How Moses Odubajo has become a key figure at right-back for Hull City

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Hull City’s full-back Moses Odubajo has been picking up high praise for his recent performances in the play-off semi-finals against Derby County. Tigers fans will be hoping for more of the same in next weekend’s final against Sheffield Wednesday as they attempt to return to the Premier League.

At 13-years-old Odubajo walked away from a trial period at Millwall after the loss of his mother. It wasn’t until the age of 15 that Odubajo signed for a professional contract with Leyton Orient and only broke into the first team in 2011/12.

Odubajo went on to make over 100 appearances for Leyton Orient before moving on to Brentford and then making the £3.5 million move to Hull City in August 2015.

Now, at the age of 22, Odubajo has become a permanent figure in Steve Bruce’s starting eleven. He is most often used at right back but can also play on the wing.

One asset that makes Odubajo stand out is his pace. He is lightening quick which can frustrate wingers who are used to beating their opposition full-back. This pace also comes in handy when he bombs forward into attacking positions which he does regularly.

As Odubajo has played as a winger previously he is more than capable of providing an extra attacking threat with his speed and dribbling ability. He adds good width to the team and if the opposition wingers don’t track back then he can find himself in space in dangerous crossing positions.

Something nearly all managers look for in a player is their work rate. Odubajo has a fantastic determination and despite going forward regularly he will get back into position quickly showing his impressive stamina.

In the first leg of the play-off semi-finals, Odubajo had more touches than any other player on the pitch, which shows how much influence he can have on the game from full-back. The energy Odubajo can bring to a game can really drive his teammates on and make the difference as well as exciting the fans and getting them behind the team.

As with many full-backs Odubajo, who is only 5’8”, can be caught out in aerial duels when he finds himself up against a target man. As a wide player this is not vital to his game but it is something he and his teammates will need to be aware of if a big striker decides to pull towards the far post to take advantage of this.

Even though Odubajo’s attacking presence is obvious he is still yet to score for Hull, although he has shown his finishing ability during his time at Leyton Orient, where he scored twelve goals in the 2013/14 season.

If Hull do get promoted back to the Premier League Odubajo has probably done enough this season to convince Steve Bruce that he will not need to look for a new right back in the summer. Fail to get promoted it will be no surprise if Hull City have to fend of bids for the talented youngster from teams in the top division of English football.

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