Melvin Bard - Loan from Nice

[YorkshireSquare]

This time last year we were still having to consider Apmadu having to start in the backline as cover.

We are still a little light if we are playing 3 at the back with Rodon injured.

I suppose nor Justin is the natural cover, I hope we never need to pull Ampadu back into the back three.

[The Subhuman]

I suspect he’s a step up from Schmidt. Kind of a perfect signing for us in terms of what the consensus has been for what we’ve been lacking on defense…a true left footer that can play LWB, LB, and LCB. I like his game…has some speed and long ball skills, not to mention tenacity. Gonna go out on a limb here and say that I really like this signing. Very sensible.

He is in terms of ability but he's a premiership version. Lets see how long it takes him to get past Gudds and Justin.

[weasel]

I suspect he’s a step up from Schmidt. Kind of a perfect signing for us in terms of what the consensus has been for what we’ve been lacking on defense…a true left footer that can play LWB, LB, and LCB. I like his game…has some speed and long ball skills, not to mention tenacity. Gonna go out on a limb here and say that I really like this signing. Very sensible.

Schmidt was based on potential due to the ability he had. I think Bard is more of a proven player given the amount of games he has played at a decent level. So likely he is more of the steady 7/10 performance week in, week out not likely to get many 9s or 5s. Schmidt had the potential to be a 9/10 performance wise but likely gonna be a lot of 5/10 performances.

[Aussieleeds]

The obvious nicknames for Bard will be something to do with Shakespeare. But, I think we should go with the more obscure, ‘Scoobie’. In the Scoobie Doo movie the barman takes a phone call asks if there is a Mr Doo in the room. A fellow stands up - “Melvin Doo?”

[Barlow Boy]

The obvious nicknames for Bard will be something to do with Shakespeare. But, I think we should go with the more obscure, ‘Scoobie’. In the Scoobie Doo movie the barman takes a phone call asks if there is a Mr Doo in the room. A fellow stands up - “Melvin Doo?”

It’ll be fun trying to explain that one to a load of pissed up, hairy arsed, blokes around me in the KOP.

[Aussieleeds]

It’ll be fun trying to explain that one to a load of pissed up, hairy arsed, blokes around me in the KOP.

Yes, are probably right. Well just live with him being the replacement Willy.

[The Subhuman]

The Bard of Auvergne

[Cjay]

Didn't think he played too Bard (hehehe)

Some lapses 2nd half with tracking and being beaten a bit too easily but he wasn't alone in that.

First half though he handled Estevao really well (and some very big name players have struggled with him).

Got forward well and basically created our 3rd goal with his endeavour.

Decent debut.

[BlackHillsPaul]

Didn't think he played too Bard (hehehe)

Some lapses 2nd half with tracking and being beaten a bit too easily but he wasn't alone in that.

First half though he handled Estevao really well (and some very big name players have struggled with him).

Got forward well and basically created our 3rd goal with his endeavour.

Decent debut.

I thought it was a solid debut. He's indicated that he can play at this level I think. Although he still needs to adjust and clean things up a bit. But it was a promising start.

[1964white]

I'm unconvinced.

Thrown in the deep end on his debut, so probably needs more time to adjust to Premier League football.

[1964white]

We are still a little light if we are playing 3 at the back with Rodon injured.

I suppose nor Justin is the natural cover, I hope we never need to pull Ampadu back into the back three.

We missed Rodon last night, although he would have been on the bench.

[Barlow Boy]

I'm unconvinced.

Thrown in the deep end on his debut, so probably needs more time to adjust to Premier League football.

I thought for a debut, as you say thrown in at the deep end, he did well.

Barring injury, doubt he will play much anyway.

[Orange Box]

He seemed ok-ish, which for such a short time with the club and the quality of opposition upgrades him to a decent debut. As stated above, I don’t think he will trouble the starting team sheet much barring another Guds injury.

[The Subhuman]

I like the work done in the build up for the goal, like he came inside for that rather than hog the touchline. Got caught out a few too many times but 4M in the prem, not sure what we're expecting more than deep depth.

It's Bahoya I wanna see, surprised we didn't.

[Lumiukko]

Agree with everyone's comments. Decent enough debut in the circumstances and did some good stuff as well as some not so good. He will need to speed up his ball movement as he dwelled on it a little too much last time, but that I think is inexperience at the highest level of the English game. Also let players get round him a couple of times but was no worse than Guds in that respect who let his player skin him on the outside at least twice, leading to one goal (if not two?).

Like Sub, I was disappointed not to see Bahoyo, as this was the perfect game to see what he is about for at least 15-20 minutes when we were chasing the game. Early days but I am concerned he is going to be another bench-warmer for us.