By Tom Wardle
Boro supporters yesterday thought Fletcher had rescued a point at the death after being 2-0 down. He hadn’t. Why did we all think he had? Even after everyone realised the Boro twitter page got it wrong, there was THAT photo going around Boro twitter. That photo which had Ashley Fletcher sprinting in front of the away fans, screaming, a beaming smile glowing on his face.
Fletcher is a player who wasn’t born 'n' bred in Boro, who has only made a handful of appearances and has had a significant number of supporters on his back since day one, questioning the £7 million Boro paid for his services whilst Garry Monk was manager. Yesterday proved he still has a place at the football club. Any player who is 100% committed to the badge is welcome to play for my club.
Last season Fletcher was criticised at times, not because he had necessarily done anything wrong, but because his performances failed to justify his price tag. He went out on loan to Sunderland when his confidence was low, and if there was one club you didn't want to join when your confidence was low, it was Sunderland. So unsurprisingly, he didn't do well.
Cue this summer, a transfer window during which most supporters either thought he was off or had forgotten he was at the club. Yet there he was, on the opening day of the season, as one of the three young substitutes who helped drive a lacklustre team back from 2-0 down to draw with just seconds remaining.
Does Fletcher still have a place at the club?
Following yesterday’s cameo, it’s hard to say he hasn’t. Maybe he’s the reason why Pulis didn’t fight tooth and nail to keep Bamford? His style is a lot more balanced than Britt's and Rudy's, who at the moment are the two likely starters ahead of him. Fletcher is quick, direct, a willing runner and at 6’1, he offers more height in the box than Assombalonga, whilst holding more creativity than Gestede. In many ways, he could be considered to be the perfect Tony Pulis striker.
However, in short, not at the moment. He's not ready to be the so-called ‘main man’ of a side striving for promotion. Pulis likes a strong, physical center-forward. Britt and Rudy, whilst their game vary from each other’s, both have that physical edge and that little bit of streetwise attitude successful strikers have under Pulis. Because of his inexperience, Fletcher lacks that at the moment. But to gain that, he needs game time.
He could still have a very important role in the squad though. As proven yesterday, his athletic ability allows him to either play in a central position, or in a wide role. We haven’t found out which role he suits better yet, although at 6’1, I think Pulis would prefer to develop his game in a central position.
Having said all of that, he didn't start yesterday in what was at best, an average Boro side. With players coming in, he is only going to keep falling down the pecking order. So what do I think will be next for the 22-Year-Old? After yesterday he deserves a chance. I want players at my club who celebrate like fans, exactly like Fletcher did. He’s shown glimpses of what he’s capable of, and with Pulis explaining in more or less every interview recently that he doesn't want to waste the club’s money, then it’s time he was given the chance to prove his worth.
Whilst the positions on the pitch expected Boro arrival Martyn Waghorn takes up differ from Ashley Fletcher's, his arrival would provide even more competition at the front-end of the team. It’s down to Pulis to develop and get the best out of his players, and I believe we are yet to see the best of Fletcher. He’s 22, the same age as Adama Traore, so if supporters want to give Traore time to develop even further, then the same should be done for Fletcher, a player who both Manchester United and West Ham saw potential in. Just because he doesn't come from Boro, doesn’t mean he just be treated any differently than the likes of Fry, Chapman and Wing.
There’s a player in there, and it’s up to Pulis and the coaching staff to bring the best out of him, and prove why Steve Gibson agreed to pay big money to bring the youngster in. But more importantly for his development, Pulis needs to give him a chance in the first-team.
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