Match Day Thread Sunderland AFC v Cardiff City FC– Sunday 24th September 2023 - KO 15:00

No,be honest,you only mention that match because he made a mistake. You won't find a defender in this league,or any other, who hasn't made a mistake at some time or another. Flawed argument.

 

The first 300 games of his career weren’t at CB. He’s not a natural CB is my point. He hasn’t picked up all of that experience, positional awareness, general defensive play throughout his youth career and then as a professional - he’s only just started at the age of 27 (apologies I thought it was 25 yesterday).

Of course you can argue he’s a CB because you think he plays better there than he did as a midfielder but he’s still played 85%+ of his career football as a midfielder.

I’m in no way furious at all, the clubs in a great position..? I can just point out that we didn’t sign a player in a position we required? Better go and put my bedsheets away I was planning a protest for Friday night!

 

He was a lower league CM, hes never been a proven championship CM that we are now using as a CB. His starting positioning is fine from CB, where he does need to improve is knowing when to be aggressive and when to stand off an opponent. He can be overly aggressive at time which did drags himself out of position - so needs to improve his decision making.

As i said im not his biggest fan and wont defend him like a mother would their child - as you would say. But he has been good this season, unfortunately he made 1 mistake on sunday and it was punished.

O9 is now regarded as a CB as hes played enough there now to classed as 1. Now whether you rate him as a CB or not is fine as thats your opinion but he is classed as a CB now whether you like it or not

Its not my opinion its TM opinion hence why he only uses him as a CB

Triantis n seelt arent ready from what ive seen, but thats fine as they are still young lads so no need to throw them in when ballard n o9 are playing well

Seelt was better in the u21 game last night imo, triantis is far too aggressive n over commits to tackles - what a touch on him tho, brought a couple of long balls down beautifully

 

There’s others in this thread who will back me up here - I’ve been vocal of O’nien since last season. As I’ve already stated, I’m not fickle. You won’t see me writing off players after watching them get off the team bus then changing my mind every other game about them.

I also stated I didn’t think Neil was as good as people made out last season.. something I’ll hold my hands up to and admit I was wrong because he’s been quality this season so far.

 

Neil really has been different class this season

Hopefully keeps kicking on, been a massive fan of his for years since seeing him play as a 16 yr old

 

Just my honest assessment

Not disputing that mate, but personally I would say they need more time and would be exposed in the first team as they still seem to be adapting to English football.

 

I've seen people become totally fixated before and it defies logic and reason. I've changed my views on players and so do most people. I lauded Evans when people were slating him but admit I was wrong about Dan Neil.

What you're doing is accusing people of totally defending O'Nien because he's obviously a nice bloke ...

... not on their assessment of games he's playing in.

That's insulting their intelligence tbh, they're not boy band fans.

People do criticise him, you choose to ignore that because it doesn't fit your agenda. You love to put yourself in the position of 'me against the world' ... which may explain your username, given to you by people around you I'd guess.

You're actually worse with Ba and openly seethe if anyone has a word against him

 

I wouldnt have a problem dropping either of them in TBH, I am not suggesting dropping anyone but if due to injury or suspension I think they will be fine (having said that I wouldnt want both of our current CBs missing and these 2 starting together)

 

I don’t seethe that people have a word against him, I seethe that people write players off after barely watching them though. Same with Hemir after 55 minutes or whatever against Ipswich. Same with Diallo last season when he was dragged off against Boro iirc.

I wanted Ba to get a chance and he’s looked good when he’s been given a run of games. We signed him from Le Havre who are one of Frances top academies, he plays for France U21’s and he came here highly rated and when you seen him coming off the bench you could see he’s not going to be ****e. Same with Aouchiche now he’s an exciting signing that I can’t wait to see more of and if people were to say oh he’s ****e cos he hasn’t scored in the 20 minutes of football he’s had I’d say the same.

 

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Being consistently wrong doesn't eventually make you right

 

Whats Seelt like? He looks like he’s built like a proper 6’4 bloke so i can’t imagine him being quick!

 

I'm sure they would be fine, like I said in my opinion they both need time to get used to English football and the speed of it. Also have to agree with others that both have a lovely first touch and are comfortable with the ball at their feet

 

Seelt looks OK, not slow at all but he did have some issues with the physical nature of the derby forward, as did Triantis.

 

That’s good then something that’s easily dealt with rather than being ****e on the ball which isn’t easy to rectify! Maybe a bit of nerves/not knowing what he can get away with here and getting bullied too easily?

 

I just hope that Dave Watson realises that he was absolutely useless for S.A.F.C. 'cos he was supposed to be a centre forward. Likewise with SKP, who was supposed to be a right back . . . . useless twats

 

You have to get used to the idea that Ba won't play every game and that the previous careers of players like Clarke and Roberts have nothing to do with what they're doing here.

You construct these complicated arguments, based on Roberts going out on loan or Clarke not settling at a previous club. It's all totally irrelevant.

I doubt Ba will start on Friday and that's because Mowbray, and lots of supporters, believe Roberts is more effective and consistent. Over the whole of last season he was one of our best players.

Leaving him out because 'Ba deserves a long run to try to prove himself' just isn't how football works in reality.

 

He was a unit mind, they had another player who was huge also, it reminded me of when I played rugby against Southmoor under 16s, before we started I said to our teacher, "Sir, are they allowed to play their dads in their team?"

 

Would say it was nerves, just a physical lad up front who used his strength to his advantage imo