Joe Rankin-Costello

[Miller11]

What I’ve really liked from him since he’s come back into the fold is he seems to have a bit of an edge to him. He gave Khadra a well deserved shove yesterday, and he seems to stand up for himself and his teammates rather than rolling round on the floor.

I definitely agree with @Spartakfenni He did a lot of his good work yesterday in central areas further up the pitch where you’d expect a midfielder to be. I think he’d thrive there.

It’ll be interesting when Brittain does return from injury, JRC is undroppable on current form so he would have to settle for a place on the bench unless there is a change in position for Joe.

[Colt Seavers]

I've watched JRC for many years. In my opinion he operates best on the right hand side of midfield. I believe he would offer more of an attacking threat from that position than the overrated Hedges.

[roversfan99]

I am not convinced by the idea of playing him further forward, he isn't the most dynamic player nor is he the most technically gifted, I would prefer a Thomas/Hedges/Dolan/Brereton out there.

He has impressed me since that Norwich game specifically as a full back, his one on one defensive play has massively improved and going forward he was very useful especially yesterday without leaving too much space.

The biggest compliment would be that in a squad that ideally needs a number of reinforcements, he has reduced/eliminated the need to get a right back in this window despite Brittain being injured again. 

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

36 minutes ago, Colt Seavers said:

I've watched JRC for many years. In my opinion he operates best on the right hand side of midfield. I believe he would offer more of an attacking threat from that position than the overrated Hedges.

I’m not in the Hedges fan club either.

Edited January 29, 2023 by Tyrone Shoelaces

[roverandout]

Hedges ain't overrated 

[bluebruce]

7 hours ago, Herbie6590 said:

Yes, but I suspect the point is that he was particularly effective in more central/advanced positions…

If he had said FB isn't his best position, fine, but he said he will never be one as long as he has a hole in his arse, when he just won MOTM playing at FB. It was an odd post.

[Spartakfenni]

21 hours ago, bluebruce said:

If he had said FB isn't his best position, fine, but he said he will never be one as long as he has a hole in his arse, when he just won MOTM playing at FB. It was an odd post.

How many first team games in his 50 odd has he played at full back? I think he’s a very talented player who before starting his first team games had never played there. He’s 23 and in his fourth season as a first team player. Apart from a few of his first games all under Mowbray and now JDT have been at full back. I feel sorry for the lad. Was his MOM for his defensive abilities on Saturday or for making one and scoring one against Birmingham? My argument was he’s far better further forward. Don’t understand how that can be an odd post. Were you at the match?

[DE.]

I can remember when JRC first broke into the team, he looked like he was going to become a big part of our future. Then repeated injuries meant he never got any kind of rhythm going, and when he came back at the start of this season he genuinely appeared to have regressed to the point where he could barely control a football anymore. He was absolutely that bad.

Seems to have put in some real effort since then, though, and seems to be getting himself back up to speed again. Just have to hope these recurring injuries stop, as if anything is going to derail JRC's career it will be that.

[roversfan99]

The return of Brittain now creates a selection dilemma with Rankin Costello playing well.

Many seem in favour of moving Rankin Costello into midfield but I dont really agree. His most impressive feature aside from the Birmingham game has been his defensive ability for me. Out wide, he isnt particularly tricky and he isnt quick nor is he a brilliant crosser. The likes of Thomas, Hedges and Dolan have more individuality and speed. He is tidy technically but playing in central midfield is totally different, far more frantic ad Buckley has found who is far better technically.

I would choose to keep Rankin Costello in the side and Brittain can wait his turn.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

1 minute ago, roversfan99 said:

The return of Brittain now creates a selection dilemma with Rankin Costello playing well.

Many seem in favour of moving Rankin Costello into midfield but I dont really agree. His most impressive feature aside from the Birmingham game has been his defensive ability for me. Out wide, he isnt particularly tricky and he isnt quick nor is he a brilliant crosser. The likes of Thomas, Hedges and Dolan have more individuality and speed. He is tidy technically but playing in central midfield is totally different, far more frantic ad Buckley has found who is far better technically.

I would choose to keep Rankin Costello in the side and Brittain can wait his turn.

Weigh up whoever is the most comfortable playing on the left hand side out of Brittain and JRC and blow Pickering out.

[roversfan99]

10 minutes ago, Tyrone Shoelaces said:

Weigh up whoever is the most comfortable playing on the left hand side out of Brittain and JRC and blow Pickering out.

I think Pickering is on par with both and I prefer full backs on their natural side.

[Wheelton Blue]

In the first half last night, I spotted Brereton basically sat at left wing back at times. I suspect he's been told to do so in order to protect Pickering, thus leaving our top scorer nowhere near the opposition's danger area.

