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Sunderland: Staunch defence of Leeds United loanee Joe Gelhardt

Discussion in 'Sunderland' started by Robertson, Mar 23, 2023.

  1. Robertson

    Robertson Well-Known Member

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    https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/s...ce-leeds-united-loanee-joe-gelhardt/?ref=ebls

    LUKE O'Nien has mounted a staunch defence of "brilliant" Joe Gelhardt, who he says deserves more credit for his role at Sunderland since joining from Leeds United.

    The Black Cats beat several of their Championship rivals to the January loan capture of Gelhardt and boss Tony Mowbray was excited about the potential of pairing the youngster with star striker Ross Stewart.

    But Stewart's season-ending injury and Sunderland's failure to replace him in the final stages of the window left Gelhardt as the only recognised frontman in Mowbray's squad - meaning the 20-year-old has to play a different role to the one initially envisaged by the head coach.

    Gelhardt has only managed one goal in his 10 appearances so far, but O'Nien says the young striker deserves praise.

    "I think a lot more credit has got to go to Joffy, I think he’s brilliant, especially in the last three, four, five games," said the 28-year-old.

    "OK, strikers are judged on goals but he brings way more than that. I think he’s been brilliant.

    "I watch him, even when I play I watch him, his body position, the way he’s willing to receive it. You have to remember he’s isolated, the way we are playing we’re not as close to the goal maybe when you are playing off a big guy. We are further away from goal so he has to graft harder, he’s got to get the ball and hold it up.

    "Me personally, I’m a big fan of him. I think he’s brilliant. The goals will come for him.

    "We have to work harder to dominate the ball further up the pitch so he’s closer to the goal because he’s doing so much work from deep.

    "I know a few people give him stick saying he’s not scoring but they can come to me and argue that because I think he’s brilliant."

    Gelhardt has Premier League experience but is still a young player, one of many in Sunderland's first team ranks. And O'Nien, one of the more experienced campaigners in the squad, has been blown away by the way the youngsters have dealt with the expectations that come with playing for the Black Cats.

    He says: "We are in the top half of the Championship, we have young players making their introduction on a big stage, like one of the biggest stages in England and in football.

    "Not many people have the privilege of playing in front of 35,000 people. To make your entrance on a stage like this, I don’t think people appreciate how hard that is. I did it with more than 100 league games under my belt and struggled.

    "These kids are coming in without that experience and sometimes stepping out is a win for them. They are going to learn and develop.

    "Take Abdoullah Ba for example, the other day he gave the ball away a couple of times and then got an assist. That is some character to do that. He is only going to grow.

    "Edouard Michut is putting in some really good performances and he has come a long way. These are their first starts in the Football League and you have got to remember how difficult that is.

    "I look at that and say fair play to them. That’s some character to step out and do what they are doing when the judgement is high and there is a lot of pressure.

    "I look at those guys and hope they carry on playing, developing, learning and making mistakes. That’s how you learn."
     
    #1
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  2. Billy Batts

    Billy Batts Well-Known Member

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    Well said Luke.
     
    #2
  3. cumbrianmackem

    cumbrianmackem Well-Known Member

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    Talks a lot of sense does Luke.
     
    #3
  4. clockstander

    clockstander Well-Known Member

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    O/9 is so under valued. He has shown great character and ability in a number of positions, always in the thick of it for the full 90 minutes he is on the pitch. On another thread Batth and Ballard are referred to as our best centre back pairing since Kone and Kaboul, I would say Sanderson and O/9 were not far from those pairings either, add to that he is great cover for any position at the back, and I still think he has all the qualities for any mid field role, and would not be surprised if we saw him alongside Joffy up front before long. If only we had another couple of O/9's .
     
    #4
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  5. John Wick

    John Wick Well-Known Member

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    Not really sure why O'Nein feels he needs to come out with any of this. Unless it's bits he's read online, I haven't known of any "stick".
     
    #5
  6. rooch 3

    rooch 3 Well-Known Member

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    I have, just read the posts after nearly every match.
     
    #6
  7. Billy Batts

    Billy Batts Well-Known Member

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    There was about 4 separate threads on the first page of SMB Saturday about him. It's ridiculous.
     
    #7
  8. John Wick

    John Wick Well-Known Member

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    Well it's clear luke must do aswell, I've heard nothing in the stands
     
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  9. John Wick

    John Wick Well-Known Member

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    Don't go on there mate. I've just said above luke must look on forums.
     
    #9
  10. Teessidemackem

    Teessidemackem Well-Known Member

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    We only say what we see its a football forum ffs, and unfortunately from what i see the lad just doesnt look a good fit for us and is clearly struggling. (My personal opinion).

    Booing him at a game would be taking things abit too far, but we come on here to share our thoughts. Im not sure why some people need to get so defensive about players on here if they dont agree to another posters negativity. Its all about opinions which keeps places like this ticking over.
     
    #10

  11. SAFCDRUM

    SAFCDRUM Well-Known Member

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    I'd rather people vent on here than at the match. No harm done. Unless he reads it and gets upset. <laugh>
     
    #11
  12. Teessidemackem

    Teessidemackem Well-Known Member

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    Yes personally abusing him would be very harsh and i would not condone anybody doing that at a match where he could possibly hear.
    Just being honest on here is fine though, im sure most players avoid football forums.
     
    #12
  13. SAFCDRUM

    SAFCDRUM Well-Known Member

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    They should do, the sensative souls.
     
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  14. Gordon Armstrong

    Gordon Armstrong Just another S.A.F.C. fan
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    That's a sign of the way that our attitudes have changed since the KLD revolution . . . . as far as I'm aware, nobody (not even a single person) has booed Gelhardt, despite his 'not very good' performances :emoticon-0100-smile

    That's a massive change, which must help players to settle :emoticon-0148-yes:
     
    #14
  15. Teessidemackem

    Teessidemackem Well-Known Member

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    He got a very low match rating in the local press after last Saturday which is why Onien probably thought he should speak out in defence for him
     
    #15
  16. rooch 3

    rooch 3 Well-Known Member

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    Aye, but it’s the same as sticking any other player in that position who doesn’t play there and then saying he’s crap, not the lad’s fault in any way, beyond me how any fan can’t see that.
     
    #16
  17. Teessidemackem

    Teessidemackem Well-Known Member

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    Hes played as a lone striker numerous times though mate, its only become apparent that hes more suited playing off a main striker from his performaces for us.
    Coming in and replacing Stewart was never going to be easy for the lad, and i do feel for him but im still going to be honest and say what i think about his performances, because im a Sunderland fan at the end of the day and if we have a player thats not performing ill speak up on here.

    Its been a bad transfer for all parties really, him, us and Leeds.
     
    #17
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  18. Nacho

    Nacho Well-Known Member

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    Agreed there's nothing wrong with criticising them on here, if there are any players reading this forum getting offended that's on them. I doubt there is like, more likely O'Nien meant Twitter and stuff like that.
     
    #18
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  19. Flash Gordon

    Flash Gordon Well-Known Member

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    It's brilliant from O'Nien, proper captain's behaviour.

    I don't agree that Gelhardt has been fantastic, but that's not the point. I think younger players are more interactive with social media than ever before and Gelhardt will have seen criticism from fans on Twitter etc which may be knocking his confidence a bit. O'Nien has seen this and taken the opportunity to boost his confidence by talking positively about his contribution.

    It's just another reason to love O'Nien. He raises the morale of everyone at this club all by himself.
     
    #19
  20. Teessidemackem

    Teessidemackem Well-Known Member

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