If he was starting consistently. I don’t think starting the odd league game is a problem, he’s adapted his game year in year. He’s a solid championship defender so I’d back him to have the odd good game at prem level and push himself to improve
Would never sell Luke til the day he asks to leave. He will fight his arse off to try and get games. He looked in absolute peak condition on them first day pre season videos in unreal shape.
Aye. But I can very much see a world where we get an option to get a £50m player and the top team work out how to make it pay. Ease off on backup options, trust a Browne to play a role, and put that extra money into something that moves the first team needle. The idea we need two players for every position can easily be tweaked with a bit of trust in and Alese, ONien or Browne.
Refuse to even consider selling him. I love him. He’s continuously improved, and would love him to be a squad option this season. Think people underestimate his range of passing too. It’s very good.
Feel like it's a pointless excersize in whatever fee and wages saved would be negligible and he would better off around the place, won't kick up a fuss if he's out of the team no reason to get rid and is more than useful to a squad
I'm of the opinion on O9..the lad loves playing..for him to play a bit part is not fair on him. If he has the chance of regular first team football elsewhere, he should take it... He will always be a legend at Sunderland, nothing will ever change that..but I would hate for his career to fade away at Sunderland not playing
I am quite open about sentimentality having a place in football. I am of an age, but if you cant get attached to players what is the actual point? More so we need attachment with players who have an attachment to us as Sunderland people. Otherwise we might as well be a franchise operation. Irrespective of that I bet ONien makes 25 league appearances this season. Players like him have something many better technical players dont have. An elite mentality. The brain is the most important asset any footballer has, and he has a really determined one. We were told when he signed, by his personal trainer, he will dominate his opponents mentally and never back down. I can think of more the one Premier league striker who will throw their toys out of the pram because he isnt an easy target.
Keep all day long, I think he's got a huge part to play this season - i still think he might sirprise a few people this season
Said a few times already I’d be giving him a decent contract this summer. Nothing daft but at least doubling his wage, I’m sure he’s only on about £5k a week. He’s not good enough to start in the PL imo, then again i said he wasn’t good enough last season and he proved me wrong.. Invaluable squad player though and a great lad to have around.
I never want O9 to leave. And I can’t imagine he’ll ever want to leave. He offers way more than just his ability on the pitch.
Onein shouldnt even be a consideration to sell imo. He will have a lot to contribute (maybe more in the dressing room) but will defo start some games and be important off the bench in others if we are hanging on. Not saying he shouldnt be upgraded btw. For me, I think the lads just a good footballer. People think of his background, him being a midfielder, being short and not that quick so doesnt look like a centre back, but it irritates me at times because the lad was overall excellent last season and was in the top 5 players of the season imo. Our defensive record was pretty solid, Alese and Ballard couldnt stay fit, and Mepthams form dropped, Onien had some off days but was rock solid pretty much the whole way through. He was also the main point of starting attacks under RLB and you could see the impact in the first 30 minutes of the final when he went off and RLB realised he had to switch Ballard and Meptham for us to get a foothold. If we stay up, I do think this will be his last year here though. But imo he's done enough to get a testimonial at Sunderland and if he got one, I would absolutely be attending. One of a very few bright lights during the worst period in our history was the signing of Luke Onien. I really look forward to seeing him wear our shirt with a Premier League badge on it.
The way he was holding his arm it looks like he has a way to go with his shoulder injury before being back to full fitness.
The club should keep him all day long. I'd be happy if we kept paying his wage just to run up and down the touchline with his arm in a sling.
Matheus Nunes. Loads of Premier League experience, played out of position since Nico arrived. Also a massive lads fan weirdly.
Do i think we have enquired about a player who would be quoted at 50m yes Do I think we will pay that? No But not for being tight just for the fact we will probably see better value somewhere else