Pires

[Vegas Claret]

Shows what a run of games can do for a player, doing very well at the moment is the lad. Long may it continue

[ecc]

Indeed. Starting to look really solid.

[Goliath]

My man of the match today. He's potentially a Premier League left back. Strong, fast, defends well, good touch and uses the ball well.

Just needs to get more assists but we don't really have a goalscorer for him to hit with crosses so that may be tactical as much as anything.

Not bad for a player people were saying is the worst left back they've ever seen for the club about 2 months ago

[fungus_the_bogeyman]

I thought he was absolutely superb again today. I was one of those who was critical of him earlier in the season but he’s got fitter, adapted to the league and now really looks the part. His one on one defending, strength on the back post and overall awareness have improved immeasurably as the season has gone along!

[Elizabeth]

The squad is so strong

[Goody1975]

Shows what a run of games can do for a player, doing very well at the moment is the lad. Long may it continue

What is does show is, having Jaidon Anthony in front of you makes a massive difference. He allows the full back to concentrate on their game rather than worrying about having two men to pick up.

[Vegas Claret]

What is does show is, having Jaidon Anthony in front of you makes a massive difference. He allows the full back to concentrate on their game rather than worrying about having two men to pick up.

I think Anthony needs an MRI to see if he has 4 lungs, looks like he could play 2 games and not break sweat.

[claretspice]

Absolutely immense. He's not out and out quick but he's now adapted to the pace and physicality of English football and he's more than able to handle it, and his quality in possession has always been there.

[Taffy on the wing]

Looked very confident today.....from what little i saw.

[Spike]

Most improved player since Christmas

[KRBFC]

Agreed, he’s very very good with the ball cutting inside, looks considerably more comfortable defensively too.

[jedi_master]

Has got better and better week by week - fair bloody play to the lad because I had doubts and was really worried when the excellent Humphreys got his injury.

[Tricky Trevor]

What is does show is, having Jaidon Anthony in front of you makes a massive difference. He allows the full back to concentrate on their game rather than worrying about having two men to pick up.

I came on to post similar. Earlier this season on the right Connor Roberts was in top form, without JA he has been solid but not involved as much going forward.
Pires has just improved with every game since Humphries injury. The partnership developing all the time.

[BabylonClaret]

Yeah he is really improving. He's rarely making those silly mistakes or being ribbed if the ball by strength. I think this is a better side than last time. If we had a goalscorer like Tella we would be probably already promoted.

It's why I am not con dried about playoffs - I'm confident there isn't a side that can beat us over 2 legs in this league. Final is a single game and is what it is but again we really should be too strong.

[blatherwickstattoos]

Top top class today. Stuck in when he needed to. Read the game great

[ElectroClaret]

Really come along and seems to have cut out the clumsy passes he used to make.

Pleased for the lad.

[willsclarets]

He's improved so much. Since Anthony switched left they've forged an excellent pair down that side.

[Selby Claret]

It must make a huge difference once you’ve acclimatised a little to a new country - the weather - the food - the people - and started to get a grip of the language

Vitinho left after only a few weeks of his arrival - probably his best opportunity to communicate, have some familiarity and settle in quickly

The run of games is massive of course but perhaps he’s also starting to feel at home

[jdrobbo]

Fantastic again today.

[NewClaret]

Superb. Absolutely superb. He’s becoming a big player for us.

He and Parker deserve massive praise for his development this season.

I read the other day someone say we should give up on 20 year old koleosho and ‘cash in’ this summer. Staggers me the impatience some have with such young players.

[Papabendi]

They tried targeting Roberts today - I guess its own compliment to this lad who I liked when I first saw him at Luton

[Devils_Advocate]

IMO Pires is a good Championship full back, especially for a top 6 side and doing a great job. Humphreys I think is the better all round player and would be getting the nod if fit. This season there's not much in it but I see Humphreys as capable of stepping up to the next level whilst Pires in the Premier League should be back up at best

[CalamityClaret]

Don't you ever get bored of being you

[Devils_Advocate]

Don't you ever get bored of being you

I assume this is aimed at me. What is wrong with what I've said? Id rather be realistic and honest rather than getting carried away with emotion. The people going OTT about Pires today would be the same people crucifying him if he's getting ripped apart in the Premier League next season

Speaking positively I dont think Pires has needed a run of games to prove his worth as I think he's been a very good player all season. The difference is when there was competition Humphreys just edged it but with him injured Pires is well good enough to play every week

That said I think if Pires is our first choice left back next season in the Premier League we are in big trouble and if you disagree with that then thats your opinion

[4:20]

Pires coming in for Humphreys and hitting the ground running like he has might end up being the difference in going up or not. We desperately needed this excellent version of Pires.

[COBBLE]

Trust this manager to develop his players.

[TheOriginalLongsider]

I have to say that I did not rate him at all for most of the season but the last few matches have changed my mind, and he got my man of the match vote on Saturday.

[bumba]

His performances have improved greatly but so have the teams recently, we're yet to see how much his defensive ability has improved because that was the huge question mark

[boatshed bill]

The people going OTT about Pires today would be the same people crucifying him if he's getting ripped apart in the Premier League next season

That said I think if Pires is our first choice left back next season in the Premier League we are in big trouble and if you disagree with that then thats your opinion

This could be said about at least half of our squad. Unfortunately that's the Premier League for you.

[warksclaret]

Absolutely improved in the last 4-5 games. Greatly assisted by the immense work rate of Anthony whose move to the left coincides with that improvement. Having said that I feel aerially he is very vulnerable and gets into no mans land, and if a tricky winger attacks him to the bye line, its rare he can get a challenge or tackle in. He could also get to the by line more and improve his crossing-his assists have been low. That all may sound critical, its not meant to be, as in this team of current momentum he is playing his part. I have to say there has been a club trend at LB with Maatsen, Vitinho and Pires who are all good on the ball, but lacking in proper defensive disciplines and defensive abilities which are paramount in the PL

[Darnhill Claret]

The players that have been our left backs recently have been selected for their attacking abilities, so that we can hopefully progress down either flank. When we are at the top of the Championship it works as required, when we are struggling at the bottom end of the Premier League, we see the defensive frailty. Hopefully coaching and other work on the training ground will address this until we can find a left sided defensive player, either within our squad or from elsewhere, who is more than competent in both aspects of the game.

[Culmclaret]

Absolutely improved in the last 4-5 games. Greatly assisted by the immense work rate of Anthony whose move to the left coincides with that improvement. Having said that I feel aerially he is very vulnerable and gets into no mans land, and if a tricky winger attacks him to the bye line, its rare he can get a challenge or tackle in. He could also get to the by line more and improve his crossing-his assists have been low. That all may sound critical, its not meant to be, as in this team of current momentum he is playing his part. I have to say there has been a club trend at LB with Maatsen, Vitinho and Pires who are all good on the ball, but lacking in proper defensive disciplines and defensive abilities which are paramount in the PL

He has improved aerially. He was really targeted, for instance, at Ashton Gate back in November and struggled. Swansea tried the same in the second half recently and he stood up to it really well. It is fair to say that he could have done better for the goal on Saturday but was otherwise sound defensively against a very physical Coventry side.