Niche Cache. Considering Wilkins will be fully match fit when the AWs next play in September, whilst all the ALM RBs (Payne, Ingham, Roux etc) will still be in pre season mode - I'd say a good chance he'll be picked for that North American tour.
Dalton Wilkins, on the other hand, is back. He recovered from whatever was ailing him to make the starting eleven for Sønderjyske’s 1-1 draw against Lyngby, lining up at right-back as Sonders claimed their first point since being promoted back into the top flight...
Wilkins wasn’t directly involved with either goal, both of them scored in the first half. He did track back hard for the one they conceded in order to keep his man out of the action but the Lyngby dude with the ball simply chopped back in the other direction and scored himself. There were a couple of sketchy defensive moments down his side (including a yellow card) but DW mostly held his own, plus he also got into some great attacking positions before being replaced after an hour - he’s coming back from injury... but he also didn’t often last ninety minutes last season either. Blame it on the physical exertion required in his position.
Overall, this was a solid Superliga debut for Wilkins. One more kiwi footballer in a European top division. The fact that he earned this start on the right edge rather than his favoured left side ought to be enough to sneak him right back into All Whites contention for their next endeavours too.
Has to be the favourite to be Cacace's All Whites understudy now, ahead of Sutton, de Vries and McGarry
Possibly. Wilkins likely to be chosen in the September window, but may even go on that stateside tour as Payne's understudy at RB.
Jack MacKenzie - Aberdeen's first choice LB, is apparently playing very well, so no shade on McGarry he's not starting there. Can see in season European based playeers getting picked ahead of out season ALM guys, next month.
LK-H also in the mix. Bazeley picked him back in March (games in Egypt) as Libby's backup.
Is Wilkins our answer to the RB problem moving forward. Yes a natural left footer, he seems to have split his playing career across the either side.
Early days, but if he became a regular starter for SonderjyskE this season in the Superliga, he will be in the conversation. Libby obviously has a lock on LB, but yeah Wilkins could be a rival to Payne at RB, even if plays most of this season on the left side in Denmark.
This is the highest level he's ever been at in his career, and he was in & out of Sonders starting 11 when with them in the 2nd tier. Lets see how he goes this level up, in the next few months. Playing against likes of FCK, Brondby & Midtjylland (this weekend's game).
Promising that he played the full game at Randers. He's often been replaced early 2nd half, most games he's started for Sonders. Maybe he's got himself top level fit in the off season. His good mates McCowatt & Just likely gave him some good advice on what the higher level Superliga is like, them trodding the same path.
His career has always felt a bit of a slow burn, interrupted by a year or so out with an ACL injury, not long after first arriving at Helsingor.
Is Wilkins our answer to the RB problem moving forward. Yes a natural left footer, he seems to have split his playing career across the either side.
I think it's worth a shot. Still early days in his Superliga career mind you, so hopefully he continues to see good game time first and foremost - Good results like last night for a promoted side will obviously help.
I'd be surprised to see him pop up at RB/RWB for Sønderjyske this season though. I know Kolding liked to mix it up playing inverted fullbacks, which was obviously a good point for him to prove his versatility, but his current side do seem more conventional in their play.
I still think Sheridan is a good prospect for that RB role long term. A good talent, but needs to prove it week in, week out in the A-League first. He'll get more minutes this season, but it'll be a tough ask to supplant Payne for a starting XI spot.
Wilkins starting Superliga debut a few weeks ago was at RB, and then the next game he came off the bench to slot in at RB. Sonders do mix it up a bit between a back 4 and a back 3/5.
In this interview (sadly lots of inane questions), he looks as lean as a greyhound, so again I just wonder if he has got really fit for his first season at the highest level in Denmark. Just speculating. https://youtu.be/ESEaVdgXCQM
But last year in the 2nd tier (split over Kolding & Sonders) he started 22 games, and was subbed off 17 times. He's already done a full 90 min+ shift in 1 of his 2 starts this season.
Wilkins starting Superliga debut a few weeks ago was at RB, and then the next game he came off the bench to slot in at RB. Sonders do mix it up a bit between a back 4 and a back 3/5.
In this interview (sadly lots of inane questions), he looks as lean as a greyhound, so again I just wonder if he has got really fit for his first season at the highest level in Denmark. Just speculating. https://youtu.be/ESEaVdgXCQM
But last year in the 2nd tier (split over Kolding & Sonders) he started 22 games, and was subbed off 17 times. He's already done a full 90 min+ shift in 1 of his 2 starts this season.
Ahh, so it was! I was reading the formations wrong and just went back and had a look. Good spot. 👌
On at 73 mins (2-2) in a 2-2 draw. Looks like he came on at LB, immediately after Viborg equalised.
Came on for Jeppe Simonsen who took Willkins starting spot made his debut after coming from Liga Portugal 2. He spent most of his time on the bench. Kinda gives a little hope that Singh could get out of that league just as easy.
