By The MKDSA Media Team
Not too long ago Zak Jules was the forgotten man within the squad.
Jules joined us from Walsall on the final day in January transfer window in 2021 under R****** M*****, obviously the fee was undisclosed, he came with quite a reputation of being exciting player and an athletic physique.
His main problem was he was a left footed defender. He was touted by many as being (say this quietly) the heir to the number three shirt. In his first few apperances he looked quite impressive. We could see the potential.
His debut came in a 2-2 draw at home to Sunderland in the same week as he signed three days later he scored at Spotland in a 4-1 win. Jules had arrived.
The 25 year old Scottish Youth International defender was used 20 times in the remainder of the season as he featured in plans to switch to back three. Snakey left and it sort of went wrong for a while
When Liam Manning arrived Jules fell out of favour in spectacular fashion, having featured just 7 times by mid January 2022 he was loan out to League One rivals Fleetwood, many of us were neither shocked or surprised. He played 20 games and impressed, becoming a key part of their survival.
Anyone who attended the Rushden friendly back in the Summer would never have thought we’d be writing this; me included. It seemed nothing had change, he wasn’t good enough. He was made to look to rather ordinary by a part timer. His confidence was shattered, he looked a shell of a man. He’s a lovely bloke but he was ruined.
Fast forward to today and he’s thankfully not that man. He’s become one of the most improved and now most consistent players in our squad. Growing into the left sided position of a back three it has worked quite well for him. Not perfect and not the best defender but just better. He seems so much more confident and dare we think more reliable.
Zak’s season turned around in the space of two cup games in two different competitions in one week.
Watford (a) Carabao Cup R2 0-2 Jules defended solidly and had a few marauding runs through the game. Played his part in a fantastic win. Back three looked solid and he was unlucky not to keep his place for the trip to Morcambe on the Saturday.
Cheltenham (h) PJT 1-2 An imense personal performance for Zak. A game he really grew into after a slip or two in the first half that he more than put right in the second. Scored with a header too.
He missed out on few games after this but since starting against Peterborough he has been ever present in all competitions and has played a vital role in starting to get us away from the bottom four.
Being recognised in a struggling team with an inclusion in the Sky Bet League One Team of the Week is a major coup for Zak.
Keep it going King Jules
