Obita or Bridge

[NewCorkSeth]

When is Bridge actually back?

By the time he is fit and ready, Obita may have got 5, 7, or even 9 starts at left back under his belt. If he's still performing well and the team is winning then it's tough luck to Bridge, regardless of how good and specialised he is.

The question is also largely dependent on how well Jobi does, which seems pretty well at the moment. If that drops off then the best option may be to push Obita forward and Bridge in behind. If Jobi is playing well too then there's no reason to make any changes as his defensive qualities will help make up for any inexperience Obita has. And Obita's pace and attacking qualities will help make up for Jobi not being as devastating as McCleary (on his day).

Next month according to Adkins. I agree if, after 5-9 games, Obita is still performing well then we should continue to start him but that is a question of form rather than quality. In terms of quality Bridge is better. The question is who would you rather start between the 2 regardless of form(and if it isnt it should be)
I mean Bridge is still injured so if itwas asking who would you rather play next game then its obviously Obita.. so, imo, people should discount form, injury and focus on who would be better if the slate was wiped clean. Some people will lean towards youth, focusing on the long term development of the player which is fair enough. I think we should focus on the short term benefits of the best LB in the league.

[RoyalTJ]

When is Bridge actually back?

By the time he is fit and ready, Obita may have got 5, 7, or even 9 starts at left back under his belt. If he's still performing well and the team is winning then it's tough luck to Bridge, regardless of how good and specialised he is.

The question is also largely dependent on how well Jobi does, which seems pretty well at the moment. If that drops off then the best option may be to push Obita forward and Bridge in behind. If Jobi is playing well too then there's no reason to make any changes as his defensive qualities will help make up for any inexperience Obita has. And Obita's pace and attacking qualities will help make up for Jobi not being as devastating as McCleary (on his day).

Next month according to Adkins. I agree if, after 5-9 games, Obita is still performing well then we should continue to start him but that is a question of form rather than quality. In terms of quality Bridge is better. The question is who would you rather start between the 2 regardless of form(and if it isnt it should be)
I mean Bridge is still injured so if itwas asking who would you rather play next game then its obviously Obita.. so, imo, people should discount form, injury and focus on who would be better if the slate was wiped clean. Some people will lean towards youth, focusing on the long term development of the player which is fair enough. I think we should focus on the short term benefits of the best LB in the league.

Well, you know what they say, Form is Temporary, Class is Permanent. And if Obita continues to play well, then keep starting him.

[Ian Royal]

Well if it was the start of the season, knowing what we know now I'd still start Bridge. But it won't be, so I'd keep Obita in position until the form of him or Jobi dips.

Unless the returning player is a clear class apart, the incumbent should always keep their place when they're playing well.

[St. Brynjar]

Bloody hell. Obita has played two games at left back and suddenly he's the answer to all our problems? Bridge every time, as he is a left back.

Yes but the point is Obita has potential. Obviously it might be a flash in the pan and he might get found out but I think he is very good and can make the LB spot his own and if so the sky is the limit - even up to international level - as he has all the "potential" attributes. If now what harm has been done by giving it a go for the remainder of this season - or at least until Bridge recovers.

Selection of people that don't think Obita is a left back:
Jordan Obita
Jordan Obita's manager

He's playing out of position and he'll probably get caught out and then vilified on here. International level???? You're basing that on 2 decent performances at left back and a handful of very average games elsewhere?

Also you say 'until Bridge recovers' - I think you haven't understood the thread, it's 'Obita or Bridge'. Saying Obita until Bridge is back is essentially saying Bridge. I never said there's anything wrong with him keeping the shirt until then, he's outperformed Kelly & Cummings in the position, but no way should he be first choice left back.

[Royal Biscuitman]

On current form and fitness, I would choose Obita for left back.

I think Bridge and Obita playing left back and left wing together will be a great partnership as they can overlap and swap places mid game.

[floyd__streete]

I chose Obita.....by default because Bridge is an aged crock who only joined Reading to supplement his retirement fund.

[P!ssed Off]

People may say 'Bridge because he is an England international' etc.
But did Bridge even look that special when he played in his 10 league games for us?

We've had some quality left backs over the last decade or so. Bridge looked solid and dependable but I don't think he compared well to the likes of Armstrong and Bertrand, or Shorey and Harte in their prime Reading days.

Obita's got that excitement factor about him. I'd rather see him play.

[melonhead]

People may say 'Bridge because he is an England internation' etc.
But did Bridge even look that special when he played in his 10 league games for us?

.

yes. looked to have more quality in his knee cap than most of either team when i saw him play

[Ian Royal]

People may say 'Bridge because he is an England internation' etc.
But did Bridge even look that special when he played in his 10 league games for us?

.

yes. looked to have more quality in his knee cap than most of either team when i saw him play

+1

Looked on a par with Armstrong an Bertrand, better than Harte (discounting fks) but not quie matching Shorey at his best. Much like Kelly vs Gunter Bridgs is the better defender, Obita perhaps suits our marauding, overlapping fullbacks approach better.

[Royal Ginger]

+1

He was pretty much our only attacking outlet in those first few games. If he's back next month i'd want to see him back in the team as soon as he's fit.

[Libertine]

Just to basically restate what I said on the Obita thread...for right now it has to be Bridge if he is fit. Unless Obita improves on his very fine form from the first two starts he has made. Obita is young, with a ton of promise, but he is just learning the position. And who better to learn from but the best at that position in his day (and maybe/hopefully Bridge has been helping him learn the position while he has been injured) ? Obita's performance at LB has been a revelation so far and I can see him being our LB for many years to come if he continues to develop as he has. But for now, as well as Obita has played the last two games, it has to be Bridge's position if fit.