Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Lavelle arrive with the reputation of someone who can play a bit? I know we didn't see that always under Jackson, but it feels like him and EOC are pretty much inked in now, so let's hope they can develop an understanding
You’re correct that Lavelle was a player who people said could play a bit, by some of their fans. The general consensus was though is that he was a proper leader and ready for the step up. I had a look at Lavelle for Morecambe in 2020/21 and O’Connell for Rochdale 2021/22 and I have to say, they seem like very different defenders.
Amusingly, O’Connell took more shots (45) than Leko, Blackett-Taylor, Burstow, Davison, and Aneke last season. I'm not sure if that says more about him or our attack last season.
Already mentioned this during the last friendly but think we will do well to sign better than him this year.
Of course may be a complete different proposition against a team like Accrington, in a competitive league one game, but everything I’ve seen from him so far seems to ooze class.
He will play a massive part in us being able to play attacking football with his vision, passing range, and comfort on the ball.
After a wobbly start, he’s been really good against both QPR and Sheffield Wednesday. More to come I hope.
I admit that I was starting to have some doubts but he does seem to be getting more dependable and solid as we go so long may it continue.
Hopefully we can have an established first choice CB pairing that work together as opposed to the ever-changing rota of out of position FBs and midfielders of seasons past.
has become the most important member of our defence .. he's made Innis into a calmer player, in fact he's an all round calming influence on the team .. shrewd signing from a club that has been struggling for a good while
Agreed he had a good game on Monday but he's had more bad games than good , so i'm yet to be convinced. Up against pace he doesn't look at all like a footballer . I hope he proves me wrong.
Agreed he had a good game on Monday but he's had more bad games than good , so i'm yet to be convinced. Up against pace he doesn't look at all like a footballer . I hope he proves me wrong.
He's had 2 bad games. Derby (his debut) and one a few weeks back.
Agreed he had a good game on Monday but he's had more bad games than good , so i'm yet to be convinced. Up against pace he doesn't look at all like a footballer . I hope he proves me wrong.
He's had 2 bad games. Derby (his debut) and one a few weeks back.
He's definitely had more than two bad games but i guess it's about opinions.
Agreed he had a good game on Monday but he's had more bad games than good , so i'm yet to be convinced. Up against pace he doesn't look at all like a footballer . I hope he proves me wrong.
He's had 2 bad games. Derby (his debut) and one a few weeks back.
He's definitely had more than two bad games but i guess it's about opinions.
I’d say 2 genuinely bad games but then a couple more where’s looked shaky and luckily not been punished enough to get some criticism for it
It’s no coincidence that he seems to have improved the defensive side of his game with a consistently good left back next to him.
One of the strongest parts of his game I feel has been his calmness and control of the ball. There’s times when he can bring balls down on his chest for example, where other defenders might have just hoofed it out or panicked.
I feel like he's a CB who looks very good in a solid, settled defense but a bit lost at sea in one that is less established. At his best, he's very good (at this level) but at his worst he's very shaky.
I feel like he's a CB who looks very good in a solid, settled defense but a bit lost at sea in one that is less established. At his best, he's very good (at this level) but at his worst he's very shaky.
I think that’s spot on, but not surprising. We haven’t had a settled back 5 since the second half of the play off winning season and it shows. Even then we could switch Pearce/Sarr but the balance once we signed Purrington massively contributed to our success
It’s no coincidence that he seems to have improved the defensive side of his game with a consistently good left back next to him.
One of the strongest parts of his game I feel has been his calmness and control of the ball. There’s times when he can bring balls down on his chest for example, where other defenders might have just hoofed it out or panicked.
Spot on.
Quelle surprise he looks much more reliable in a settled back 4. Quelle surprise he looks much better with a specialist full back beside him, albeit a right footed one playing on his wrong side.
And don't forget, O'Connell is himself right footed playing left side of the CB pairing. Don't people understand how that can affect a player playing on his 'wrong' side?
I'm sure he would much prefer to play as the right side CB.
In any case, to my way of thinking it's a risky unbalance playing with a back line where all 4 players are right footed.
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What tune is that to Dave ?
Of course may be a complete different proposition against a team like Accrington, in a competitive league one game, but everything I’ve seen from him so far seems to ooze class.
Hopefully we can have an established first choice CB pairing that work together as opposed to the ever-changing rota of out of position FBs and midfielders of seasons past.
In Conversation | Eoghan O'Connell (October 2022)
It's a bonus that he's really good on the ball and his passing range is severely under-rated.
He's a key part of this team...
- SofaScore ratings put him top of the Charlton squad for average rating (7.18). Inniss 2nd (7.05) with Kirk and Dobson joint 3rd (7.01).
- FotMob ratings have him third in the squad with a rating of 7.07, behind Dobson (7.22) and Fraser (7.12).
- WhoScored ratings place him 4th (score 6.89), behind Stockley (6.97), Rak-Sakyi (6.95) and Fraser (6.94).
Up against pace he doesn't look at all like a footballer .
I hope he proves me wrong.
Derby (his debut) and one a few weeks back.
Quelle surprise he looks much more reliable in a settled back 4.
Quelle surprise he looks much better with a specialist full back beside him, albeit a right footed one playing on his wrong side.
And don't forget, O'Connell is himself right footed playing left side of the CB pairing.
Don't people understand how that can affect a player playing on his 'wrong' side?
I'm sure he would much prefer to play as the right side CB.
In any case, to my way of thinking it's a risky unbalance playing with a back line where all 4 players are right footed.
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