Sideways Sammy

Signed to be the back-up option across the front-line, Brandon Thomas-Asante rarely troubled the starting line-up for any reason other than injury to first-choice players last season, this year, he has made himself utterly undroppable. Again, injuries have allowed Thomas-Asante to start games regularly but, unlike last year, he has seized those opportunities and has become one of the league’s most dangerous attacking players. Whether it’s up front, out wide or even in a withdrawn role, Thomas-Asante’s searing pace, relentless energy and composure in front of goal has made him a revelation for Coventry City this season.

Brandon Thomas-Asante’s initial struggles in Sky Blue look to be down to him being signed without a specific role in mind other than to come off the bench as a late gambit. Initially, he seemed to lack the physicality to excel as a centre-forward or the skill to beat defenders out wide. This season, Frank Lampard has found a way to harness Thomas-Asante’s raw attributes of pace and enthusiasm. Whether it’s been out wide or centrally, Thomas-Asante has been tasked this season with acting as a second striker to support the centre-forward and make runs in behind to devastate opposing defences. Off the ball, his energy and enthusiasm has made the team more effective in pressing opponents. On top of that, Thomas-Asante’s instincts as a goalscorer look to have improved immensely this season, whether that’s in his movement to get into scoring positions – especially from set-pieces and long throws – or in the composure he’s showing in taking chances that fall his way.

The elephant in the room over Brandon Thomas-Asante’s season thus far has been that he’s been getting opportunities due to injuries to other key attacking players. Whether it was Tatsuhiro Sakamoto in the opening weeks or Jack Rudoni more recently, there is a question as to where Thomas-Asante fits when everyone is available. The left wing is probably the likeliest position he might end up at but that is probably the position he struggles in the most. It is certainly a ‘problem’ that is in the category of a ‘nice problem to have’ with the answer being that, on current form, Thomas-Asante looks capable of making any position his own.