https://rokerreport.sbnation.com/2022/4/13/23022775/jay-matete-sunderlands-midfield-enforcer I love this lad, absolutely brilliant performance on Saturday and he looks a level above ONien imo
Yep, because he's been a treat for us since he signed. I enjoy changing names when im bored, helps pass the time .
Strange that we have not yet seen the best of O/9 this season, I thought he a Matete would make a formidable engine room, but so far they have not quite clicked, still time as both players have the requirements imo.
Looks a good one definitely. Seems to have faded a bit in the second half of a few games to me, but at his age that is nowt to worry about. He'll learn to pace himself a bit and get stronger. As for the onion. He has had his season badly curtailed which must have affected him, but we need him, and are a long way from not needing players like him. I haven't checked, but I'd guess that our record before his injury would have been pretty good, and we seem to be a fair bit better now he's back. More than that to it of course, but not irrelevant.
Why? Why a level above? He looks a great player most of the time and a bit raw at others. Comes with age. But onien has had a bigger impact on games than Matete for me. Goal recently and a big hand in the goal on Saturday. I love them both and don’t get why one has to be measured against the other
A level above in terms of where his career will end up compared to ONiens. I have nothing against ONien, i love his passion and work ethic, but despite still being very raw, Matete looks capable of playing at a much higher lever than League 1.
Hope you’re right mate. Onien is a great league one and probably a good championship player. Matete looks a good league one player and a great one at times but not consistent yet. Agree his career will probably go further as he’s a lot younger than onien.
Strangely O/9's best spell with us was playing in central defence alongside Dion Sanderson, they formed a great partnership and he was often MoM , I looked forward to him moving into his "favoured" position in central mid-field with anticipation. but so far has not quite looked at ease, it may be he is still finding his way back after a long painful injury, this can happen with the best of players, even so O/9 never lets the side down and on his day is one of our better players imo.
We have better options I think, he looks very raw and will get better with age and experience but I don’t think we can rely on him in our current situation. Handy from the bench when we are comfortable but I would never play him in the play offs for example.
That partnership was something else, and discovered entirely out of necessity. It does show though the value of players in partnership who will give it all for their mate. Centre halves, centre mids, centre forwards. I still think if you can find 3 partnerships through the middle of your side you will be some side. Stick a good keeper in behind and you are laughing.
I think Mattete has been and will be a super signing. He has that complete box to box game. When we lose possession his reactions are brilliant and he has been one of the reasons we have conceded less in that he wins the ball back and disrupts quickly, meaning we are much harder to counter, which was a major problem in the middle 3rd of the season. He can be a bit raw at times but who isnt at his age. Hs will learn and will play at a higher level I am sure, hopefully with us. The type of player I like to watch develop.
Could not agree more, patnerships are vital, out of curiosity I watch Sanderson every chance I get and to me he is also missing O/9. I was reminiscing about centre back partnerships that we saw too little of only yesterday and JoS and Wes Brown came up, they looked telepathic and so confident together, the game in which JoS clattered Diego Costa was a stand out, they bossed him at every turn, and he was no shrinking violet was Diego.
Where Alex Neil seems to be really good so far is picking players for certain jobs in games. I think he wanted Mattete in their on Saturday at Oxford becauss he knew they would have possession and want to break on us. Mattete seems to sense danger well and breaks up the opposition play. Against an MK Dons for example who are a very good footballing team with pace he would be in favour I think. Against say a Wycombe then probably not as they go back to front so quickly so O9 may be the amswer as he is better positionally and is good at getting in front of a target man and shielding the high ball. Whatever is the correct approach we look to me at least to have the best squad of players, and options from the bench in all our time in League 1, so we can probably expect all kinds of selections.
Wes Brown was a brilliant defender and was a great partmer for many. Just struggled with injuries. There were times you watched them olay together and they looked superb and both great decision makers. OShea didnt look the same without him, probably because he didnt have as much faith in anybidy else.
Yet he’s still scored one and had a big hand in one. Both goals resulting in winning the respective games. Agree with what you say mind
We’ll iirc Costa aimed a 2 footed studs first kick at JoS’s face after that tackle and got a “now now” from the ref and no more. He then went on to intentionally elbow Wes later in the same game for a yellow card! The press would’ve had a field day had Cattermole done either of those for us but, again from memory, they were just “well it’s in his nature “
Its a while back now , but I remember both JoS and Wes seemed to enjoy taking him on, and got the better of him. its a shame we did not see more of the pairing, but as has been said Wes had his fitness problems.
