Strange the critics of Sutton, he’s one of the few players who can beat a man and driving the game forward and, he had a great assist. On the side people have a blind eye on Piper who can’t control or pass the ball and only is strong and enthusiastic.
And for example, you look at how players unlock each other’s potential.
Ishige, Payne and Kosta for Nagasawa’s goal. One touch, fast football, a lot of ball movement.
Nagasawa holds the ball up, looking for a disguised pass for Sutton’s run. He somehow sees the option and plays the behind his back, no look pass. Sutton’s either read that he wants the run or made the run and got the ball as a result. No run, no ball and we’re criticising Nagasawa for wasting an opportunity.
It’s the kind of play which usually requires time together as a squad. Unfortunately.
He’s a less gregarious character than Payne, and hasn’t had the same opportunities too perhaps, or hasn’t established the same versatility, but unless he’s got an Aussie connection he’s been signed as an import by another A league team.
And he’s only 23! If he can keep himself out of the physio’s (and that concrete-like Aussie turf might not help!) he could have 10-14 years in the game yet…
On the other hand, we’ve had Cacace and Sutton. And while Payney has matured and started producing very handy stats, Sutton definitely has room and skill to grow there.
It’ll be interesting to see the next FB off the Nix production line. Both of the above debuted well before they were 20.