6. Should Massadio Haidara Remain At Left-Back?
With Paul Dummett still injured, Massadio Haidara has the chance to make the left-back spot his own. On Sunday however, it was from his side that both crosses came in that led to the two Southampton goals. He made up for that in some respects by putting the ball in that Papiss Cisse chested over the line but, defensively, the Frenchman remains a bit of a liability, while his distribution is erratic at best. One of the most accurate ways you could describe Haidara is raw as it is refreshing to see him so willing to attack but when he struggles to contain the opposition on the outside, you can still be fairly sure chances are going to come from his side of the pitch. More games are probably needed before a long-term view of Haidara's future can be taken but it's debatable whether he has improved since he arrived. In truth, Dummett isn't much better but the difference is that the Welshman is more likely to actually try and defend, at the expense of attacking from the full-back position like most teams seem to prefer these days. Dummett is likely to rejoin the first-team squad soon after battling injury, though Swansea City is expected to come too soon. If Haidara is to make the jersey his own, he has to do it now - unless Steve McClaren plans to make a move for another full-back, with
Jetro Willems linked to the club recently.
Stick or twist: Stick - unless the club are able to land another left-back in the near future Haidara is only 22 and hopefully his best years are still ahead of him. At present, the Frenchman is frustratingly inconsistent, both in terms of his defensive work and his distribution going forward. If he's the only natural left-back available, it's madness to play someone like Vurnon Anita out of position but, when Dummett returns, there should be a real battle for that position. Realistically though, if the club could land someone like Willems to come in and play the position, while sending one of Haidara and Dummett out on loan to allow them to get the games they need, is that not an upgrade on the present set-up?