33 | Nico O'Reilly - 2025/26

[samuelyeboah]

allows his winger far too much time and space for crosses

 

[Cityfan]

Hutchison was excellent today and NOR was struggling a bit.

 

[OrigamiNinja]

I think he looks a lot better with a wide man in front of him. Asking him to provide the attacking width and do all the defensive duties of a LB would be a lot ask of anyone, never mind a young kid who is learning in the position on the job.

 

[ninjamonkey]

I think his defensive naivety has been identified by opposition analysts and his opponents are looking to exploit it. part and parcel of learning the position. Sticks to his task, doesnt throw the towel in, stays calm and doesnt make many stupid decisions. These games are all good lessons for him.

 

[unicorn]

I thought he struggled vs West Ham, and really struggled today. Perhaps hitting that proverbial wall that young players almost always hit. Just has to keep pushing through it.

And i thought he was Man of the match v Hammers. Thank goodness we're allowed different opinions

 

[Jonas.shaffer]

And i thought he was Man of the match v Hammers. Thank goodness we're allowed different opinions

I didn't think he was bad vs West Ham by any stretch. Just below the very high standard he's set all season.

 

[domalino]

Would be nailed on for YPOTY if Cherki also didn’t play for us

YPOTY Nico
POTY Cherki

Feels quite likely if we win the league.

 

[Stelea]

Looked knackered today

 

[Alexia_Ko]

YPOTY Nico
POTY Cherki

Feels quite likely if we win the league.

Haaland probably gets POTY

 

[Withnail]

Hutchinson made it difficult for O'Reilly today and I was a little concerned after he received his booking. He looks a bit tired and probably needs a rest, but with RAN at Afcon I think he will start at Sunderland.

 

[Gorbachev]

Hutchinson because of his stature and relatively diminutive height compared to Nico is a really difficult player to defend against.

Better players than O'Reilly would have struggled against him today.

 

[WallyA]

Being overplayed IMO, but Pep doesn't trust anybody else there.

 

[Haaland94]

Poor today, left Hutchinson with way too much space, as he did with Rodrygo or Bellingham (although he didn't score). Needs to learn to stay closer to his man. Probaly just tired and needs a rest. It would be nice to play Josko or Nathan there to get Khusanov back in the side at CB.

 

[HelloCity]

I didn't think he was bad vs West Ham by any stretch. Just below the very high standard he's set all season.

Must have watched a different game.

Barely put a foot wrong vs West Ham.

 

[lightning Rodri]

I think he looks a lot better with a wide man in front of him. Asking him to provide the attacking width and do all the defensive duties of a LB would be a lot ask of anyone, never mind a young kid who is learning in the position on the job.

This formation isn't working for him and Phil

 

[thomas1307]

I think his defensive naivety has been identified by opposition analysts and his opponents are looking to exploit it. part and parcel of learning the position. Sticks to his task, doesnt throw the towel in, stays calm and doesnt make many stupid decisions. These games are all good lessons for him.

absolutely spot on well said

 

[madloaf]

Looked a little like he was trying too hard going forward. Don't mind that though, all part of getting better.

 

[clarion]

Nico is great as left back in our home dominating games when his composure and passing brings advantages. When it comes to more quick and physical game he makes is to easy for opposition wingers. Today Ake should’ve come on earlier in the game.

 

[WallyA]

Because of no Doku, he has to be wide alot more than he is use to.

Usually with Doku, he drifts into midfield as an LCM, and gets to do midfield bits.

But because Foden does that almost exclusively, the dynamic on the left is too predictable, O Reilly will hold the width and Foden will be in the middle.

Doku being dangerous in either scenario and freely swapping between them helped O Reilly also be more unpredictable as a result as well.

 

[Jonas.shaffer]

Nico is great as left back in our home dominating games when his composure and passing brings advantages. When it comes to more quick and physical game he makes is to easy for opposition wingers. Today Ake should’ve come on earlier in the game.

Ake can't run anymore. He would have been far worse than Nico.