I would love to see an 09 mural somewhere around Sunderland, it would be a fitting tribute to the lad, who has become a club legend through hard graft.
I remember a picture of him in full kit in the stadium just after he signed for us. You could see he was genuinely delighted at the prospect of playing for us. A refreshing change after the disinterested mercenaries of the preceding years. Might not be the best footballer ever to have played for us but you can just see how immensely proud he is to be a Sunderland player.
People seem to think its compulsory to say this when complimenting Luke, but, but, football's a team game, O9's influence on the team can't - I don't think anyway - be emphasised enough. On a list of Most Valuable Players (apologies for a yankism sneaking in), he'd be very near the top.
He's also more talented than he gets credit for. How many players do we have who can accurately play long balls out to either wing from either foot? His passing accuracy in general is very good and he always makes good use of possession and never gives it away. The lad can play any position that's got to speak to his footballing intelligence. Speaking of which he's our number one player for both blocks and interceptions which indicates his ability to read the game otherwise he wouldn't be in the right place to do either. He's not a journeyman player with a great attitude there's way more to his game than that.
Have all of my likes mate! He was an ordinary footballer with great motivation, fitness and resilience and has somehow turned himself into a poor mans Baresi! It's amazing how much he's improved in a couple of years, not sure how to be honest
I think it's to do with what he's said about mastering the mental side of the game which he's only managed to do relatively recently. Before that he'd try his heart out but he wasn't fulfilling his potential. He had to allow himself to believe that he genuinely does have ability before he could really kick on and become the player he is now.
Must be mate but usually you can see the raw talent and other things aren't quite there but with Onion he didn't look like a good passer of the ball or two footed or lots of other things. If he can make that happen with his head fair play to him. I know he's big on that stuff and sure there's a bit of practice too mind Anyway total respect because most can't/don't/never will suddenly find talent as a footballer at his age and he has, legend!
It is unusual to have a sort of mid career renaissance like he has. Just goes to show how important the mental side of the game is for some (most probably) players, fair play to him for shining a light on it and helping others with it especially young lads.
I think he tried hard to play in the team, failed and it messed up his confidence and self belief. By recognising this problem he was able to work on that. He also identified what else he physically could do to improve his game and doubled down on that. This helped him fight back into the team, but then he encountered other psychological issues relating to red cards and injury which he used a similar approach to overcome and improve his play. Added to this is his buoyant, effusive character added to his humble nature, which makes him so likeable. I know he has a side hustle business offering this sort of support to others but I hope the club manage to keep hold of him and employ him as a full time psychological/motivation coach plus club ambassador. People like him are few and far between so, although he has been a great servant on the pitch, I think his greatest service to SAFC could be post-retirement. Having Luke at the club is one of the few positives to come out of our our League One years because I doubt SAFC would have bought him otherwise.
I think he wants to move into coaching when he retires, that'd be a great way to keep him on at the club in a hands on role.
To be able to play so many positions on a pitch at that level makes you a good footballer in itself. He’s been a massive part in our uprising and I hope he continues to improve and play in the premier league with us. I’m not sure wether he’s a club legend just yet, but a promotion to the premier at some point would insure that.
