West Ham’s, Doneil Henry very struggled last night as a right back for Canada against Mexico in a World Cup qualifier match. The 22 year old centre-back struggled in an un-natural position as his side went 3-0 down in Vancouver.
Henry himself came in for a lot of criticism from Canadian supporters who couldn’t understand why he had been chosen to play in the right back position. His critics said he looked rusty, off the pace and afraid to go forward as a full back. One Candiadan fan said “Henry is embarrassing. What did West Ham see in him?”
Maybe it is slightly unfair criticism considering his lack of first team action at West Ham but the Hammers seem to have plenty of other players who can step into the right back role with ease after Carl Jenkinson season-wrecking injury. Centre-back James Tomkins took to the role with ease and looked like a natural before his own injury and more recently Michail Antonio has shown he can play as a decent right back too. Slaven Bilic please take note, don’t ever Henry in the right back position, you may regret it.
Very unfair to single out Henry,not all center backs can play in that role,and bear in mind he has had injuries and no first team games.The step up in quality of opponents is huge.Ask Blackburn rovers fans what they thought of Henry.
He can’t be any worse then Jenkinson who I am sure could not play Central Defender,
Playing for Canada is slightly different as we have 10 great players to play alongside him not some second class Championship standard players,
Mexico are not a bad side either so I expect they were totally out classed