Zoggy !

 

In racing parlance, Charles Nzogbia could be anything, and his impending return (for the 'Boro fixture) is welcome news indeed. Belated though it is, it at least offers an opportunity for a young lad with a ton of potential to salvage something from an exasperating season - as well as a boost for the manager, who has seen his left-sided/footed options decimated through injuries and loss of form (Duff, Babayaro and latterly Emre, for various reasons, have all had more than their share of problems).

 

Zoggy was outstanding at times last season, and an instant hit with the fans. In pre-season, he looked to me like he'd progressed again: he was flying, easily our most dangerous attacking player. Along with Taylor, it was The Zog plenty of us were most looking forward to seeing this season.

 

It all went wrong. He lost his form from the off. The arrival of Duff is a likely factor, along with the departure of Boumsong, with whom he was said to have been very close (few would have thought there could be a downside to that particular exit!). Whatever the reasons, it's common for young players to hit a bad patch; and the subsequent lengthy injury capped the frustration.

 

But there's no reason to suppose he won't recover his form, and pick up where he left off last August: he's got bags of talent. Comfortable out wide or through the middle, two-footed, balanced, and pacey. His outstanding quality for me is his directness: he's the very opposite of a showboater, always looking to get forward with purpose, and make something happen. Refreshingly too, he stays on his feet under challenge, an increasingly rare quality - demonstrated memorably last season in a goal against the mackems, where he simply weaved and drove through a crowd of defenders and stuck it away.

 

You can never be certain a talented young player will go on to fulfill his potential, but Charles Nzogbia looks a good bet to me. Gan on the Zog.