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Opinion: Fabbrini’s Departure Should Give Brown Games

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Image for Opinion: Fabbrini’s Departure Should Give Brown Games

I have written in a previous article that the only obstacle standing in way of Brown getting into the squad was Fabbrini. I know it hasn’t worked out for Fab this time around as he has gone on loan to a club in Serie B but as I personally felt that based on skill alone, he could have been one of our better players. His attitude seemed to let him down when it looked like he could have a real chance of making an impact at Birmingham City. I felt that under Zola he may have become rejuvenated. Often we see players become disenchanted by a manager and when a new one comes in, they have a new lease of life. Hazard with Jose being the main example that comes to mind.

Due to thinking this, I was worried for Reece Brown. In my opinion he is good enough now to start games but he isn’t even making the squad list in the first team and I thought that Fab may come in and be that squad player under Zola. With Fab leaving, it leaves a gap for Brown to fill even if it is just on the bench. Brown is way too good for the development sides. I believe the development team to be good up to a point for player development but any league in the football league and even lower have the ability to stretch players more than the U23 league. It’s just not up to scratch.

So this often leaves players such as Brown in limbo. Does he go out on a loan to a club or does he become a squad player? I can’t see how he hasn’t been involved. In his younger days I have often criticised his attitude. In a game he wouldn’t track back if he lost the ball and tended to let his head drop if the team were losing. As he has become more mature and one of the more experienced members of the group, he really has lifted his game and is much more vocal in helping all the lads on and off the field. He would be my choice for captain of the U23’s if he played for them regularly.

He has become a new player because of this new attitude. He seems to have much more confidence. I have noticed that he is shooting from positions that he would have passed from before. He just seems to be much more of a complete team player too. He rarely loses the ball and despite not being the most skilful, he uses others around him for 1-2’s in order to gain yards rather than trying unsuccessful flicks.
Now I am not saying that he should be the first name on the team sheet. But I do think that he should be given a chance even if it is just on the bench. To experience a match day is vital for these kinds of players and especially when it is someone of his calibre, he needs the experience in order to slot into the fold.

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