Matt O'Riley

This.

I say this in the least disrespectful way but I completely forgot about him to I saw him mentioned on another thread the other day

 

It is mad, because we started the season and the full pre-season on fire, largely with O’Riley being the man making us dance alongside McGregor, I was very worried even if we get quality in like Engels to replace him and Bernardo who I rated at the end of his loan a lot, and thought very similar to O’Riley when he’s been at his best for us…

But the midfield had clicked majorly, and O’Riley was * massive for that. And it’s been actually seamless. Unreal.

 

This is the way it should be.

We’re finally getting it out of our collective heads that when we sell a top player we should struggle for years to replace.

Ange mentioned this but it should be a revolving door. Players in, players out - aim to trade up every window.

There’s a huge market out there and we have the money and the pull to get the players we need, but we need to keep working hard, not sitting on our hands waiting for one of our spread bets to come good.

The system is working but we need to stick with it.

 

I think when we’ve done it even better in the past and already had the replacement there to step in, when the player actually left we had loads of shouts of no replacements. Like Eddy was always Dembele’s replacement, but they were in the same team at a point and we bought him before punting Eddy. And was always pointed towards him not replacing Moussa, cos we had him already.

but we punted O’Riley, broke a transfer fee on the replacement, and the replacement started on fire, made some big contributions even when he’s not been top form and getting some stick at points as a young guy. Engels having been seamless I think is brilliant, and a good example of forward planning. But Eddy loan for a season, record fee, then Moussa leaving for a big fee is the best way I’ve seen us do it.

And to an extent, if we didn’t get Engels, we had that deal on the backburner and things can * up when that happens - I think we could point to Bernardo as similar to that situation as well.

We got both the back up replacement with a lot of potential and the big money replacement with a lot of potential. Honestly BR booted some baws in that boardroom going into the summer window

 

We've not missed him for several reasons. Firstly the midfield has had no serious injuries this season. Hatate started last season a bit meh, was injured, Bernardo took a while to get going, and Turnbull was struggling at times. O'Riley had to be the creator, and I felt once our mid was a bit stronger with Bernardo and Hatate playing well you didn't see as much of that because the team didn't rely on him.

Secondly, the wings were not great last season. Meada was injured for a large chunk, the right was lacking. In the first half of the season Palma was probably our best winger. He wasn't getting balls into the box though.

Thirdly good recruitment, pre-prepared Bernardo, buying a Belgian international and probably the best or one of the best midfielder outwith Celtic in the league. That's us rock solid at midfield. All the midfielders are creating and have something about them. None have stood out because they have all been good.

 

I think the preparation and depth with the squad and being able to rest players, or take them of 60 mins in, being confident in the replacements goes hand in hand with us having less injuries as well though. We aren’t running players into the ground through some gruelling schedules, we had a period of 7 games in 22 days there I think Rodgers pointed out. And the midfield options being pretty seamlessly replacing another, and 4 guys fighting for 2 places and all 4 giving a good fight for them as well.

That reduces injuries, and keeps players fitter, when we can’t do that is when we absolutely have to force O’Riley or calmac last year to play, nursing injuries, not in the right mindset, through bad form… they needed to and that was that.

It’s not like that this season.

I disagree with none standing out though, every single one of them have this season. And have the moments to point towards, but they’re doing it collectively and individually. Its * unreal. I’ve never seen anything like that for us.

Closest examples might be O’Riley, Hatate and Mooy. Followed by Broony, Wanyama, Kayal, Ledley and Ki.

 

On the bench for Brighton tonight

 

Sooner than expected I think?
Good sign and hopefully a great season ahaed of him.
Deserves it.

 

Come on with about 35 to play

 

Goal!

 

O Rileeeyyyyyy

 

Goal on his debut * get in there

Sent from my 21121210G using Tapatalk

 

Go on son

 

Yass matt

 

He's played for Brighton once before

 

Nice one, Matty. Really happy for him.

 

Buzzing. Really want this to be the winner

 

Unbelievable..

First game back..

Wow. Get it up City as well, they definitely look flaky without the likes of Rodri..

 

Not a bad way to return from injury.

 

Loves a wee tongue out celebration. Larsson-esque