Originally published at: https://www.rangersnews.uk/analysis/half-term-report-jon-flanagan/
Following on from our assessment of Nikola Katic, attentions turn to another of Rangers’ summer signings. Jon Flanagan. When the 25-year-old joined on a free transfer from Liverpool in the summer, it looked an excellent move from Steven Gerrard. That is, despite recent personal troubles and a history of knee injuries. Flanagan turning out for…
Sometimes we expect too much! Jon Flanagan is a right back…most of his appearances have been as a Left Back, as cover for the missing Barisic and the banished Lee Wallace. Flanagan and Andy Halliday have taken turns at Left Back and both have come under severe criticism whilst playing there!! Last week Halliday stood in, and had a great game! Suddenly, from “Cannon Fodder” to “Man of the Match”!
Play Flanagan at Right Back, if Steven Davis arrives. Davis will do everything Tavernier does going forward, and Flanagan will tackle at the back…something that Tavernier only does sporadically!
I understand that we have to judge Flanagan, like all players, on his performances. But I think it is a little harsh to judge people on a position they do not choose but are willing to fill in at. I think it would be fairer to give him a C+ for effort and Steven Gerrard a C- for picking him there. I think Halliday and Flanagan are the only ones consistently picked out of position, except for Kent on LW as he is also right footed.
So the criticism of Flanagan at left back has to be shared between him and the manager playing him there. Unless SG is excused on the grounds that he had no choice. In which case it is harsh to punish Flanagan who also had no choice.
I do agree that sometimes standards are set too high. I would say though that on each occasion Halliday has deputised, i think he’s done a much better job than Flanagan. He may be a right-back, but that shouldn’t be an excuse for failure to find teammates with simple passes.
For me, it’s Tavernier who gets unnecessary stick. Think he’s a cracker and he proved that during the Old Firm. He can tackle when he needs to!
Agree that Davis would be massive if he arrives though!
Skibadly, with hindsight, I agree with this. I feel that it was clear from the first few matches Flanagan played at left-back, that he simply wasn’t suitable for the job. I should have picked up on/put more emphasis on how the blame for his poor displays must eventually lay at the feet of his manager, for continuing to pick him there!
Let’s see how things turn out! If Tavernier was to be sold, we might be glad to have a back up right back…and one who will tackle consistently…to slot in. Then judge the guy on how good, or not, he is playing in his correct spot!
For the past 2 years we have had Tav and Windass…the French Ballet dancers… in the team, when we need performances like last Saturday, where everybody tackled like it was “life or death”, which it probably is for most Rangers supporters!