Maybe I have misjudged you but I would say almost certainly that is what is driving a lot of opinion against Barry Fuller and for Ryan Jackson.
Chris, I’m not sure it’s a lot of sentiment AGAINST Baz. Many fans (myself included) wouldn't moan if Barry Fuller was our first choice RB this season. He’s quality.
But even 2 years ago a lot of fans thought Barry Fuller was possibly getting too old. Evans thought the same 1 year ago but Baz proved them/us all wrong last season.
It’s just that now Baz is yet another year older. SE has flagged that he thinks he slowed down a bit and was starting to show it.
I don’t think anyone would like to see Barry Fuller go on a year too long. If anything it’s best to go out a year too early. SE has made that call. It’s his job to do these things.
Personally I think it’s possibly the right call, but we will never know unless Barry makes his way back into the side and goes great again. And if Barry Fuller IS good enough he’ll pick up another side and play well.
And Ryan Jackson is certainly a capable replacement. He’s younger by 4 or 5 years, he’s definitely quicker, he’s been quality for 2 years in one of the better L2 sides, and despite you saying he’s not proven at L1 level, he most certainly is. He proved himself for a season and a half with us as being very good. I remember when he was released a lot of people thought it was the wrong move.
If it’s true that defensively he’s not as good as Fuller, I’m sure Evans will get that part sorted. He certainly improved all our defenders last season.
Bottom line is, Steve Evans has made the call and it’s his job to improve us. I trust him to do that. After all he improved a squad last season that lost the best striker and best keeper in the league for nowt. He knows what he’s doing.