24-02-2015, 21:45
(24-02-2015, 21:33)TheBaggieMan Wrote: Brunt's major plus is the clinical inch perfect through ball enabling the receiving striker a chance of scoring. Strange thing is that his crosses and corners are often poor with over hitting or to an opposition player. That said, he occasionally puts in a superb corner or angled free kick that results in a goal. Why he isn't more consistent with these is a mystery.
Spot on. In recent seasons, Brunty's presence in our attacking line-up has contributed to our being slow and one-dimensional in the build-up, and the positives he provides never really seem to do more than balance out the negatives. The fact that he's now been pulled back to defensive duties suggests that TP is of the same view.
That said, I don't think anyone can knock Brunt as a servant to the club. I bought last season's DVD review (yes, I am that masochistic) and was struck by Brunt's analysis of the 4-3 Villa game when he talked about picking his lad up from school the day after, with all the Vile-supporting parents taking the piss out of him and his boy having had it off the other kids all day too; it's exactly what we as supporters have to go through, and I don't think many people appreciate that some of our players go through exactly the same. I was glad to see the bloke get a bit of an ovation from the Woodman Corner when he went up for a corner vs West Ham, and also hearing the "Chrissy Brunt Brunt Brunt" song again recently; yes, I think he's past his best for us, but he still warrants some serious respect in my eyes.
"I would rather spend a holiday in Tuscany than in the Black Country, but if I were compelled to choose between living in West Bromwich or Florence, I should make straight for West Bromwich." - J.B. Priestley