Chris O'Grady

[durrington gull]

Yep COG gave the best cameo for a while. He relieved the pressure battling up front so the ball didn't come back straight away and won the ball and laid it off to start the move for the goal. In fact everything that could be reasonably expected he did and did very well. I hope he gets a run of games to show what he can do.

No thanks - send him back to Sheff Utd - dont be fooled by 10mins on the pitch! - journeyman league 1 striker - look at his record

 

[Easy 10]

Fulham players were committed up the pitch during the time he was on so the skills he showed then are not transferable to normal footballing conditions he has to play in during Championship games.

I appreciate being a goal up has certainly not been "normal footballing conditions" for us in the Championship this season, but it was hardly a completely alien set of circumstances for a striker to arrive in.

 

[Trigger]

I appreciate being a goal up has certainly not been "normal footballing conditions" for us in the Championship this season, but it was hardly a completely alien set of circumstances for a striker to arrive in.

Come on now, don't question the font of all football knowledge.

 

[seagullsovergrimsby]

Come on now, don't question the font of all football knowledge.

There are numerous funts on NSC




edited : typo

 

[Thunder Bolt]

No thanks - send him back to Sheff Utd - dont be fooled by 10mins on the pitch! - journeyman league 1 striker - look at his record

His record in the Championship was 15 goals a season. Why throw away a striker that Hughton can use? Make the Blades wait until the very last day, and in the meantime, see if he can work under the new manager's system.

 

[Soulman]

His record in the Championship was 15 goals a season. Why throw away a striker that Hughton can use? Make the Blades wait until the very last day, and in the meantime, see if he can work under the new manager's system.

My thoughts as well. Let the new manager decide. Maybe Hughton has his eye on a striker and with BHA's approach we may have to wait until the end of Jan.
No hurry until a replacement is either in place or O'Grady impresses.

 

[Mackenzie]

I don't tend to get too involved in debates on NSC these days as I simply can't be bothered to back up my opinions against the masses! I'll chip in now though, I think O'Grady has been harshly critiqued by Albion fans as he's been an easy target to use as an example of bad recruitment during a difficult period for the club. I'm not for one moment suggesting he's been good, I don't think he'd even claim that, but there's been plenty of players performing poorly for us this season and I don't think O'Grady has been head and shoulders worse than them.

I recall everyone being very frustrated after a game earlier this season when LuaLua smashed the ball across the box and O'Grady didn't gamble to get on the end of it. Loads of abuse directed at him in the North Stand and on Twitter/NSC etc after the game. I thought that was totally unjustified, he won himself some space by halting his run as the defender continued towards the goal. The issue was LuaLua (I think, or was it McCourt) not looking up for a pass and instead taking the lazy option of smashing it across the box and hoping it hits someone. Compare that to say Colunga's cut back for Calderon's goal against Reading. It was a simple pass, but for me, that's where the good players come into their own. Speaking of Colunga, he doesn't get the credit he deserves imo, he's had a number of assists and key passes recently. Superb cross for Bruno at Norwich springs to mind, plus the ball for Bent against Fulham.

At Swindon, his chipped cross to Ince (following an O'grady chest down and pass) and the subsequent pile driver was exquisite. One of the best goals I've seen.

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[Soulman]

At Swindon, his chipped cross to Ince (following an O'grady chest down and pass) and the subsequent pile driver was exquisite. One of the best goals I've seen.

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Looks like Colunga has settled in now. Set up Calde's goal v Reading, hit the post and set up the miss by Solly.

 

[Surf's Up]

Looks like Colunga has settled in now. Set up Calde's goal v Reading, hit the post and set up the miss by Solly.

I agree, I think he has and is now looking a good player. But it is a good example of how long it can take a player to settle into a completely new environment.

 

[T.G]

No thanks - send him back to Sheff Utd - don't be fooled by 10mins on the pitch! - journeyman league 1 striker - look at his record

No one's fooled by his 15 mins but most saw a glimpse of what he may be able to do for the team. I just advocating giving him a go for a few games and then evaluate his value to the team.

 

[ants4t]

I think O'Grady's biggest crime is not being a Ulloa replacement the fans wanted and instead getting a bog standard targetman with championship goals, filling in a different hole in our squad.

The circumstances of the last 10 minutes of the Fulham match show exactly how useful O'Grady can be too the squad and a type of player we haven't got and until that is addressed by a Ulloa replacement and another strong striker, we shouldn't offload him. Don't forget Halford being thrown upfront against Reading in the final 10 as we needed height and strength which was lacking on the team and bench.

 

[Mowgli37]

His record in the Championship was 15 goals a season. Why throw away a striker that Hughton can use? Make the Blades wait until the very last day, and in the meantime, see if he can work under the new manager's system.

This.

 

[redoubtable seagull]

This.

O'Grady scored 15 goals last season - he is not a 15 goals a season footballer. The last time he hit double figures was in 2009/10 for Rochdale in league 2. He's not a prolific goal scorer.

He did play very well for his cameo appearance and looked a different player, no doubt thanks to Jones' motivational skills. But I feel we are better off saying goodbye and recouping something back on his fee from Sheff Utd if they want him.
I can't see him being in Hughton's long term plans.

 

[redoubtable seagull]

I agree, I think he has and is now looking a good player. But it is a good example of how long it can take a player to settle into a completely new environment.

And he presses defensively pretty well too although does not seem to like a tackle - similar to Orlandi and Spanish Dave!

 

[acrossthepond]

There's a lot to praise in the COG cameo. Firstly, the positive and proactive substitution by NJ (listen to what he says on the post match interview). Then, the fact that COG had a very clear set of instructions. Next, that he followed those instructions to the letter. Finally, the fact that those instructions were clearly tailored to his strengths and where he feels confident.

It had a material impact on the game, was excellent use of a sub and is generally really good management.

More of the same please messrs CH, NJ and COG.

 

[trueblue]

Thought he was excellent against Fulham. Came on and made a very big impact at a time when we could have been in for a very uncomfortable finish. I'd like us to keep him and try to get him more involved before making a decision. It's already pretty obvious that it would be unfair to judge anyone on the form they showed under Hyypia, given his strange tactics. I have a mate who's very well informed about Yorkshire football and knows O'Grady. He was pretty surprised in the summer when COG signed because he didn't think he'd want to move away. That said, he also vouched for him as a top bloke who would always give his all. He certainly offers something as a squad player I'd say, and it would help if people weren't quite so quick to slate him (although at Craven Cottage, it was good to hear the fans getting behind him).

 

[jamie the seagull]

"Nigel Clough says he remains hopeful of seeing Chris O'Grady back in United colours soon"
http://www.sufc.co.uk/news/article/sheffield-united-nigel-clough-chris-ogrady-2176151.aspx

 

[Trigger]

If you genuinely believe that, you can't read a game of football I'm afraid.

So, talk us through COG's goal today oh wise one?...

 

[London Irish]

So, talk us through COG's goal today oh wise one?...

Scored after missing a one-on-one with the keeper. Still think we need better and it will be me bouncing this thread at the end of this season on you

 

[The Oldman]

If you can listen to COG's interview on bbc sx. Top bloke and hope it works out for him, here or up North.