Yep. Redmond and Hasenhüttl spoke to BBC radio and Redmond said he's been told to play as an 'inside 10' by Ralph who runs the channels from narrow positions in order to give the team an out ball, between the full back and the centre half, whether we go over the top with the pass or with a through ball, as with today. Hasenhüttl said he has been telling Nathan he is a fantastic player and he just needs to believe in himself more and stop worrying, because in Ralph's new system he is going to be scoring, assisting and getting chances more often. He believes in him.
Michael Obafemi also becomes the youngest ever senior Irish international to score in the Premier League.
Smart man, that. Drove me nuts last year that Redmond would often find himself in advanced positions, and then consistently drop back in order to present a short passing option. Was a total waste of what he can do well.
I like his movement more than Long's already, honestly. Long is full of running, but it's usually just one-way traffic... he's a Dodge Viper, good at going full tilt in a straight line, but a bit dangerous doing anything else. Made a Jermain Defoe comparison earlier for Obafemi, not just for the height and pace, but because Defoe always had a real knack for finding himself unmarked. Obafemi has done the same on a number of occasions thus far; for such a young player he's very good at checking runs and drifting into an open area if the situation necessitates. If his finishing improves, and it likely will, he'll bag goals. Been a minute since we produced a high-quality, home-grown striker.
I agree, composure is the key here (which i'm sure will come with experience). If he can learn to stay calmer at key moments and take the right option then I think that we have a real prospect.
Just caught up on the thread. What a great day and victory. I love Ralph already. Just listened to the BBC interview and loved the way he got "We March On" in it! Merry Christmas to you all!!!!!!!!! PS The dishwasher game is officially over.
Yeah, he's clearly very nervous when he ends up with the ball. I'd imagine that will pass, and it's to his credit that he's making the right decision so consistently without it. An average finisher with his skillset makes for a solid Premier League regular in the right system; a good finisher ends up with an OBE.
