O’Nien gets a look of flak and it’s unwarranted, very consistent, competent can defend, tackle and distribute. im convinced its a load of bias because he’s not very aesthetic on the ball despite what he can do with it either way it’s a good problem to have as we are loaded at centre back
Just the one and I have made it quite clear who it is for a very long time, in answer to your first question, we could then play Mep and Ballard together to see if it works as well as Mep and O/9 has. Personally I think O/9 could now cut it in a 3 man midfield others don't and we will probably never know..,
The problem with moving 09, is it would be analysed more than any other player who's ever played there and the slightest little thing jumped on. He's a quality championship centre back that can also cover both full back roles. He's two footed, decent in the air, not exactly slow amd gives everything on the pitch. It's bad enough the analysis when he's playing in the back 4 let alone if he was moved into midfield.
Poor old Alese, he got injured just as we were starting to see the best of him at centre back. He then gets fit and has to cover left back. His form at centre back at the start of the season should give RLB some big headaches as to who starts at CB when everyone is fit
The team spirit amongst all of our players is fantastic to see and a real credit to all involved at SAFC,
Not Hume IMO. Watching United tonight it was super frustrating when the ball went out wide left and you realised it was a fullback in the position. Hume would be similar. We’d endlessly be frustrated that he was the one getting free in wide areas.
Just read back and a couple of posts suggesting Patto is a stone overweight? Surely with all the science and data around these days if he was a stone overweight he wouldn't be starting games for us?
I thought Neil just grabbed the entire midfield, theirs and ours, by the scruff of the neck and took control. He stepped out well, but was still the best on the cover. That is his level though. It is why top clubs watch him. He needs to keep that level up of course, consistency is key for every player.
Can I just say, I didn't see today's game, but I want to weigh in on the centre back trio debate. I think Ballard is a worrier that needs comfort and love, O'Nien is a raging lunatic who will run through a brick wall for you, very positive...Mepham is cool, calm and collected. We are gifted in this position, I wonder if Le Bris thinks the old fashioned way of having Big Dan Ballard or feels that O'Nien is more reliable from a possession sense.
Regardless of who made it, I'm curious how he manages to play and the club let him whilst carrying a stone of extra weight. That's not a small amount
I said he LOOKS a stone overweight but it’s hard to see if it’s muscle or fat. My assumption is muscle. He’s definitely slowed down in his movement. Possibly just needs to find the right balance between strength and agility and I’m sure he working on it with the club. And I very much doubt it’s actually a stone. But the change in agility is marked.
This is something I heard a while ago. Sure I said it on here. Bob bas since mentioned it too. He definitely is top heavy and heavier now than he every has been. His ground reactions have slowed a bit IMO. It always depends on how much the form dips and with Patto is hasn't massively. That said, you look at Moore next to him it's chalk and cheese.
Interesting one. Personally I dont think 3 at the back is a formation for a sustainable attacking game. Think Scout disagrees, so all about opinions as always. With Cirkin and Hume we have lads who could maybe play wing back. Pace on Humes side would worry me. The real challene for us would be needing to sacrifice genuine width from Watson and Roberts. Where would Rigg play. For sure you would need Neil being the deeper of the midfield, you still need that lad to link defence and attack. I think you need a cf that comes to the ball and links up play in the middle. Connolly possibly an option. Overall I wouldnt go down that route. I think we have built to play 4132/ 4141or 4231. A back four with a holding player, or 2, linking everything is our way it seems.
With all the data and science at the club, surely if he was overweight or his agility was suffering the club wouldn't be allowing him to play?
Not sure it's that definitive mate. Data and science are a means to a result. If the result is not absolutely showing itself it's not going to be easy to justify a drop. Plus, he has high market value. Needs to play to maintain or increase this.
