WSW supporter here, thought i'd pop in and give a little run down on Keanu Baccus.
Baccus is a very respected player within the Wanderers fanbase, earning himself the nickname "Parklea Messi", having amassed over 110 appearances across 6 seasons (usually a 26/27 game season). He has scored 6 goals and provided 10 assists across his senior career, mostly playing as a central defensive midfielder. Earlier in his career, he would play at right back, and at times over the last 2 seasons, he would be deployed as an attacking midfielder. This season he has performed well alongside midfield partner and former England international Jack Rodwell.
Pros:
- Very hard working, doesn't stop running for 90 minutes.
- Young leader.
- Physical player despite his skinnier build, breaks up play well.
- Probably his best attribute, always looks to advance the ball forward.
- Decent long balls, for example (go to 2:29 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phOeSq3EIa8).
- Decent long shots, think 4 of his 6 goals are from outside the box, for example, here are 2 against Melbourne Victory and Newcastle Jets (1:27 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaoaA8FOOE0&t=22s) (1:50 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PivHLZIa9p4&t=95s).
- Quite creative. Has a very nice through ball, see his assists against Leeds United and Adelaide for example (3:58 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYZM5j8maRw) (0:50 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IANz5wMP_AQ&t=25s).
Cons:
- Sometimes loses the ball in dangerous areas of the pitch. Hasn't happened as much if at all from memory this season, used to happen a fair bit.
- Will occasionally give away some really cheap, silly fouls in bad areas of the pitch.
- Not the best with his back to goal, this contributes to him losing the ball in bad areas and exposes the team to counter attacks.
- Not the best aerially, however did score a header in a recent "Sydney Derby" (3:11 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n3akmhG2iqY).
Summary: Overall, he is a really solid young player with a lot of potential, still a fair bit to improve on. Hoping he is able to show his class to the Black and White Army, and that he continues to develop into a top player. Will be keeping a close eye on how he and St Mirren perform this upcoming season, might even have to get myself a Baccus St Mirren jersey.
