After a mixed season during the 19/20 campaign, Zak Jules has really progressed, and shown how he can be key member of our team. So far, he has won 3 MOTM awards, as voted for by yourselves, and seems a popular choice amongst the fans. He is now set to start and have an extended run in the team, that I feel, if he can continue with the performances of late, he can hold down.
Jules has the right mix for a defender. He is strong and good in the air, but he also has a lot of pace, and looks comfortable on the ball. The latter is something that was noticeable this week. Out of the centre-backs we have, Jules has a calmness, and ability on the ball that I don’t see in our other centre-backs. This ability, along with his pace, is why he can also fill in at left-back, and are qualities that I want to see utilised centrally. We are a team that are making a lot of mistakes, and even Dan Scarr, who has been another consistent performer, has been caught in possession, at times too. I don’t see those mistakes in Jules.
I think the difficulty Jules has had, is that he hasn’t been able to have a run in the team, to build up the partnerships that Darrell Clarke wants to see. In Scarr and Jules, we will have a physically strong and commanding CB pairing, but one that also has some pace too. I think it will also fit Scarr well too. It is a partnership that I have wanted to see for a while, and now we will actually get to see it.
With James Clarke not out for too long, it is up to Jules to fight for this place, and try and keep Clarke out of the side. Competition for places is healthy, however I feel that Jules has always been seen as a backup, rather than a player who can be brought in to change up the defence. Of course there will be pressure by Mat Sadler, who has rarely been seen as a player this season, to fill the void left by Clarke. Sadler won’t have liked not being out on the pitch, and he will be chomping at the bit, primed and ready if Darrell so chooses.
