Matthew Briggs left midfielder or left back?

[MrFFC]

Everytime I watch him play I feel he is a left midfielder a bit like Gareth Bale. He certainly needs a spell out on loan but he could be turned into quite an effective left midfielder I feel ...

[TonyGilroy]

The Gareth Bale likeness is definite.

He badly needs a year in the Championship to see if he can get his career moving. I do suspect though that that's his level as an attacking wideman.

[MrFFC]

Talented player I don't think he would see much game time here on the wing with Kaca and Frei there but I think he would be effective with his pace

[bobby01]

Was a centre half for england u19s but lost a lot of bulk since then

[JohnKovacs]

Left out.  To me, he seems way out of his element in the Prem.

[NogoodBoyo]

Plenty of speed, strength and skill, but he seems to lose focus and confidence in performing his defensive duties.  A move up the field might do him some good, but there are too many ahead of him at Fulham at the moment.
Nogood "tough to get a break, isit" Boyo

[elgreenio]

Was a centre half for england u19s but lost a lot of bulk since then

Always thought he'd eventually go back to being a centre back after learning his trade at full back.

Definitely a left back now, though it would be interesting to see him in a Wigan-esq wing back formation.

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[alexbishop]

given how young he was when he made his first first team appearance if he had what it takes he would have pushed on and become a regular first team player by now. Jol will most certainly be looking at other left back options as Riise enters his twilight years.

[EJL]

Left midfielder. That game against Chelsea in the Carling Cup last season - he was immense going forward.

[HatterDon]

given how young he was when he made his first first team appearance if he had what it takes he would have pushed on and become a regular first team player by now. Jol will most certainly be looking at other left back options as Riise enters his twilight years.

Normally, that would make sense. The thing is that since Sanchez gave him his first start, the club hasn't really been a model of stability in management. It was tough enough for Dempsey and Davies to continually have to show new managers that they were worthy. Imagine how hard that was for a teenager trying to impress Hodgson, Hughes, and now Jol.

I think he has the makings of an excellent LB. I also think that a large majority of posters on this site believe that he doesn't, and that they look hard for any mistake during each of his appearances to show that he isn't up to it. I noticed the same thing with a certain CB who went on to play for United and England.

Do we really support our young players? I'm beginning to wonder.

[TonyGilroy]

I think he has the makings of an excellent LB. I also think that a large majority of posters on this site believe that he doesn't, and that they look hard for any mistake during each of his appearances to show that he isn't up to it. I noticed the same thing with a certain CB who went on to play for United and England.

Do we really support our young players? I'm beginning to wonder.

To support a young player should we pretend, on here, that they're better than we really think they are?

[AlFayedsChequebook]

I think he has the makings of an excellent LB. I also think that a large majority of posters on this site believe that he doesn't, and that they look hard for any mistake during each of his appearances to show that he isn't up to it. I noticed the same thing with a certain CB who went on to play for United and England.

Do we really support our young players? I'm beginning to wonder.

To support a young player should we pretend, on here, that they're better than we really think they are?

I think it is tough tbh. We must be careful not to overreact to poor performances but remain with the ability to criticise or express our concerns where fair.

All young players will be very inconsistent and need support, so there is an element of holding off on the criticism,

That said, I think most of the comments about Briggs have been fair. In his defence he has not had consistent game time, but what I have personally seen he does not look like a left back. His positioning and awareness are not great but the question is whether or not this will come with experience. On the plus side, he looks great when attacking down the wing. Perhaps a change to a LW is the answer, and Jol has indicated over the last two seasons that this is an option.

[TonyGilroy]

I don't think he's terrible but when he gets a chance he doesn't do well enough to give Jol a decision to make.

I'd guess that if Riise gets injured now Richardson is the more likely replacement.

So he needs to go out on loan and we can then see how well he does.

There's no question but that I want him to succeed but in all honesty I don't see him ever being a Premier League regular. I'll be happy to be wrong.

[alexbishop]

whilst I don't think Briggs will ever make it as a first team regular he bleeds white and black so would like him to remain with Fulham in the future as a squad player. top lad.