The premier league is full of the best players in the world. The championship and league 1 have none.
yeh don’t get me wrong I wouldn’t want him as a starting centre back there in an ideal world. But think he could do a job as backup. and my overwhelming feeling is that he’s proved me wrong pretty much every time I’ve doubted him and I’d ****ing love to see him leading us out in the premier league
Maybe not but people said that about league one to championship regarding O'Nien and he made the step up no problem. Some players develop a bit later in their careers and the way he's playing this season makes me think he's one of them. He's had issues with his mental health which he's only overcome recently so maybe he's a late bloomer. The lad can defend and play football and most teams in the prem like at least one CB who can play it out.
O’Nien was actually expected to be a far bigger prospect when he was at Watford, so maybe there is a ‘late bloomer’ thing there. He was really highly regarded there and something didn’t quite work out for him and he only paid a couple games. I still keep saying I’m not sure he’s a long term solution, but as is being said he just rams it in my face regular. It’s not like I don’t love the lad and his enthusiasm and commitment to the club so I’m gonna try get out of this cycle.
Absolutely this. I reckon, if it was Ballard and Blackburn left on the pitch now, they still wouldn’t score!!!
There were enough fans saying that he was not good enough for the Championship but he soon proved them wrong so will not count him out just yet
Everyone is forgetting that O'Nien is also part time Hasselhoff, wading into the sea and saving dogs! Glad he signed that deat incase he makes it! He is looking excellent at CB but think it helps having Ballard next to him who is genuinely Premiership quality right now. He prevented us going behind so many times last night it was ridiculous. Ballard was man of the match easily!
Really ?? Full of the best players in the world ?? there are some great teams in Prem with world class players but there are also some journey men who would struggle in Championship. World class players often come from lower leagues or develop whilst on loan to lower leagues. Southampton were recently tipped to win the league ahead of Leicester but do not look world class. Some players will step up to the challenge and some players wont , I think we have a squad who are developing quickly and who knows what they will be capable of but the journey with them will be fun.
He really is an outstanding talent. I really hope we go up this season because it may become impossible to keep him if we don't
He seems to revel in the more senior role he has in the squad,in the Captaincy and in the coaching he's getting. As far as improvement in a player goes,he's right up there....he's developed into a quality centre back in this system this season,although last night he was all over the pitch at times. He definately loves us and feels he belongs,and he's our next kevin Ball! I love the lad.
Southampton have been relegated which proves they are not good enough for the premier league and have also sold their best players, so are hardly going to be world class? The premier league is the best league in the world, there is no doubt about that. The championship is probably around the 8th-9th best league in the world. So there’s a huge step up for all of our players.
I thought he would be good enough for the championship, and I rate him highly in the championship. The premier league is a whole different kettle of fish. Just ask Luton town who we only managed to beat once in 4 attempts last season.
Yes the Premier league is the best in the world I don't disagree but to state that some players are not good enough for the prem is a hard metric to judge as players can be excellent in championship and not so good at prem level then you get players who come through like Jamie Vardy who excel. Like I say hard to judge, will 09 be good enough I don't know as his improvements over the last 2 years has been very good, has he reached a ceiling again I don't know. As for other players we have young and hungry players who look on the face of it like they will improve and rise to the challenges in front of them, some might shine and some might fail but that is football. Sometimes the best players struggle with steps in class like playing international football but ordinary looking players can seem to make the step without it affecting their game too much. Maybe it's the pressure or the mental side of the game that stops some or maybe it's ego or something else but some make it and some don't.
What specifically makes you think that? As in what are the weaknesses in his game that would make him vastly more vulnerable to prem players than championship players.
Mine are: 1. He can be very rash, dives in and gives penalties and free kicks away. It’s an extra 2-3 yards quicker in the premier league which would make him much more vulnerable to get caught diving in. 2. His height, which affects his ability in the air. He’s decent in the air for his height, but would get outdone at set pieces against premier league big defenders. 3. His speed. 4. Hes not a natural CB, he doesn’t always think like one. That all being said, I rate him massively at league 1 and championship level. I’m thankful for everything he’s given for Sunderland and I’d absolutely love him to prove me wrong.
