On the last Huddle Breakdown episode (please subscribe!), I opined that Reo Hatate’s performance against Hibernian in the 6-1 home win was one of the worst I’d ever seen.
I hope you understand I am not usually one for Talksport levels of sensationalism, and I was just giving my honest opinion.
What I am happy to report is that in the 4-0 League Cup victory at Fir Park, I had the same Hatate as Bhoy of the Match.
Quite the week then for the young Japanese midfielder.
What do such extremes look like in the data, I don’t hear you ask but I will answer anyway?
Both games involved dominant wins yet the performances from Hatate individually were night and day.
Against Hibernian he struggled to control basic passes and mistimed many passes. In 70 minutes, he completed only 13 passes despite being an attacking player in a side with complete control.
He turned the ball over more and created only one chance.
Against Motherwell we saw the raw potential shine.
He led the team with an overall packing score of 167 thanks to 11 pack passes and 17 pack passes received. He also forced two packing turn overs whilst giving up just one. Hatate completed four passes into the danger zone central to the goal inside the box.
His goal was masterfully taken with a bit of strength and then quick feet to bamboozle Liam Kelly in the home goal.
Hatate (and Alexandro Bernabei) are young players learning their trade in a new country and environment. Both are players who have been bought because they bring extreme risk to their aggressive attacking play. That is, they are very direct and dangerous to the opponents. But there is a downside in terms of turnovers and losing possession in bad areas allowing transitions against.
Both will learn and improve their decision making with time and patience.
What we saw, in extremis, in these two latest games, is the up and downsides of that development journey.
The manager will not sanction him for taking the risks he does indeed the opposite is more likely.
A fascinating player for us to enjoy.
He can go from deeply frustrating to sublime within a few touches. There’s real quality there but decision making and consistency are key going forward. Lovely player when he’s firing on all cylinders.
He was very good at Motherwell & his goal was delightful.
However, with 2 goals & 2 assists I had Liel Abada as my MOTM.
I do rate him very highly but he does blow very hot & cold.
Obviously no player is ever going to be an 8/9 out of 10 every game but he very rarely seems to have an average game. It’s a 2/3 out of 10 or an 8/9 out of 10 performance from him with not much middle ground. Long term, a player like that can become a bit of a liability.
There’s nothing wrong with a wee 6/7 out of 10 performance now and again Reo!
It doesn’t always have to be “All sugar or All sh!te”
AP is showing incredible patience towards Reo. I had Reo losing possession 15 times in the Hibs game, ie losing control of the ball, passing the ball to opposition or passing the ball straight out of play against his 13 completed successful passes. Against European teams we would have been punished quickly if he had had such a display. AP is showing that he is willing to take the risk of playing Reo in CL games which shows how highly he rates him.
Thanks very much for highlighting Reo as he is fast becoming an enigma.