafc said:Criminally underrated at this level. He was a huge part of our strong defensive run towards the end of the season in 2019. Is he a Championship quality left back? No not really based on last year. But for me, he’s our first choice in that spot for the foreseeable future.
After an explosive start, the jury's out for me for Maatsan.
He really struggled the past few games. Lacked confidence going forward and gives away far too many needless fouls. Purrington is far better defensively. But that is down to experience.
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there's no drama - purrington should stay in for now and hopefully as we get better and better and the centre of defence becomes more solid, maatsen can come in and have a go as well but i'd definitely stick with puzza for now4
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Some players you look at their individual performance and they don’t always standout but when they play the team generally looks better for it. I believe Pratley is one, Shinnie is probably one, and Purrington is another. Maatsen was great at he start of the season but he’s not been at his best for weeks - with lots of bits of naive defending and those marauding runs forward a bit absent.At his best Maatsen is the better player but in a team struggling for consistency having a few like Purrington in the team is valuable. Being a called a “Steady Eddie” is often seen as damning with faint praise but every team needs a few as they are the solid foundation from which you launch you more exciting but often less reliable players.Maatsen’s still got a big role to play in our season, but for the time being I think it should be from the bench with Purrington starting. Maatsen is actually a great option to have from the bench as he can inject pace and attacking impertus from left back when chasing a game, or provide defensive cover without sacrificing pace from left midfield, or be a wing back in a tactical change of shape.11
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Purrington is one of those players you can select knowing pretty much what you will get. The hoary old clichéd "6-7/10 every week" type, generally solid but rarely spectacular - but that's not a bad thing.
He seems to have a good working relationship with Millar as well which in turn lets both get on with their respective roles better.
Which is not to say Maatsen is finished or has no place - he looked a league above at one point and if pace is needed either in defence or to double up on a dangerous winger then he'll have a job to do.5 -
Where I think Purrington is underrated is going forwards. Clearly not as pacey as Maatsen, but his link up with Millar, and the way he made space for Millar today, were spot on full-back support. He has great positioning. Where Maatsen should perhaps play is against the paciest wingers, where Purrington got a bit show up earlier in the season (principally in one game, for which he's been vilified)8
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I think Maatsen looked excellent in the first half a dozen games of the season and has steadily gone downhill.
He leaves us wide open down our left and his gifting the ball to the opposition improves weekly.
Purrington should have been given an opportunity months ago and he played excellently against MK Dons and we won well.
Unbelievably, he was then dropped for the Pompey game, Maatsen came back in and was one of a number of reasons why we were soundly beaten.
PURRINGTON'SLIFEMATTERS.8 -
I think he suffered with confidence issues and not being good enough fir the championship, that lead to loss of form and he deserved to be taken out of the firing line.Callumcafc said:Criminally underrated at this level. He was a huge part of our strong defensive run towards the end of the season in 2019. Is he a Championship quality left back? No not really based on last year. But for me, he’s our first choice in that spot for the foreseeable future.
maatsen has looked like he needs a little rest fir a few weeks now, hopefully purrington will take his chance and get back to 2019 levels.3 - Sponsored links:
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Happy for Purrington to start- good enough at this level for me.3
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“Great positioning”. Hmm. Don’t get me wrong, if he goes back to being steady and we stop shipping goals, I’ll be delighted, but let’s not make him out to be a good full back.Jonniesta said:Where I think Purrington is underrated is going forwards. Clearly not as pacey as Maatsen, but his link up with Millar, and the way he made space for Millar today, were spot on full-back support. He has great positioning. Where Maatsen should perhaps play is against the paciest wingers, where Purrington got a bit show up earlier in the season (principally in one game, for which he's been vilified)0 -
He's decent at this level imo - I think he gets too much criticism.wmcf123 said:
“Great positioning”. Hmm. Don’t get me wrong, if he goes back to being steady and we stop shipping goals, I’ll be delighted, but let’s not make him out to be a good full back.Jonniesta said:Where I think Purrington is underrated is going forwards. Clearly not as pacey as Maatsen, but his link up with Millar, and the way he made space for Millar today, were spot on full-back support. He has great positioning. Where Maatsen should perhaps play is against the paciest wingers, where Purrington got a bit show up earlier in the season (principally in one game, for which he's been vilified)21 -
Purrington is a good full back. Against Doncaster in the semi-final he was one of our best players. When we went on our losing streak he was one of many players struggling. A full back not getting protection will often draw attention, plus Matthews played consistently well with similar issues.
