Niall Mason

[pib]

Decent player Mason.  I think his versatility hinders him a little bit (a la Jimmy O'C) because he's not settled in one position but he's making RB his own now which is pleasing.

I think my only slight criticism of him would be that he needs to show a bit more composure on the ball sometimes. Occasionally it's like a hot potato and he wants to just get it forward.  We saw at times last season that he's actually a good player on the ball when he relaxes a bit.

FWIW I think Baudry has been very good when I've seen him this season.  All 3 of our senior centre halves are in decent form.

[Campsall rover]

Mason is now in a settled position at right back and that is helping his development as a player no question.
Baudry looked much more comfortable against Northampton because he played as the right sided centre back. Previously he has played on the left of the three centre backs. I think DF has now got a bit of a dilemma as to who to play in a two centre back formation Baudry or Wright. Butler can’t be left out if fit as he has proved me totally wrong this season. I thought he would struggle. On the contrary he has been outstanding.
I do hope DF sticks to a flat back four. We don’t have the quality of wing backs to play that system.
Blair is NOT comfortable playing that role in my opinion, most of the time he doesn’t know when to stick or twist. Wigan away was the best example. He was made to look stupid at times that night, and the blame was DF’s as he got his tactics very wrong.
Blair is a right sided midfield/winger and should be used only in that role or don’t play him.
I am now hoping that DF has realised putting round pegs in square holes does not work.
I think the penny may have finally dropped.

[Chris Black come back]

I would agree with much of that analysis.

[mushRTID]

Another good performance and some quality set pieces. Really rate this lad.

[RedJ]

Where were these quality set pieces then?

Other than that yes he did well again.

[mushRTID]

His free kicks looked good from my seat.

[rich1471]

Where were these quality set pieces then?

Other than that yes he did well again.

really, some of the balls he played into tonight were very good and should have resulted in more goals

[RoversAlias]

Yes his corners and some crosses too were into some very dangerous areas. Rochdale defended these balls well to their credit.

[drfchound]

I thought his set piece delivery was terrific.

[RedJ]

I didn't think they were that good. Though perhaps that's because as stated Rochdale dealt with them well.

[DonnyOsmond]

Thought they were hit and miss personally. I've no problem with him carrying on though.

[GazLaz]

Very good again. Really improving into a quality player. As has been mentioned, his set pieces are excellent. 

[Alan Southstand]

Was one of the few players tonight that was consistent in both halves.

[IDM]

He consistently put the ball in dangerous places from corners and free kicks.. 

Plus for the second half he was up against Andrews..  My MotM shortly followed by Marquis.

[tommy toes]

Those who have criticised Mason haven't got a clue.
He's turning into one of our most important players. He's tactically spot on, knows when to drop off or not, tackles well and can see a pass long or short.
He's now taking most free kicks and corners not to mention penalties.
He's only young as well. We've got a right prospect there.
Players like Kongolo ought to watch him and learn.

[RobTheRover]

He was very good tonight. Composed on the ball, battled hard without it.

[Pancho Regan]

Mason was excellent tonight, my MOTM.

I watched him closely - he has grown immensely in confidence. He was brave and solid in his defensive work and a threat going forward. And I too was impressed with his dead-ball deliveries.

A great prospect if he keeps improving at this rate.

[Dare to dream!]

He lost his man for their best chance of the game. He’s an okay right back but his best asset is his delivery into the box

[Alan Southstand]

If Andrew was still at left back, that would make for a very solid looking back 4 and we would have a threat from either left or right side. God, how we've missed that extra dimension, but it has been tempered by the steady improvement in Garrett.

We will have 2 decent full backs when Danny joins us once more but until then, I think another loanees is not out the question. Mason looking more and more the part, but Garrett still learning.

[graingrover]

Mason is the real success though he does not get as much natural support as say Alfie May because his rôle in the team is less highlighted . In his time as a loanee he was sometimes used in the middle of the backline or infront of them but over these last three games in particular he has made that right back spot his own in my view . I thought DF would have rested him last night in favour of Alcock but Mason worked indefatigably again.

[DonnyOsmond]

The new Dave Mulligan.

[NickDRFC]

I think he's come on leaps and bounds. He was probably nothing but steady last year at left or right back, in fact the best game I saw him have last year was at Notts County in the middle and that was where I thought his future lay. However he now looks so comfortable in a back four, and increasingly so going forward - long may it continue.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

He's also improved alot in the air. He won some very important headers. He's still learning from his mistakes but game on game, he's getting better. He's also got a very level headed temperament and good stamina.