Guest blogger Elliott gives his take on the Dublin Dynamo, Jason Knight
Tenacity, guile and energy. Three of Jason Knight's main attributes and something that is essential to get promoted from the Championship. It could be argued that Derby have not had a midfielder with similar attributes since Craig Bryson at his peak. With Knight still only 19 years old, he has plenty of room to improve and become a more well rounded player.
Despite Derby having a plethora of players that can play central midfield, it has proved to be an area of concern for The Rams. The team have lacked the right ‘balance’ in the middle of the park, struggling to find players that compliment each other. That was until the recent draw against Nottingham Forest. Derby began the game with Graeme Shinnie next to Jason Knight, which in theory, should have provided much needed energy and spark to disrupt the oppositions midfield.
Derby fans have been crying out for Knight to play in central midfield as opposed to on the wing where he has been shunned for most games this season. Knight's energy and guile, fans believe would suit him more playing through the middle. On Friday night they got their wish and Knight's stats spoke for themselves. Knight was a constant nuisance in the middle, disrupting play and drawing fouls. Knight was fouled five times and also had a 84.2% successful pass rate. Surprisingly, this was Knight's second to worse pass success rate this season.
Shinnie and Knight combined well throughout the game and operated well as a midfield two, providing plenty of bite. Both players attacked and defended well laying down a marker for the other central midfielders at the club. With Krystian Bielik and Wayne Rooney to return, completion for places in midfield are at a premium.
Jason Knight is one of the highly rated youngsters at the club but has somewhat gone under the radar due to the focus being on Max Bird and Louie Sibley recently. However he has been ever present this and last season, mainly playing out of position on the wings. If Knight is given a consistent run of games in the middle of the park he could become a mainstay in central midfield. With Sibley grabbing the headlines against Millwall and Bird for some impressive performances last season, Knight hasn’t been raved about nearly as much as the English pair. However, the Young Irishman has definitely now made his voice heard for a starting place in the lineup.
Jason Knight has also recently earnt himself a call up to the Irish national team, so his performances are being recognised. Interestingly, Jason Knight tops the charts for the most fouls drawn this season for a teenager across Europe’s Top-5 leagues. If Knight continues these impressive performances and also adds some goals and assists to his game, it could really spur Derby on and push them up the table.
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