Sideways Sammy

Probably the best of Coventry City’s centre-backs, that is not an accolade that is currently attached to much significance. Bobby Thomas has largely had a good first year or so in a Sky Blues shirt but has had his role to play in a leaky back-line that doesn’t look to be improving any time soon. Capable of being that missing physical presence at the heart of the defence and with some level of ability on the ball, Thomas has both suffered from and contributed to the lack of stability at the back this time has had since the start of last season amid some more encouraging displays.

The closest thing this defence has to a leader, almost every time that Bobby Thomas looks on the verge of stepping up to becoming that key anchoring presence, he loses concentration and does something silly. Someone who can be commanding and physically assertive, Thomas can then let himself down by stepping forward and missing out on challenges to leave the back-line completely exposed. Decent on the ball, Thomas can then inexplicably pass straight to the opposition. Perhaps he would benefit from the team looking to keep things more simple, allowing him to focus on the basics of defending and avoiding taking risks, but any positive performances from Thomas have often to be caveated by the sense that there’s a mistake to come.

It is probably asking way too much of a 23-year-old centre-back who is only in his second year of Championship football to be the leader of a youthful back-line. Under the right circumstances, Bobby Thomas could well be someone who will develop into that kind of player and be a real asset for this football. Right now, the defender lacks the structure around him in order to excel. Unless Thomas suddenly makes huge strides in his game, this defence is going to remain naive and unsettled until at least the next transfer window.