Absolutely. We've got to make hay whilst the sun shines. Teams will wise up soon enough as you say. Be amazing to get 3pts on Sat. Unlikely but possible
That might have been the wrong turn of phrase, but there are a lot waiting for that mistake which will be why it comes across like that. Seemingly desperate for him to misplace a pass to just say “he’s not good enough”
I wish it was, plenty have wanted him to fail at CM. Still do. Now the second bit in bold is rot. If he had all those problems he'd be useless anywhere defence included.
Centre halves do not need to play on the turn, they play with their back to goal, facing the play. O'Nien is excellent at that Centre halves (usually) do not need play in tight spaces, they are the last line of defence before knocking it back to the keeper. Clearly you are your son''s biggest fan Mrs O'Nien, but you have to face facts - he's a defender, not a midfielder
The thing is, he isn't good enough to play in midfield. He could potentially play as a 10, but we have far better options in that position. He's definitely not a 6 or an 8, he doesn't have the ability for that. There's no shame in that and I think it's testament to the lad's hard work and determination that he's able to play so many positions - IMHO Right Back, or right side of a three are his best positions
You can say that like it's a fact but the actual facts completely contradict that. Never mind, you crack on with that belief. I'd say he's both a CM and a CB and can play either role well. Arguably better in defence because he does seem to go up a level slightly when he plays there.
Can't disagree as its only my opinion. I've always liked Evans mind. What I do know however is when O'Nien considered leaving us summer before last, he was trying to get into several championship clubs but was clear he wanted to play midfield and the only offers he was getting were to be a defender like he had done in his good spell with Sanderson. Again not for one second expecting you to suddenly drop your opinion as its a very valid one. Just that there's a lot of people who don't think he's up to championship level in midfield, but he's definitely up to championship level at RCB. I'd argue he could do a job in the Premier League at RCB for a lower team.
Still beaming from last night but why did Reading sit off us? They clearly didn't watch the Boro game. Don't think teams will try to let us have so much possession in the future. We didn't have a game like that in all of L1. Our players recently were clearly suited to a step up in class. Solid at the back, nice and tidy in midfield and 3 amazing goals without a striker.
You called it pre match Smug when you mentioned how many goals for/against Reading had, and that we could get at them which is exactly what we did, so well spotted that man.
Pretty sure these are opinions not facts You might be right, but might be he was getting used to this level so now that he has, he might be ok in midfield. But for now, absolutely happy with him playing at CB, and I'm sure he is happy with his performances there as well. Ballard is going to have to fight to get his place back, long may it continue
still cant believe how bad and passive reading were mind forget their good start. I can see them going down still.
Is this the first time in 4 and a bit seasons that no one has wanted to shoot the Referee. Didn't see the game but he's hardly had a brick thrown at him....metaphorically speaking of course. He must have had a good game then?
I watched an FA Trophy game the other night at the club I scout for, so I was sat with some coaches and club officials. Everybody was impressed with the opposition's 4. He had a great touch, great control, good range of passing. He definitely passed the eye test as he was clearly a very good player. His stats for that game would have been poor though as he was caught in possession several times (and eventually taken off). He wanted to play two touches all the time and our pressing was so good that he never got the time. The point I'm trying to make is that stats and the "eye test" don't always agree. That's why stats are used- to bring out the information that is missed by the eye. Fwiw, I think we have better midfielders than O'Nien but I wouldn't rule him out as an option if we needed him.
A big reason for Gooch’s current form is that he has O’Nein protecting him on the right of that defence. They are forming a really good partnership.
He did, aye. Thought another one of their players could have had a yellow for a studs down the leg tackle on Gooch, but otherwise let the game flow and played a few good advantages.
Couple of dodgy decisions, like their player escaping a yellow after a high tackle on Gooch. Other than that I thought he tended to let the game flow despite their lot trying to kick our players quite a bit.
I actually see Ballard's role long term as replacing Batth. Batth has been great but seems the kind who will pick up injuries. Hope Ballard is back before they start. O'Nien's aggressiveness and off the ball speed is so important at RCB and take a lot of the pressure of Gooch as @Daz says
