It has been a frustrating year or so for Fankaty Dabo. Amid some very good performances have been a number of injury absences, being asked to play out of position and some outright sloppy displays. It may well be the case that some of the struggles Dabo has faced in attempting to replicate his best form over extended periods relates to the various knocks and niggles he has to contend with in recent times, but he is someone who is capable of reaching a higher standard than he has shown for much of the past 12 months.
It is Dabo’s ball-carrying ability and drive both in and out possession that makes him someone capable of being a strong performer on the right side at Championship level. Having played at right wing-back for the majority of his 100 league appearances for the club, Dabo’s return of goals and assists is underwhelming. Although his game is more about stretching the play than directly creating or scoring, it is that end product that he should be striving to improve. For someone who has the ability to get into good areas of the pitch often, the biggest criticism of Dabo is that he is hesitant in playing a final ball, which allows opposing teams to organise their defences and defend the crosses or block the shots when they eventually come in.
The big caveat when criticising Fankaty Dabo over the past year or so in a Coventry City shirt is that it seems like he has rarely been at peak fitness and appears to be playing within himself slightly as a result. When Dabo is at full speed, he can not only cause opposing teams problems with his ability to stretch the play on the right but he can also be a very strong defender, making him a huge asset to the team. A lot of that appears to rely on fitness levels which Dabo has struggled to maintain. Another congested fixture list this season is not going to help Dabo play himself into fitness and form, he may well have to find other ways to produce his best football, if not, he cannot take his place in the side for granted.
Sideways Sammy 