da betano casino： This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
da jogodeouro： John McGinn has hailed Dean Smith for moving him further forward, citing the impact it has had on his game, as reported by The Daily Record.
What did he say?
McGinn has been a revelation since moving from Hibernian to Aston Villa in the summer of 2018, playing an integral part in the team’s success during that time.
During his maiden campaign at Villa Park, the Scotland international scored eight goals for the club, adding another ten assists to that tally from 44 games in the Championship and play-offs, helping to earn promotion.
He has already followed that up with three goals and two assists in 15 top-flight matches, indicating just how useful he can be in the final third.
The midfielder has opened up about the impact Smith’s alteration to his position has had, while speaking to The Daily Record:
“The move further forward in midfield has taken my game to the next level.
“It was Dean Smith that taught me that role and after that I’ve got more used to it and it’s definitely brought my game on.
“I use my energy to get the team further up the park and have been getting a lot more goals and assists. Hopefully I can carry on doing that for Scotland as well.”
No one-off
This is just one example of how Smith has been able to tweak somebody’s position within the team to help the balance and quality of their play.
He has also done that this season with Jack Grealish, who has been moved to the left-wing, after predominantly playing a central role before that decision.
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FFC has already written about how this move has brought the best out of Conor Hourihane, while not jeopardising Grealish’s influence on proceedings.
Though it can now perhaps be argued that it has even enhanced it, as the talismanic figure has managed to get three goals and two assists from seven games since making the move, having managed two assists from six games in midfield.
The manager is beginning to show that he has a knack for spotting how changing someone’s position can benefit the team.
In other news, Smith has been standing up for one of his players amid criticism after the Chelsea loss.