Preston North End midfielder Alan Browne believes that Robbie Brady quite simply receives too much criticism.
Brady would probably accept himself that this has been a testing season.
The Irishman missed the first month of the season and struggled to get going for a while.
Brady has only made eight Championship starts this season and has often come in for hefty criticism over the course of the campaign.
Brady sparked a fightback against Blackburn Rovers last weekend though, whipping a stunning strike into the top corner with PNE 2-0 down.
That moment was supposed to be the catalyst for Brady to really kick on this season but he ended up missing Friday’s 3-0 thrashing of Coventry City.
Alan Browne defends Robbie Brady
That meant Liam Millar moving to left wing back and Alan Browne to right wing back as Ali McCann came into midfield.
An exceptional performance against Coventry means Brady now faces a battle to get back into the team, but he certainly has the support of captain Alan Browne.
The pair know each other from the Republic of Ireland national team setup and Browne has moved to defend Brady.
Speaking to iFollow, Browne suggested that the criticism Brady receives is ‘completely undeserved’, even if he hasn’t been quite as his very best level.
Browne feels that there is always a scapegoat in the eyes of supporters and things Brady has taken that role this season.
The North End captain added that Brady has been ‘brilliant’ and ‘fantastic’ of late, adding that he is one of the best trainers in the PNE squad.
“I’m quite aware of a lot of the stick that he gets, which to me is completely undeserved,” said Browne. “I think he probably hasn’t been as good as he is in games but for us, who see him on a daily basis, he’s one of the best trainers and in games… I don’t understand the stick that he does get.”
“Sometimes people can be a scapegoat and I think that’s been the case for quite a while now. Obviously, criticism… it’s going to be there for every player, but yeah, as of recently, he’s been fantastic and any opportunity he’s got on the pitch, he’s been brilliant but I think people are quick to point out the bad things rather than the good things,” he added.
We know that Brady has so much quality on his left foot, so that stunner against Rovers maybe wasn’t a huge surprise.
Brady will be hoping to provide similar moments before the season ends, especially with PNE now chasing a playoff spot.