Fair point, especially after barely playing so far. He does have the 'know-how' though.
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33 | Nico O'Reilly - 2025/26
- Thread starter MCFC1993
- Start date
Middedon
Well-Known Member
I do feel like we look really tall this year. With those four at the back and Nico G and Tijani. And obviously Erling. The tv shots from the tunnel looked pretty imposing.The key thing for me is that he adds a bit of badly needed steel and height to the defence which combined with Khusanov made us fairly solid at the back yesterday. Probably not a natural full back but is doing a much better job of imitating one than others.
I do feel like we look really tall this year. With those four at the back and Nico G and Tijani. And obviously Erling. The tv shots from the tunnel looked pretty imposing.
Which will help when we play set-piece FC next week. (Hopefully)
TFC
Well-Known Member
I love him, and I hope he gets to start some games in midfield this season, I really do think we would benefit from having him in there at times.
ninjamonkey
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Thought he put in a tremendous shift and did himself proud but its hard to see a future for him in that position. Against decent opposition, he'll struggle. I'd be very nervous to see him there against Arsenal, surely has to be Ake.
HorlockofFiretopMountain
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Just had a look back at the Donnarumma save from Mbuemo. On that occasion Doku hadn't made it back and O'Reilly was picking up both Mbuemo and Mazraoui. He did exactly the right thing, dropping his arms by his sides and making himself big by closing Mbuemo down. Yes Mbuemo got the shot away and forced a save, but this limited the area of the goal he could shoot at. Haven't managed to look at the others yet, but quite possible he did leave a bit of space. From where we were sat it looked like there was always someone on their RHS in acres of space, but that was partly due to them playing with wingbacks. We could have countered this by having Doku track back more (which he was already doing to great effect over and above what he usually does) but then we would have lost the benefit of Doku's attacking prowess, which was very effectiveHe had a really good game, so to critisice seems a little harsh, but he switches off too often to be a full back, and that's difficult to critisice as he isn't a full back, but his man, Mbuemo had 4 chances 3 in the box. Against top teams its a different outcome. Again great game so not trying to critisice him too much.
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He got moved there when mainoo came on around the 60th min for mazraouo.. Mainoo went into the middle, fernandes into 10 and diallo rwb. He got no joy until savinho replaced doku and they went 2 v 1 on Oreilly. Did u see the game? This was clear to see. I sit in the front row of 023 and had literally the best view in the world of it.Don't think he was wingback yesterday. Certainly wasn't at the start - they set up like below - and I think when Mezraoui went off Mainoo dropped in there, but could be wrong about that part.
Could have had more help though you're right, but he did still get turned a bit when he was 1v1 in the box. Madueke is way more tricky than Diallo.
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He got moved there when mainoo came on around the 60th min for mazraouo.. Mainoo went into the middle, fernandes into 10 and diallo rwb. He got no joy until savinho replaced doku and they went 2 v 1 on Oreilly. Did u see the game? This was clear to see. I sit in the front row of 023 and had literally the best view in the world of it.
I didn't concentrate on their positions clearly. I did see a fair few times though where they weren't 2v1, it was just Diallo v O'Reilly, and he struggled a bit. Madueke is way trickier, so we need to do something differently - maybe that's just keeping Doku on though.
super_city_si
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I dont mind him there v Arsenal. Ake will get beat for pace. Nico is quicker. But Ake is a very good defender still so I would be ok with either in there.Thought he put in a tremendous shift and did himself proud but its hard to see a future for him in that position. Against decent opposition, he'll struggle. I'd be very nervous to see him there against Arsenal, surely has to be Ake.
The issue was, diallo wasnt his man which was my point at the start but he got dragged out when savinho wasnt tracking back. Im not saying hes the answer going forward versus other teams, I just thought defensively he was excellent on sunday and thats all we can ask for against a very tricky winger esp for a player still learning to be a defender and learning to be a premier league player. I would probably agree with you and go with Ake on Sunday if hes fully fit. Hes always done well against Arsenal from what i can remember!I didn't concentrate on their positions clearly. I did see a fair few times though where they weren't 2v1, it was just Diallo v O'Reilly, and he struggled a bit. Madueke is way trickier, so we need to do something differently - maybe that's just keeping Doku on though.
Bigga
Well-Known Member
"And", like all good attacking LBs that Guardiola wants to play, every now and then, he'll be 'out of position', such is the nature of Guardiolaball.And ?
