33 | Nico O'Reilly - 2025/26

borassic said:
Has to play in midfield eventually
Click to expand...
Genuinely why?

At left-back he adds height to the side, he has space to exploit with his pace and physicality, he gets into goalscoring positions, has great delivery from out wide, his defending is improving and he can push into midfield anyway if required.
 
pee dubya said:
Genuinely why?

At left-back he adds height to the side, he has space to exploit with his pace and physicality, he gets into goalscoring positions, has great delivery from out wide, his defending is improving and he can push into midfield anyway if required.
Click to expand...
Yeah I struggle with these takes tbh.

It feels like old thinking, like well he is a midfielder and is playing well at LB so he will be a future midfielder.

Like that logic doesn't really hold, but yes I can definitely see him play in midfield for sure.

But the modern game for the top teams both tactically and physically is all about how the coaches are using their fullbacks (Pep, Flick, Arteta, Kompany , Maresca)

This is where some games are being decided, how well you can use your fullbacks to frustrate the opposition by getting an extra man.

If O Reilly is as good as we all think, then LB is literally perfectly for him and Pep for tactical flexibility.
 
WallyA said:
Yeah I struggle with these takes tbh.

It feels like old thinking, like well he is a midfielder and is playing well at LB so he will be a future midfielder.

Like that logic doesn't really hold, but yes I can definitely see him play in midfield for sure.

But the modern game for the top teams both tactically and physically is all about how the coaches are using their fullbacks (Pep, Flick, Arteta, Kompany , Maresca)

This is where some games are being decided, how well you can use your fullbacks to frustrate the opposition by getting an extra man.

If O Reilly is as good as we all think, then LB is literally perfectly for him and Pep for tactical flexibility.
Click to expand...

If we don't sign anyone in January I think the oreily in midfield conversation has merit. At the moment Nico G is on his own with a bit of help from an aging Bernardo. Rodri is unknown ATM. Reijnders looks miles off it. Kovqcic is injured and unlikely to play for us again.

We bought ait nouri for a big fee and he's played left back well enough in the league. When he's back if like to see more rotation with NIco O to get him settled and protect Nico's fitness, but if we don't sign a midfielder he might be needed there whilst RAN fills in at LB.
 
mdj0520 said:
If we don't sign anyone in January I think the oreily in midfield conversation has merit. At the moment Nico G is on his own with a bit of help from an aging Bernardo. Rodri is unknown ATM. Reijnders looks miles off it. Kovqcic is injured and unlikely to play for us again.

We bought ait nouri for a big fee and he's played left back well enough in the league. When he's back if like to see more rotation with NIco O to get him settled and protect Nico's fitness, but if we don't sign a midfielder he might be needed there whilst RAN fills in at LB.
Click to expand...
That all sounds good, but here is the problem.

RAN is now gone for a month, meaning O Reilly is the only genuine LB.

Even when he comes back, as we have already seen, O Reilly has simply eclipsed RAN as a left back due to his physical profile.

I don't want to turn O Reilly into Nick GS backup if it means our LB is weaker.

The far more sensible and easy solution is to buy a LB (allow O Reilly to go middle) or buy a midfielder (keep O Reilly at LB).

I've not been too impressed by the LB options in the market whereas I've seen some good midfield options.
 
Axel Freed said:
What a find this lad is, the mental stamina needed to play two tough away games in the space of a few days isn't often found in defenders as young as him.
Click to expand...
Good point. When you listen to him speak, and you listen to his mum speak, it is very obvious to me that his humility will stand him in great stead. Add his technique and physicality and he could become a world-class player. As it stands, an absolutely great prospect.
 
Outstanding talent.

Thank feck he didn’t get seduced by the chavs or any other team while we waited for his development to continue and find space for him in the team.

Must be allowed to continue. Dips will happen but not at this moment.
 
wolviedinho said:
Outstanding talent.

Thank feck he didn’t get seduced by the chavs or any other team while we waited for his development to continue and find space for him in the team.

Must be allowed to continue. Dips will happen but not at this moment.
Click to expand...
he's got all the attributes to succeed at this level and the biggest thing is a mature head could of easily wanted to go to chelsea in jan so glad he didn't
 
him and nunes are a real lesson for youth coaches that it is your responsibility to figure out what position a player is destined to be. because they are both clearly far better at fullback than their original positions - and the signs were there. You can start and even promote to the first team as one position and figure out you were always supposed to be on another part of the pitch.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Unread Posts

Don't have an account? Register now and see fewer ads!

SIGN UP
Back
Top