Haaland causes most centre backs problems, one of the best strikers on the planet, we only play against him twice and those 2 results wont define our season imo
Truestory mate, onien in the Prem is a scarey thought though. Even when you look at teams like Palace with Matete upfront or Newcastle Isak. We we really need a big strong fast CB to play next to Ballard who will also have to adapt massively
I reckon a handful of appearances early on then a championship loan. unfortunately he won’t cope with the pace and guile of premier league strikers imho.
I've gone for 20+ including substitutions, mostly to strengthen the back four as and when when required, I think he will surprise the doubters and do us proud, the boy is a gem and clever enough to adapt his game to suit the occasion imo.
It's hard to say, he's certainly capable of surprising people though. I wouldn't be worried about him being a liability giving away penalties all the time, he's an intelligent lad and will modify his game. All we have to go on really is the cup game against Newcastle and he was one of the few players, certainly the only defender, to look comfortable and not make mistakes.
I feel that part of his game makes him the player he is. What does he gain in taking those parts out? If those could be modified to make him a better player, then why has he not already? I know O9 is a touchy subject when questioned, but I feel he’ll be massively exposed in the coming season.
People are blinkered by the fact he’s a character and a nice lad. He’s another Nosworthy for me, loved by the fans but unfortunately won’t be to the standard we need.
He's always pushed the limits of what he can get away with and done it well, now there's VAR those limits are completely different. I'm saying he'll cut the nonsense out now, he doesn't need to do it, it's just been a free bonus up to this point. In the few games we have had with VAR he's played well and not put a foot wrong. There's a lot more to his game than shirt tugging.
It's a fine line, I think being a player that connects with the supporters has value in a different way to having a player who can make a big difference on the pitch. If offered 11 mercenaries who are very good footballers vs. 11 good lads who are perhaps not quite as good, it's a tough choice and most will want a blend, or have their cake and eat it. I like LON, I agree I wouldn't want him as starting CB for the whole season, but I like him enough that I hope the club gives him a chance to prove himself to rise to the occasion.
Agree 100%, he deserves his chance of course, I just wouldn’t want to put our eggs in one basket as I’m massively sceptical he can make this step up.
The only ones I can think of was against the Mags, which he was awful in, and the final he didn’t really play in.
I’ve said before about that game. Every player was awful. Some were more awful than others. That doesn’t mean that they are bad players or that they played badly in that game. It means that on the day we were a mid table Championship team, managed by someone whose tactics and game plan were woefully inadequate against a top end EPL team. In short the players were doing what they were instructed to do. If O’Nein were to play against Newcastle next season and I sincerely hope he does, then the coaching and tactics will be a million miles away in the right direction from the last time.
Agree with your general point but I do maintain that he was one of the very few who acquitted himself well in that game. Ballard did ok up to a point but it went tits up for him towards the end. I think the only other player to come out with any credit was Ba.