Personally I think he is Championship quality, but loss of confidence can kill careers. Reminds me a lot of Fox who people loved to blame everything on, but managed to deal with his doubts/confidence to be consistent in the champ. To come back recently, and play so well when the manager's made it clear in selection he doubts you, is commendable.2 -
Any full back is going to look better with Millar ahead of him rather than Williams, Green, McGeady or whoever else we played in front of him last season. When we played the diamond that was no one, last season he relied on Pratley at DM and Gallagher on the left of the diamond supporting him.
I don't really think of Purrington as Championship quality, but considering Fox is solid at that level Purrington could do it too in the right team. He's one of those who can look as good or poor as the team he's in. Millar offers the pace and dribbling that Purrington doesn't while his energy and work rate mean he tracks back and gives him support.
Purrington's under contract for next season, ideally we'll bring in a quicker more attacking left back in the summer as competition and it'll be up to Purrington to earn his place in the side and new contract.8 -
Was talking about going forwards. He is consistently in the right place for stretching the defence, using the overlap. Think you're being harsh implying he's not a good full-backwmcf123 said:
“Great positioning”. Hmm. Don’t get me wrong, if he goes back to being steady and we stop shipping goals, I’ll be delighted, but let’s not make him out to be a good full back.Jonniesta said:Where I think Purrington is underrated is going forwards. Clearly not as pacey as Maatsen, but his link up with Millar, and the way he made space for Millar today, were spot on full-back support. He has great positioning. Where Maatsen should perhaps play is against the paciest wingers, where Purrington got a bit show up earlier in the season (principally in one game, for which he's been vilified)5 -
And people focus too much on his limitations, ignoring what he does well.hoof_it_up_to_benty said:
He's decent at this level imo - I think he gets too much criticism.wmcf123 said:
“Great positioning”. Hmm. Don’t get me wrong, if he goes back to being steady and we stop shipping goals, I’ll be delighted, but let’s not make him out to be a good full back.Jonniesta said:Where I think Purrington is underrated is going forwards. Clearly not as pacey as Maatsen, but his link up with Millar, and the way he made space for Millar today, were spot on full-back support. He has great positioning. Where Maatsen should perhaps play is against the paciest wingers, where Purrington got a bit show up earlier in the season (principally in one game, for which he's been vilified)
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All entitled to our opinions. Personally, I think he’s slow, limited in possession ( although he gets into good positions) and very poor one on one, defensively. I think he’s given a good ride by the fans because of his exceptional contribution in the final, which by the way is utterly understandable. I wouldn’t have signed him permanently after that.Jonniesta said:
Was talking about going forwards. He is consistently in the right place for stretching the defence, using the overlap. Think you're being harsh implying he's not a good full-backwmcf123 said:
“Great positioning”. Hmm. Don’t get me wrong, if he goes back to being steady and we stop shipping goals, I’ll be delighted, but let’s not make him out to be a good full back.Jonniesta said:Where I think Purrington is underrated is going forwards. Clearly not as pacey as Maatsen, but his link up with Millar, and the way he made space for Millar today, were spot on full-back support. He has great positioning. Where Maatsen should perhaps play is against the paciest wingers, where Purrington got a bit show up earlier in the season (principally in one game, for which he's been vilified)I like him as a guy and want him to do well; I just don’t think he’s very good . As with any player, if he continues to play to his maximum and we keep winning, I shall be delighted m.1 -
Purrington is quite good getting forward, his crossing is reasonable and he has a nice knack of ghosting in at the far post. 5 goals in 73 matches is a great return considering that Solly has 3 in over 300!
The one thing which worries me is his lack of mobility means that he seems to take ages to get back into position. Often (especially when at the games) you can see him jogging back when the opposition are breaking quickly2 -
Maatsen as a defender has really dropped in form of late. He's promising but learning on the job. I'd like to play Purrington and use Maatsen as a midfield sub where his pace and enthusiasm can be used.
