Time will tell, perhaps I haven't moved with the times. Still think it's crazy money for a player who's only made 20 starts at Championship level in first team football (so was mainly an impact sub). Can't think there are many examples in history of a transfer like that. Still will be pleased to have him on board, although doesn't feel like it's strengthened us as he was here last season. Good to see it looks like we're trying to strengthen full back and bringing Omari in. For me RB was our biggest area of weakness last year (plus LB cover) and with Omari and Sarmiento only being loan players we suddenly look light in those attacking midfield spots. The question is which position do we think Omari will play in most?
I'd play him in the 10 role, and ler him roam wherever he wants. That's assuming Burns will be a starter
Ffs, Downs ain't good enough, dominate Morsy???? He gave Morsy a battle but wouldn't say he was even close to dominating him!! He's gone, he can't cut it in the Prem....as Elsa would say, Let it go!!
I wouldn't say he was used mostly as an impact sub. That's kind of how he started the season but was getting consistent starts at the back end of the campaign and was definitely a player that helped enormously during the final few weeks to get the promotion job done. Along with the 20 starts he also made 24 sub appearances which means he played in almost every league game. He's embedded in the team now and pretty much has a year's worth of experience in the McKenna way of playing. I hear what you're saying about the price versus experience but top clubs are sometimes spending this on academy teenagers to get them in the building before they're worth double that. After two seasons, Omari should be worth far more than what we're paying now.
I heard he was superb for Southampton last season. Their win percentage with him in the team was far better than when he was absent and he was runner up in their player of the season. Southampton look like they're prepared to swap Walker Peters plus cash for him, so can't be too bad.
Playing devil's advocate, he was a mainstay at the end of the Season but as you indicate he made more sub appearances than starting overall. Burns was injured at the end, so he was bound to come in and actually some of those games he was anonymous and our form was not great in that period. We really missed Burns and it was notable how much better we were with him back in the team although to be fair when Burns came in because some of Omari's performances were so good he moved others out of the team to accommodate on the left and in the 10. That is the good thing, he can play across the forward line, gives us lots of options and alternatives. What was clear to me however was whilst Omari, Broadhead and Chaplin are great players who have different qualities we still function in a similar way whoever is in those 10 and left-sided 10 positions and when Burns was missing we really missed him, that directness and ability to get in behind the defence creates more space and stretches teams none of the others do that. So for me I think Omari was most effective last season either coming on as an impact sub wide right or towards the end of the Season in one of the 10 positions.
Good points, ptc. You're right in saying Burns stretches teams. I'd say Omari still played best when out on the right side. Instead of getting behind, he cut inside but still made things happen. A different approach but there was still end results from both. Hutch started slow but I think his progression and impact on a match increased as the season wore on. It will be good to have him back in the team, I think it's money well spent. I'd say he gives us a better chance of getting PL results and is also a potential money maker should he do really well and attract bigger attention.
Walker peters struggled to get a start for a big part of the season, Downs isn't wanted by wet sham as deemed not good enough for the prem, so.... personally I wouldnt touch him with Nuggets!!
Can't remember it happening but was Burns ever tried on the left, could be great cutting in on his right peg
Ansu Fati is up for sale, he could do a job for us....provided he stay fit, I have watched him closely for years, think he could thrive under KM
Wasn't he supposed to be the next big thing out of Barcelona,.just like that lad we loaned in from villa...
Not sure it would work, might take away his strength which is directness and he can still cut in from the right and banana shot . I think he might have played there for Wales
Gaffer here again, sorry you have missed my erudite debating, but recently lost my young brother, always a shock. Regarding Omari we all love him and how he developed and thrived under McK. I am sure this turn out to be a great deal for a player nowhere near his ceiling. I think he was the stand out player in the Championship. He was unplayable. In my time some of our best signings were Paul Mariner, Marcus Stewart, and Finidi. My fave tho was Gio was the best loanee we ever had until Omari. I think he was comfortably the best player in the division by the end of last season. Just unplayable. Cant wait to see how he gets on.
