It used to be that we didn’t get too excited about signing a full back. But modern football has changed all that. Yet still, our latest full back signing, Amar Dedic, didn’t exactly set many hearts fluttering.
I can’t lie, I hadn’t heard of him at first and then when my memory was jogged by the fact that Anthony Gordon had ran him ragged in last year’s Champions League game against Benfica, I was a bit unnerved. Clearly, I needn’t have been because Amar Dedic has quickly turned my frown upside down!
I’ll caveat this with the fact that it’s only been two games, but Dedic has made a flying start to his Newcastle career. He’s taken to English football like a duck to water and it’s fair to say that the lad looks like a seasoned Premier League veteran already. It might seem a convenient comparison, but he already reminds me of Kieran Trippier. His presence gives us a nice balance at the back and he looks pretty solid defensively.
Going forward Dedic is dynamic and quick, making brave runs on either side of the winger, and always giving opposition defenders just a little bit more to think about. Against Liverpool he never looked overawed, despite the extremely high emotion of the occasion, the opposition and the fact that he was making his debut just days after arriving at the club. The Bosnian showed a calm head which is going to serve him well for the remainder of the season.
Against West Brom, Dedic was superb again. While Harvey Barnes won the Man of The Match award for his two goals, Dedic wasn’t far behind with what some in the media would hilariously label a swashbuckling performance. Pirate-like or not, wor Amar had another fantastic game, bombing up and down the right hand side all night in an incredible display of stamina that left this fan tired just watching! More to the point, he grabbed a brace of assists; another happy knack that might just prove more than its weight in gold this year as well as leaving a certain Tino Livramento wondering if he’ll be able to get the shirt back once he’s fit again.
Clearly, our Geordie Bosnian has settled well and from celebrations on the pitch it seems like he’s quickly gained the trust and respect of his new team mates too. Defensively aware, likes a tackle, works hard, loves getting forward and provides the goods when he gets there – in a world where flair and skill are often king, Amar Dedic might just become the poster boy for sheer graft!
Middle Age Fanclub 