Looked like Pele for 15 mins on his debut and we loved him Was anonymous (and injured I hear you say) on his next games and no one on this board mentioned him My mate rated him MOM this week. He looked good 2nd half for sure Not sure what I think or indeed what you lot think yet? Would he get into our strongest 11 on what has been seen so far? My only worry was that for the first time this season we looked like getting out muscled first half and it wasn't all due to Carroll plus Joey's booking
Depends on what formation we intend using. He wouldn't offer the same threat going forward as Hoilett and hopefully Philips on the wing but would give solid protection to the fullback behind him when away from home. Has the engine to play centre mid but maybe not as good as Barton/Faurlin/Jenas. Think he would be a great wing back ahead of three centre backs. Always thought that would be Traore's best position as well. Think that O'Neil tends to drift inside all the time.
Oneil looks very solid but we are very strong in the Midfield ... in fact we have the strongest mid in the league by a country mile ... keeping healthy competition in there is vital. I have to say well done for Harold for that ... probably it Stephen doing it anyway
He certainly isnt a winger thats for sure. I lost count how many times Simpson looked up to pass to him on the right wing in the first half only to see him in the centre with Barton and Carrol. Simpson became increasingly frustrated and rightfully so. He was better 2nd half when moved inside and SWP came on in place of Bobby. Switched formation with SWP on the right wing (who had a great game BTW!) Is Oneil good enough for the first XI? Not for me. Is he a better option to have on the bench than JJ? 50/50.
In my opinion, O'Neill WAS man of the match. He had a very good second half and got the ball moving in all directions when others didn't seem to be doing it or were lofting it up with hit-and-hopes. And he was one of the few players in front of the back four to come out with much credit from the first half. In my opinion, he offered stability in that first half when there wasn't much. He did the kind of job that goes unnoticed.
Forgot who but someone on here made a good assumption on another thread, that Barton and O'Neil are trying to outdo each other ( to own the midfield ) which is a good thing for the club as a whole and we the fans.
Oneill wouldn't get in my first 11. However, I like him and always liked him when I saw him play for wet spam. He gives 100% and runs all game long. IMO though, we have better players in the midifeld area, which as Dave says, is very, very strong. Also, he certainly mustn't play out wide. He spent the whole of the first half v Brum inside, leaving us very unbalanced.
He clearly didn't get the memo saying that we were playing a rigid 4-4-2, but I do like his one-touch game and constant movement. He was available to receive the ball more than most, just not where everyone else was looking for him to be. I thought that Phillips showed similar tenancies to wander and so if they manage to do so in unison could work nicely.