The areas where Maatsan frustrates, passing and crossing. How many times does he pass go the oppo in a dangerous area and also cross for a goal kick from a promising position.2 - Sponsored links:
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I think if it wasn't for the fact he had a good start and is from Chelsea, Maatsen would have been dropped a while back. Purrington is what 23/24, really hope he does well in the future.1
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Too many fans are focussed on the attacking abilities of full backs and forget about their defensive role. I've more faith in Purrington than Maatsen as a defender however pacey Maatsen is - given our weakness at the back I'd rather Ben starts.addick1956 said:
Because it reinforces their bias. They don't want to know anything good about his play.Oggy Red said:
And people focus too much on his limitations, ignoring what he does well.hoof_it_up_to_benty said:
He's decent at this level imo - I think he gets too much criticism.wmcf123 said:
“Great positioning”. Hmm. Don’t get me wrong, if he goes back to being steady and we stop shipping goals, I’ll be delighted, but let’s not make him out to be a good full back.Jonniesta said:Where I think Purrington is underrated is going forwards. Clearly not as pacey as Maatsen, but his link up with Millar, and the way he made space for Millar today, were spot on full-back support. He has great positioning. Where Maatsen should perhaps play is against the paciest wingers, where Purrington got a bit show up earlier in the season (principally in one game, for which he's been vilified)
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I know this is unfashionable, but I quiet like Purrington, he's defensively sound, can get forward, and puts in a shift. Not a flashy bombing on full back, but he's your constant 7.5/10 player who you build around20
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Defending wise, I think Maatsen is fine, he's made a few bad choices of late, but is generally solid. The problems come when he tries to pass, shoot or cross. He's not good enough consistently in those areas.mendonca said:Maatsen as a defender has really dropped in form of late. He's promising but learning on the job. I'd like to play Purrington and use Maatsen as a midfield sub where his pace and enthusiasm can be used.
The areas where Maatsan frustrates, passing and crossing. How many times does he pass go the oppo in a dangerous area and also cross for a goal kick from a promising position.
He can tackle, he can dribble and he can bring the ball up pitch well. Just needs some time to polish up the crosses and short passing under pressure.1 -
Not as unfashionable as you may think (not that I know fashionable!) The "modern fullback" is expected to be an Ashley Cole or Andrew Robertson who are equally adept as ad-hoc wingers as well as defenders but at the level we find ourselves those are very rare. You have to prioritize between attacking potential (Maatsen) and defensive solidity (Purrington).Rothko said:I know this is unfashionable, but I quiet like Purrington, he's defensively sound, can get forward, and puts in a shift. Not a flashy bombing on full back, but he's your constant 7.5/10 player who you build around
Given our recent defensive problems and Maatsen having an (understandable) drop in form, Purrington seems the logical choice for the foreseeable future.1 -
Saw the stats with and without purrington and he clearly makes a difference. Think if Maatsen plays he should be a backup winger as imo he is a liability at the back.3
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I now I'm traditional, but I've watched a lot of football during the past 55 years or so.
I've also played competitively for a long time in my day.
In my 30's I was converted from ageing midfielder to Right Back - and it gave my playing days a new lease of life.
Consequently, I like to watch fullbacks in a game, on and off the ball.
Rule number 1, this was drummed into me ...... defenders must first of all defend. No ifs and buts, defend. That's your job.
Rule number 2 ...... you get forward when there's an opportunity, overlap, overload, get that cross in, (it's someone else's job to be alert, move across and cover you) - and get back quick. You are still a defender.
You know, I like Purrington. He's got his limitations, which is why he plays in the Third Division. But at this level, he's a decent defender.
And he gets forward and back when he can.
He's pretty dependable, although a bit suspect to being run at by a tricky pacy winger.
But in that case, his manager should have done his homework - and asked team mates to be aware and cover.
In Bowyer's often favoured Diamond formation, the full backs tend to be exposed.
That doesn't help Purrington, when he''s overloaded and no midfielder has tracked back to help out. That's when he's in trouble. And that's when he gets flack.
Almost all promotion winning sides are built on a solid defence. No reason why Purrington can't be part of that.
He was last time we were promoted.
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The best FB I've seen at Charlton is CP - didn't have great pace but read the game superbly. I wonder how he'd get on in the modern game,3
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He'd be just fine.hoof_it_up_to_benty said:The best FB I've seen at Charlton is CP - didn't have great pace but read the game superbly. I wonder how he'd get on in the modern game,
Powelly kept it simple, reading the game, working with his inside CB and the midfielder in front of him.
Partnerships ..... like a mini-team within the team.
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Certainly wouldn’t mind Maatsen at left mid when we inevitably rest Millar, he’s good going forward and quick.2
