https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/s...ike-dodds-praises-dan-neils-tactical-ability/ By Scott Wilson HE is regularly praised for his abilities on the ball, but Mike Dodds feels Sunderland midfielder Dan Neil deserves more credit for the way in which he has developed his tactical understanding of the game.... “Tactically, Dan Neil is unbelievable,” said Sunderland’s interim head coach, ahead of Saturday’s trip to West Brom. “I don’t think he gets the credit he deserves for that. “I ask him to execute something, and he’s almost like my voice on the pitch in terms of the tactical stuff. I’ve got nothing but praise for Dan.” “Riggy is a first-year scholar and I’ve just played him at Elland Road,” said the Sunderland boss. “You’ve got Jobe, who played alongside him, who is a second-year scholar. “We’ve got two youth-team players on the pitch. They execute the gameplan to a tee and do exactly what you ask. If we can refine both of them, and in particular Riggy, then we’ve got two wonderful players on our hands.”
I think that Neil learned a lot from watching and talking to Corey Evans. Evans read the game so well and always seemed to know where to be. Plenty of credit to the coaches as well, to be fair! Neil also seems to have learned how to simplify his play when the situation warrants it. That's something for Jobe and Rigg to improve on. Their ceiling is huge.
Emphasises the quality and potential we have in this squad. Highlighting Neil,Rigg,and Jobe and you can add half a dozen others at least into that mix. A couple of strong additions, an outstanding head coach and a bit of patience and our prospects look very bright imo.
I watched Dan Neil against Leeds and thought to myself he is now the complete player. I dont know how many tackles he made and won but it was immense. Positionally he was unreal and he was calling the tactical shots on the pitch, making sure the shape was spot on. All while knitting what possession we did have together. If he is here next season I would be amazed, but delighted, and I would argue for him to be made captain. I think he is tailor made though for a team like Liverpool or Spurs right now and they will be hard to resist. He is quite a rare talent.
****ing hell mate! I always enjoy your posts with interest,but don't broadcast stuff like this....keep it to yourself....it'll only alert these other teams!
Scout posted this on the match thread: Neil - who we were all raving about (and rightly so), won possession back 15 times (5 interceptions and 10 recoveries) and he won 62% of his duels (anything above 55% is very good for a CM), he only misplaced 5 passes all game as well and completed 60% of his dribbles. Always nice when the stats back up the eye test.
