ABLETT PRAISES COLOSSAL HOBBS

Steve Hunter 14 March 2007 Liverpool Reserves manager Gary Ablett was full of praise for Jack Hobbs after his colossal performance at centre half during the 2-0 win over Wigan Athletic.

It was Hobbs's first start in his preferred position of centre half this season, and he responded to the task superbly against the Latics experienced strikeforce of Julius Aghahowa and Andreas Johansson. Liverpool's other hero on the night was supersub Besian Idrizaj who came off the bench to score twice and give Ablett's side the three points. "I thought we deserved the three points and Jack was magnificent at the back and led by example," enthused Ablett. "Jack hasn't had that many chances at centre half because at the start of the season he was injured and then we played him in a midfield holding role. He is a good lad and he is a very good prospect. "Wigan fielded an experienced team and it was a difficult start for us but we got into the game and competed very well. "It was a difficult game for our strikers Jordy Brouwer and Craig Lindfield because they were playing against experienced central defenders in Arjan De Zeeuw and Andreas Granqvist. I made a change when Bez came on and he scored our goals and did very well