Feel sorry for him, if he doesn't get any minutes during AFCON I think he'll be off, a club legend in my eyes, saw through the worst of times right through to now.
I dont. He's now 31. He's getting paid alot of money, he's idolised by most of the fans and he probably expected to lose his place if we got promoted to the Premier League. He's smashed through more glass ceilings than even he would have ever imagined and even sitting on a Premier League bench and, I suspect, would have been far beyond his wildest dreams before he signed for us. And like you say, a club legend who helped drag us through the worst times and can now possibly bow out at one of the clubs highest peaks of recent times. Mission accomplished.
Depending who and what positions we sign in January he might not even make the bench after, same with Dan Neil. And definitely not after the summer window. They’ve both done brilliantly to get us where we are now but for me sentiment goes out of the window. Our signings are a level or two above both of them.
Be a shame if he doesn't get to play at Premier League level at least once, he has played at all the other levels in the league pyramid.
Exactly how I feel about him , I cant see any reason why we cant get him on the pitch at least once this season, he deserves it , then give him a testimonial , and then maybe offer him a role at youth team level , he is perfect for such a role imo.
We've seen with the likes of Roberts and Browne that we don't keep players if we've no intention of playing them, let alone hand them two years more money. It was regularly claimed that Ballard wouldn't make a PL player, same goes for Hume and, to an extent Le Fée, Mundle, Isidor and Mayenda. Only recently we've had people writing off Traore. I'd imagine there were people in all of those camps who disagreed with RLB and would've peddled them all and hoyed O'Nien in for good measure. Thankully we have a club who don't make endless kneejerk decisions as some supporters do ... ... I've no doubt some would have said Brobbey 'will never make a PL player'. Perhaps they're right but their track record isn't too great tbh and O'Nien has proved people wrong time and time again.
I dont think he'll be away this season. Cant see him wanting to leave, dropping a division and a drop in wages, and he's probably still enjoying himself, knowing him. And I cant see the club being in a hurry to push him out because they'll think he's a useful squad player. I can see him getting a few minutes nearer the end of the season when we are sitting safe in mid table (hopefully).
I think that O9 will get minutes this season and that when he does he will have earned the right to play through his application in training. I agree sentiment has little place in the modern premier league, but the club wishes to be seen to be fair to players. That applies to minutes played, but also allowing them to move on at the appropriate time. I am quite happy to let the club do what they think is right.
We've an excellent chance of an FA Cup final, Luke would be a great figure to base it on … … we have a very good squad with goals in it, just what you need in a cup competition.
Given we're almost maxed out on foreign lads for next season already, we really need homegrown players to fill out the squad. Perhaps there's a question about whether or not O'Nien can contribute, but it isn't as easy as just waving goodbye to him.
He looked made up when he came on - bless him! I hope he gets an outing at Man City on Saturday as well.
Last night, one of my dreams came true. For years, I’ve dreamed about playing in the Premier League. Some people laughed at me. Some coaches I had when I was little said I’d never make it. Lots of people told me I wasn’t good enough and to give up. But I’ve always held onto that dream of playing at the highest level. Deep down I believed that if I just kept working, kept learning, kept showing up every single day, then one day it might happen. Last night, that dream that 4 year old me had….came true. And if you’d told me I’d make my debut at left wing, up against my mate Mo Salah, I’d have laughed as well. From non league in 2014, to being released by Watford in 2015… there were moments where it felt like this day might never come. Sunderland, you’ve been my home for seven years. I never knew I could fall in love with a club, a city, and its people the way I have. You’ve given me space to grow, to fail, to learn, and to find out who I am as a player and a person. To play even a small part in rebuilding this beautiful club and helping it climb back to where it belongs is something I’ll always be proud of. Making my Premier League debut… I’m incredibly grateful. Taking a moment afterwards to stand with my mum and dad and breathe it all in… that was special. But that debut chapter is written now. The focus is on pushing on, improving, growing, and helping drive this club forward with this unbelievable group of players. Seven years ago we were in League One. Fast forward to last night and we have a team giving everything, disappointed to only get one point against the Premier League champions. If that’s not a moment to stop, reflect, and feel proud, I don’t know what is. Thank you to everyone who’s been part of this journey; my family, my friends, the staff, the supporters, and my teammates. It’s just the beginning ❤️
Hope he sticks around and makes plenty more appearances to be honest. I rate him highly enough to think he has a part to play in setting the pace in training and putting in a captain's effort when he makes a sub appearance or the odd start in the cups. I have absolutely no qualms about seeing this man in red and white.
I'm nearly certain that he'll end up on the club leadership group. He loves it here, he's already involved talking to the younger players and his work on player mental health etc
