Everton defender Luke Garbutt is yet to impress his new fans at Oxford United having secured a loan spell out with them in the season of 2018/19.
The 25-year-old headed out to the Kassam Stadium over the summer and with only five senior appearances to his name for us, the former England youth international’s early promise has more than appeared to stall.
Good game time out with Cheltenham Town, Colchester United and Fulham, stalled with a spell at Wigan and in many ways he’s looking to perform to find a new club in the eyes of many as few believe he’ll make a proper breakthrough now given his age.
Four games for Oxford so far have seen them win only once in the EFL Cup and they have conceded ten goals in three League One matches so far, and whilst he’s far from their only poor performer, having the Everton tag around his neck seems to be counting against him when it comes to the reactions of some fans.
Both fullbacks are not fit for purpose
— Ian Bishop (@oufcbish) August 18, 2018
The modern day full back can defend but also join in with attracts , Garbutt does neither #OUFC
— Sam Morgan⚽️ (@SamOufc) August 18, 2018
#OUFC player ratings @jonomitchell 6
Garbutt 1
Dickie 5
Nelson 6
McMahon 4
Mackie 2
Baptiste 6
Hanson 3
Brannagan 5
Browne 7
Smith 3Subs: obika 6
Henry 8
Ruffles 4— Zak Jaggs (@JaggsZak) August 18, 2018
Take it you don’t rate Garbutt?
— Will (@WAJG_96) August 20, 2018
He is beyond shocking. Can’t defend and is constantly out of position. Haven’t seen a player this bad for oxford in a long time
— Sam Allen (@guycalledsam) August 20, 2018
As I said in the follow-up tweet, you could perhaps put McMahon or Cameron in on the right side, but I was trying to make room for Hall. On the left, who do you want there? Garbutt is a huge problem. Browne has the motor to track back to front, and he seems willing to defend.
— James (@OUFC_Yellows) August 18, 2018
He was awful-thought he would be changed half time-you could see what was happening.
— Dave the ????️????????g randad (@chalkface2009) August 18, 2018
Surprised how poor Garbutt has been at left back. Teams have targeted him (with success) consistently. #oufc
— James (@OUFC_Yellows) August 18, 2018
For his sake, as well as ours, hopefully, he can turn this around and win them over as they were far from the only comments aimed at him and it wasn’t pretty but this is what happens when early promise isn’t built on as at his age, he can’t hide behind the youngster tag even if his game time is nowhere near where it should be for his age.