One of my coaching techniques that. Never knew Shankly did it. I basically put bollards just inside the posts and the only way the striker can score is by knocking one over. Got it from watching Rush's goal in the cup final against Everton that sent the camera flying. Way too many kids I would see had never been given the fundamentals of knee and head ovet the ball when striking it. I used to say to them the best strikers pass it into the corner of the net, like they were passing into a teammates feet. I would argue Neil is the best passer of a ball we have, so his snatching at shots can only be a mental thing. One of the best I have seen at passing the ball into the net is Andy Cole. Ice in his veins they used to say about him.
I don't understand this thing with Neil. I remember a goal he scored at the SOL, early in his first team career, where he let the ball run across him ... ... he just clipped it and it flew in. I thought 'great, that was just so easy he'll score loads like that'. There's something wrong now, I blame the coaches. As for passing, I'd agree. I'll get stick for this but ... the best long distance passers, in the team, are Hume and O'Nien. Some of the diagonals, to the wings, are phenomenal and often overlooked. I've also noticed, recently, that O'Nien has licence to just run out of defence and put a ball through the lines to Jobe or the front players ... ... he's having the time of his life isn't he, even the odd goal.
saw a video of 'dans passing' from the oxford game, now i have said i could see he was improving lately and starting to enjoy his role/position this season but i was surprised watching that video how much he did in that game...seems a few are missing a lot of what he does and i am holding my hands up at that.
I would hazard a guess Neil isnt too involved in the finishing drills. I would bet that is Rigg, Jobe, Roberts, Mundle, Watson, Poveda etc, and the strikers and lads like Adil. While they are doing that then the likes of Neil, Samed, Defenders will be doing defensive shape work, delay work etc. Maybe not all the time but I would expect to see the really attacking players doing quitr a bit of sharp finishing routines.
Anyway, enjoyed the chit chat about Neil. I know I am too defensive of him, and I love him as a player too much. Good to hear others perspective. In match day threads I can be a bit too emotive. I know everyone on hear is after the same thing and I respect everyone even if we dont agree all the time. I bet we all want to see Dan lift the championship trophy at the end of the season. Why not, we are the team to catch right now.
@SkySports_Keith Sunderland striker Wilson Isidor says he models his game — and his goal celebrations — on legendary striker Thierry Henry: ️ “I’m the biggest fan of Thierry Henry so that’s why I wanted to celebrate like that (goal vs Oxford). Is it a goal Thierry would have been proud of? I think so! “The #SAFC fans come up to me in the street and say ‘you’re really good and we appreciate the way you play.’ This gives me a lot of confidence. “It’s why I’m so involved with the team & it’s why I think I’ve found my family here. I’m playing freely & with a smile - that’s what’s making the difference.” ⚪️ @IsidorWilson
Has to be the loan signing with the biggest instant connection with the fans. Hoping he manages to score/achieve more than Amad too.
I watched the game on Sunday night, Neil was wonderful. Not to take too much away from him, but Oxford were so bad, we really could've won by a lot more. We played better in the first half against Sheff Wed, because they actually threatened but we put them under pressure with great pressing, then quick passing and precision finishing. On Neil and shooting, he's not a bad finisher, but he doesn't strike well from outside the box.
@SkySports_Keith Sunderland striker Wilson Isidor says he models his game — and his goal celebrations — on legendary striker Thierry Henry: ️ “I’m the biggest fan of Thierry Henry so that’s why I wanted to celebrate like that (goal vs Oxford). Is it a goal Thierry would have been proud of? I think so! “The #SAFC fans come up to me in the street and say ‘you’re really good and we appreciate the way you play.’ This gives me a lot of confidence. “It’s why I’m so involved with the team & it’s why I think I’ve found my family here. I’m playing freely & with a smile - that’s what’s making the difference.” ⚪️ @IsidorWilson
Im with you on defending Neil hes a key player and where he plays, means any errors can be deadly for us ,my concern with him his is mouth … gets far too aggressive with refs and it needs to be hammered out of him ..
Think you might find a loud mouth, when we think we've been wronged, is a characteristic of us from this area. He's an intelligent lad....he'll get to grips with it.
it most definately is a characteristic, but this is a sport field and understanding that the ref has all the cards (literally ) and how you speak to them is a core skill of a captain ..
@SkySports_Keith Injury news #SAFC: GK Patterson hadn’t trained & is missing again for QPR but has a chance of being back for Preston next midweek. ⚪️ Mayenda fit & available again. Ballard back in training tomorrow, and as such is very close to fully joining the group.
Brilliant video Wayne, cheers for posting. Dan Neil detractors should watch it. Watching stuff like that makes me realise why I worked in the jobs I did and was never involved in pro football.
