These are two very talented youngsters that I fear are slipping through the net. Whilst you are never going to get the same money for a defender or defensive midfielder that you would for a striker (Wickham), these are two lads who would potentially be capable of cutting it in the Premier League with Town in the future. It's no good signing a load of has beens and overlooking the potential that we already have at the club. It'll work in the Championship for a season but if we don't go up we will need more has beens next season. I will be gutted if O'Connor moves on - he's leagues ahead of Martin or Kennedy. And Hyam would get the nod ahead of Leadbitter from me week in, week out.
Amid all the frenzy of speculation about which players will be signed by PJ over the next few days and weeks I want to spare a thought for the forgotten man at Portman Road. Shane O'Connor in my view has been nothing short of a revelation in every game he has played for Town. A marauding full back who has got the pace and the guile to get forward and cause problems as well as the know how in his defensive duties. I just can't fathom out why O'Connor hasn't had a look in since PJ arrived. Obviously PJ knows his players better than we do and could be something to do perhaps with the young lads attitude in training but I find that hard to believe. Are we so blessed in young talent that we can let a decent full back go? Kennedy is knocking on and although we have just brought in young Cresswell surely O'Connor should be getting his chance. He didn't even make the trip over to Holland. Peters is another one that just doesn't seem to have a future anymore at Portman Road. We have a pretty threadbare squad of players at the club even with all the new signings and promised additions. I am happy with the direction that PJ is taking the club in but I do worry that losing O'Connor could well come back to haunt us later in the season. Come on PJ give Shane and Jamie a proper chance! If an offer came in for either of them would you be happy to lose them? I know I wouldn't be!
I'm not sure Jaime really has the quality to step up to the next level in the prem but he is certainly good enough for the championship. O'connor on the other hand seems technically very good and has all the qualities listed by JWM above. He really made the difference in THAT snow match and he likes to get forward, something most of the best full backs nowadays are known for. Would let Peters go for a decent amount but would be very unhappy to see Shane go. Hyam I think could spend the next year learning from Bowyer, play him in some cup matches and see how he progresses. We constantly have so many damn midfielders on our books that it's difficult to get them all on the field.
I think that was true in the past, but not now. Centre of the park is only really Leadbitter, Bowyer, Healy and Hyam unless I'm missing a trick? Left wing is Martin or Civelli and right wing is Carson. A long way from being an embarrassment of riches!
I really liked the look of what I saw from O'Connor, and would implore PJ to start him on the left! Think he's got cracking potential and, given time and the right guidance, could make the step up to the Premier League. Hyam and Peters are the same story for me. I rate them both, but I fear they may not be Town players for too much longer.
The thing is Peters has been at the club for quite a while and although he has the Fan's support for all his hard work he has never really made a position his. I'd like to see him stay but realistically he'll be bit part player at most. As for O'Connor, cant believe he hasn't been given more of a chance. I trust PJ but letting him go would be a mistake, I fear he would go elsewhere and be an absolute revelation. Hyam maybe needs a few months on loan in League one just to get some competitive game time but realistically he has the potential to be playing in there week in week out.
Hampy, seems you have conveniently forgotten to list Drury, Peters and Edwards. Carlos is not a recognised right back and if we bought one would become a midfielder again. ****, even Kennedy's listed as a midfielder on our website. Could possibly move Martin into the middle as I see him as more of a behind the front two type of player than a real winger. Don't know how we've done it but we've currently got no right back, three left footed left backs, two left footed centre backs and Ivar. We nearly have as many left footers as right in our squad, bet not too many teams can say that. p.s. I've got nothing against left footers or think it weakens us in any way.
PJ has said that he has now got the experienced players that he needs and now he wants to find some pace for the team and yet he already has that with O'Connor FFS! Him and Martin would be awesome down the left hand side.
I forgot Drury - but Edwards is our right back at the moment and Peters doesn't even register on the radar. Peters will never be a first XI player but he adds a buzz so id be using him as a squad player. Sadly I dont think Jewell had seen it because he was forced to play right back.