Not sure what else you from the kid. When he joins the attacking mid, he's supposed to be covered by the DM and CBs.
So, what was your point of the criticism?
ninjamonkey
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Not sure I'd agree on Ake being slower, Ake doesn't have blistering pace but he isn't slow and his positioning gives him an advantage to make up for any speed deficiency. He has pocketed Saka on numerous occasions in the past. It's not even a debate for me. The only debate for me would be who plays central/left from gvardiol and ake.I dont mind him there v Arsenal. Ake will get beat for pace. Nico is quicker. But Ake is a very good defender still so I would be ok with either in there.
pride in battle
Well-Known Member
As the game wore on he kept struggling to get across to the winger, a better winger would have punished him...Pep at fault as well for not bringing on Ake earlier, but he does run out of steam at the moment and i don't think he is a fullback, however he did allright, but certainly not great."And", like all good attacking LBs that Guardiola wants to play, every now and then, he'll be 'out of position', such is the nature of Guardiolaball.
Not sure what else you from the kid. When he joins the attacking mid, he's supposed to be covered by the DM and CBs.
So, what was your point of the criticism?
pride in battle
Well-Known Member
I just don't think he is good enough defensively, not his fault as he is playing out of position."And", like all good attacking LBs that Guardiola wants to play, every now and then, he'll be 'out of position', such is the nature of Guardiolaball.
Not sure what else you from the kid. When he joins the attacking mid, he's supposed to be covered by the DM and CBs.
So, what was your point of the criticism?
Bigga
Well-Known Member
I just don't think he is good enough defensively, not his fault as he is playing out of position.
Something we can agree on.
For me, out of all the converted mids we have to cover one of the backs, he's the best of them.
The Fat el Hombre
Well-Known Member
Watching our second goal in slow motion is poetic, and Nico's nutmeg to start it was sublime.
It was a big performance from him. He's a quality player, physically imposing, and doesn't giver a fuck. We need that.
I still think we should and will use him sparingly because he will need time to develop, but if he can step in here and there and play like that then great stuff
It was a big performance from him. He's a quality player, physically imposing, and doesn't giver a fuck. We need that.
I still think we should and will use him sparingly because he will need time to develop, but if he can step in here and there and play like that then great stuff
cleavers
Moderator
He adds some good physicality to the team, and he played the Rico role quite a bit on Sunday, with the defence often reverting to 2 or 3 at the back, and Nico coming inside in midfield.
I actually think he will eventually become a very good midfield player, but his phsicality is key, and he's not scared to put it about a bit, something we've lacked for a long time.
He's not long turned 20, and he's ours, a very exciting prospect
I actually think he will eventually become a very good midfield player, but his phsicality is key, and he's not scared to put it about a bit, something we've lacked for a long time.
He's not long turned 20, and he's ours, a very exciting prospect
Like ive said before, i see a potential world class left back, but an okay midfielder.
I disagree with the second half of this. I think he’s such an intelligent and technically and physically well rounded player that he could play almost anywhere and be an 8/10.
I reckon he’ll be the breakout player of the season, seems to have filled out a bit over the summer so he brings real physicality along with his height and pace - and every game he looks a bit better at something, a bit more confident, completely at home in a derby.
Sky is the limit. Pep must love him because he could mould him into anything - I think he’ll end up being a box to box midfielder though.
YOu are probably right. He is immensely talented.I disagree with the second half of this. I think he’s such an intelligent and technically and physically well rounded player that he could play almost anywhere and be an 8/10.
I reckon he’ll be the breakout player of the season, seems to have filled out a bit over the summer so he brings real physicality along with his height and pace - and every game he looks a bit better at something, a bit more confident, completely at home in a derby.
Sky is the limit. Pep must love him because he could mould him into anything - I think he’ll end up being a box to box midfielder though.
Blue_Lightsaber
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I disagree with the second half of this. I think he’s such an intelligent and technically and physically well rounded player that he could play almost anywhere and be an 8/10.
I reckon he’ll be the breakout player of the season, seems to have filled out a bit over the summer so he brings real physicality along with his height and pace - and every game he looks a bit better at something, a bit more confident, completely at home in a derby.
Sky is the limit. Pep must love him because he could mould him into anything - I think he’ll end up being a box to box midfielder though.
Phil Foden started as a Left Back!