Opinion: Fabbrini Right To Be Benched?

As always, bluenoses have high hopes for every season in the football league and this was no different. Despite appearing to have weaknesses in the squad in particular those in a striking capacity which look to have been addressed or at left back which still needs addressing. But the place where we had an abundance of talent for me, was in the central midfield position.

Tesche, Gleeson, Davis, Kieftenbeld and Fabbrini all looked for a starting position whilst Brown, Arthur and Shinnie were also battling for positions in pre-season despite loan spells being put into place as the season drew closer. Competition for places usually means a lot of improved performances as each player looks to try and step up their game to try and remain first choice. It looked as though we had replaced Toral with Fab, who had impressed at the club once before and it looked as though any frailties that we had under Clark had been put to bed.

However, with Tesche, Davis and Kieftenbeld all playing out of their skins in the opening matches, it is hard to push them out of the side. But can we really afford to leave Fab on the bench? In my opinion, yes. Rowett has built a side around physicality. Donaldson and Che are the two bulkiest, strongest attackers you will see in a partnership in the whole football league. They can outmuscle any defender. Tesche and Davis what they lack in muscle, make up for in aggression. They will fight for every ball and really put their foot in if that is what is required.

Fabbrini isn’t this kind of player. He has neat footwork and likes to link up well with strikers which is lovely and it is the form of football that is attractive to watch but it doesn’t compliment the forwards. I would play him in that number 10 role against a team that shuts up shop and he is a good attacking option but he is lightweight and will get barged off the ball very easily. Despite saying this, he does chip in goals.

It is just that you have to decide on whether you play 2 up front or whether you play Don up top with Fab just behind. In my opinion, you’d go for two up top with Che and Don because they both cause havoc and have the pace as well as hunger to stick the ball away.