Connolly in, Robson out.Yeah, feel like his Wikipedia has been written by someone being a little generous (him, his agent or a family member?).
Has he played across the back four? Yes, but only in emergencies really.
Of his career league appearances, 64 have been in defensive midfield, 52 have been at centre half, 18 have been at right back, then 7 at left back, 6 on the right of midfield and 1 on the left. He's not had a run of games at right back since the 16/17 season where he played 10 games there on loan for Wigan.
He does bring Turton's versatility to the table, without being a right back. I think he'll be earmarked as cover for Dougall/Stewart and will mean we can ship Robson off.
He's a good character too. Decent addition.
More likely to play defence, no?Connolly in, Robson out.
O'Nien stands out as a fans' favourite type on the Netflix doc. Not sure why he's never really established a position, or what his "level" really is in terms of talent. Will be interesting to see where he lands.Luke O'Nien now out of contract at Sunderland. Although he played defensive roles he was bought from Wycombe as an attacking midfielder and then more often than not played out of position to help out the team.
Actually prefer him to Embo and no fee
Defensive midfielderVague, unreliable suggestion we might be interested in Dennis Adeniran. Released by Everton, so of course we're interested!
Sheffield Wednesday have 'held talks' with Dennis Adeniran, report claims - The72
Released Everton man Dennis Adeniran is being eyed by all of Blackpool, Hull City, Luton Town, Sheffield Wednesday and Sunderland but Yorkshire Live claim the Owls have 'held talks' with the Englishman.the72.co.uk
How many defensive midfielders do we needDefensive midfielder
Ex-Everton
So plausible!
Not THAT many.How many defensive midfielders do we need
How many have we got?! Only Dougall and Stewart really, perhaps. Connolly and Reece James can play there but may well be starting in other positions. Antwi maybe but could well be loaned out. Ward and Virtue not really defensive.How many defensive midfielders do we need
Was very telling that we just took up Ward's option and didn't offer him a new deal unlike others e.g. Husband.How many have we got?! Only Dougall and Stewart really, perhaps. Connolly and Reece James can play there but may well be starting in other positions. Antwi maybe but could well be loaned out. Ward and Virtue not really defensive.
Stewart is out and out defensive mid- fielder. Virtue plays the box to box defensive role, Wardy has played that position and adds a little bit more flair, King Kenny has obviously become a pseudo striker so can no longer be considered "defensive".How many have we got?! Only Dougall and Stewart really, perhaps. Connolly and Reece James can play there but may well be starting in other positions. Antwi maybe but could well be loaned out. Ward and Virtue not really defensive.
Luke O'Nien now out of contract at Sunderland. Although he played defensive roles he was bought from Wycombe as an attacking midfielder and then more often than not played out of position to help out the team.
Actually prefer him to Embo and no fee
Exactly. So we are maybe a bit short?!Stewart is out and out defensive mid- fielder. Virtue plays the box to box defensive role, Wardy has played that position and adds a little bit more flair, King Kenny has obviously become a pseudo striker so can no longer be considered "defensive".
UTMP
And every season since Adam was a lad.We would be mad not to exploit the loan market IMO. Improve the team with players we can't afford to buy. Like we did last season, and the season before.
Better player of the 2 if played correctlyThere you go with your Luke O'Nien tales.
As well as Turton?
Sounds like it. We can attract better than Turton and Gabriel at Championship level, I would imagine. And probably need better.As well as Turton?
I might be being harsh but I don't actually think Gabriel improved that much in the 2nd half of the season although Critch did have a habit of playing him in all sorts of positions. I certainly wouldn't be held to ransom for him. Strange that Huddersfield are interested because they already have an attacking full back I believe.Sounds like it. We can attract better than Turton and Gabriel at Championship level, I would imagine. And probably need better.
Absolutely agree. He didn't improve. Didn't seem to be learning. We need to find better for the Championship, IMO. As a first choice RB.I might be being harsh but I don't actually think Gabriel improved that much in the 2nd half of the season although Critch did have a habit of playing him in all sorts of positions. I certainly wouldn't be held to ransom for him. Strange that Huddersfield are interested because they already have an attacking full back I believe.
We do of course need to find a RB. I've always held the view that good FBs can make a team. UTMP
He improved massively still very young, would love to sign him upAbsolutely agree. He didn't improve. Didn't seem to be learning. We need to find better for the Championship, IMO. As a first choice RB.
He's absolutely not better than Embleton at all. Not even close.Luke O'Nien now out of contract at Sunderland. Although he played defensive roles he was bought from Wycombe as an attacking midfielder and then more often than not played out of position to help out the team.
Actually prefer him to Embo and no fee
Think most Sunderland fans would disagree with you. One of their most consistent performers for 3 seasons and versatileHe's absolutely not better than Embleton at all. Not even close.
I thought we had signed Connolly,who says the manager wants him to play right back!Sounds like we need plan C. Just hope we sign someone for RB soon
When did he say that? He is not a natural right back and has hardly ever played thereI thought we had signed Connolly,who says the manager wants him to play right back!
He didn’t say that - a click bait gazette article implied he did.I thought we had signed Connolly,who says the manager wants him to play right back!
He chips in with a few goals looking on wiki.Luke O'Nien now out of contract at Sunderland. Although he played defensive roles he was bought from Wycombe as an attacking midfielder and then more often than not played out of position to help out the team.
Actually prefer him to Embo and no fee
He's also an autodidact.J.P. Sartre. Left winger ginger cross eyed deep thinker about the game. Has iron in his soul. He once dismissed Cantona as “ a sprat who follows a rubber dingy.” On a free from FC Camus.
Still need 2 out and out right-backs though.I thought we had signed Connolly,who says the manager wants him to play right back!
I wouldn't trust a Sunderland fan's view of anything tbhThink most Sunderland fans would disagree with you. One of their most consistent performers for 3 seasons and versatile
He was very unlucky not to be playing. The manager put his trust in the more experienced Turton and he didn't let us down. It's nowhere near the reflection on Gabriel people think it is.Did anyone else not actually rate Gabriel that highly? From the amount of games he wasn't involved in, clearly Critch wasn't that bothered about him.
right back is one of his listed positions along side defensive midfield and centre half!He didn’t say that - a click bait gazette article implied he did.
I could see him on the right of a back 3, but not as a RB or RWB.
Critchley used Turton when he thought we'd need to defend and Gabriel when he thought we could attack down the flanks. Critchley saw Turton as the better defender. So, given that we probably need a better defender than Turton in the higher league, so it's hard to see Gabby suddenly stepping up.He was very unlucky not to be playing. The manager put his trust in the more experienced Turton and he didn't let us down. It's nowhere near the reflection on Gabriel people think it is.