On JRC, he can't be dropped on current form, rather he's a first pick. I suspect that Brittain will have a wait on his hands to get back in the side.

[Tyrone Shoelaces]

1 minute ago, roversfan99 said:

I think Pickering is on par with both and I prefer full backs on their natural side.

I’m not a fan. That fuck up at Rotherham was enough for me. If I saw that in an under 15’s game I’d be shaking my head.

[Miller11]

14 minutes ago, roversfan99 said:

The return of Brittain now creates a selection dilemma with Rankin Costello playing well.

Many seem in favour of moving Rankin Costello into midfield but I dont really agree. His most impressive feature aside from the Birmingham game has been his defensive ability for me. Out wide, he isnt particularly tricky and he isnt quick nor is he a brilliant crosser. The likes of Thomas, Hedges and Dolan have more individuality and speed. He is tidy technically but playing in central midfield is totally different, far more frantic ad Buckley has found who is far better technically.

I would choose to keep Rankin Costello in the side and Brittain can wait his turn.

I think I’d agree with this. 

It was interesting at the start of the second half last night when we seemed to change the system a bit. At one point it looked as though JRC had moved up front and he spent a good 15 minutes all over the park. There was obviously an instruction to try something different for a spell.

I haven’t been overly impressed with Brittain, and he certainly hasn’t had a run of good performances like JRC has. I think JRC is susceptible defensively, but no more so than Brittain has shown to be so far. Joe has offered more going forward too.

[simongarnerisgod]

 keep jrc at right back and play brittain further up the flank,very surprised at jrc`s improvement,he never lacked effort but times last season he looked like he belonged in non league,fair play to the lad i think he`s proved a lot of people wrong

[bluebruce]

Last night I was looking at him and think he's lost a little weight since last season? Seems more robust though as not been getting injured so far and more full blooded in the tackle, I think he's been really working on his fitness and it shows.

[Mike E]

JRC has the shirt to lose for me

[benhben]

Brittain walks back into the side for me. Our best fullback by far, specialist in that position and competent both going forward and at the back. Not too slow either. 

JRCs lack of pace is a massive hinderance at full back for me. If anywhere I think hed do ok in central areas where pace isnt such an issue. 

[arbitro]

13 minutes ago, benhben said:

Brittain walks back into the side for me. Our best fullback by far, specialist in that position and competent both going forward and at the back. Not too slow either. 

JRCs lack of pace is a massive hinderance at full back for me. If anywhere I think hed do ok in central areas where pace isnt such an issue. 

If Brittain gets in straight away ahead of Rankin-Costello it sends out the wrong message. He has arguably been our best player since he got into the team at Norwich in December. And I honestly haven't noticed a lack of pace from him causing us a 'hindrance' and he has played against some quick players.

[Groundhog]

I've enjoyed watching JRC give it out a bit in recent games, it's what we need. Loved watching him winding McClean up on Monday night. 

[Exiled_Rover]

On 29/01/2023 at 15:41, roverandout said:

Hedges ain't overrated 

He shouldn't be. He's a decent Championship footballer, but if you're relying on him to be a difference maker then you're not a Playoff team.

A very nice option to start a few games and bring on (pretty much anywhere) upfront for 20 minutes, if you have a good team.

[Exiled_Rover]

20 hours ago, Mike E said:

JRC has the shirt to lose for me

I think JRC has A shirt to lose, not THE shirt.

I'd slot Brittain back in at RB immediately if he's fit. You find a place for JRC elsewhere in the starting XI.

[Mike E]

15 hours ago, Exiled_Rover said:

I think JRC has A shirt to lose, not THE shirt.

I'd slot Brittain back in at RB immediately if he's fit. You find a place for JRC elsewhere in the starting XI.

Not a bad shout.

Possibly he and Travis (if improved) could make a relatively combative midfield by our standards.

[bluebruce]

On 08/02/2023 at 16:54, Exiled_Rover said:

I think JRC has A shirt to lose, not THE shirt.

I'd slot Brittain back in at RB immediately if he's fit. You find a place for JRC elsewhere in the starting XI.

Nah you keep him playing where he has been playing well. Brittain isn't going to be fully sharp even if he's fully fit, I'd bring him on off the bench to begin with and see how he does.

[yellowsubmarine]

Overall i think Brittain is a better RB than JRC. But really impressed with JRC helping out our RB issues so far. He should keep his spot until he drops form and also wait for Brittain to be fully fit.

The problem with new players like Brittain and Szmodics, is they play a few games, then they get injured. It's so hard to judge them.