Jordan Obita: Ready To Recapture 2013-14 Form

Jordan Obita has been one to debate about over the past couple of years. He showed so much promise in his first full season at the club, where we just missed out on the Play-Offs. Last season, he wasn’t as effective, but there is certainly potential there.

After cementing his place as a first team regular during the 2013/14 season with Wayne Bridge being out through injury, he moved from playing in midfield to left back where he really made the position his own and would have bene real competition for Bridge if he was to return.

Everybody during this season commented on how brilliant the youngster was doing, and it wasn’t much surprise when he was voted as Player of the Season for the 13/14 season. Throughout the summer he played for the England under 20s where he scored the opening goal against Qatar in the Toulon Tournament. It was only going to be time before big clubs were linked, and Liverpool were strong favourites to sign the youngster, but we held on and he played throughout the 14/15 season - though he couldn't quite maintain that level of form from the previous campaign.

Don’t get me wrong, I wouldn’t have wanted anybody else at left back, but there were moments of sloppiness that were not really there previously, and the threat down the left wasn’t as prominent, but was that due to confidence within the team and morale on the whole being down. As we know, there wasn’t really a stand-out outfield player for us last season, so Obita was neither the worst, nor the best.

Obita can only improve this season, maybe with some more confidence within the team, he will again begin to shine. He again should have his place cemented at left-back, and maybe with some more signings, could we see him moved to midfield and even in central midfield which is his favoured position.

I firmly believe that Jordan will be in the top three for Player of the Season again this term. With a few more goals and assists, we will have the Obita of old back and the nervousness of not selling him to a bigger club! And having 77 League appearances under his belt already at the age of 21, he still has plenty of time to improve and he can show why he's one of the most exciting youth products to ever emerge from our Academy.

Do you think Jordan can recapture the form of two seasons ago? Are you happy with him at left-back or would you prefer to see him moved to a more advanced role? Let us know below.