[Albion] Matt O Riley [26/08/24 - sings on a 5-year deal]

[DJ NOBO]

I might be wrong on this, but I don't see FH using MOR in a CM two primarily and instead views him closer to a number 10 -- and a markedly different one to the ones that we've got.
I suspect we're more likely to lose Joao Pedro this summer, and that opens up a vacancy in that number 10 position. MOR would probably be vying with Rutter and Buonanotte for minutes in that slot.
We've now got an abundance of CM talents and, given we've got Yalcouye likely to be with us for next season, we've got enough cover even if we do lose Baleba.

The only one who comes close is Gomes, and that’s on thin evidence at this moment in time . TBF that says more about how good Baleba is as a dynamic machine, than anything else.

 

[Change at Barnham]

I might be wrong on this, but I don't see FH using MOR in a CM two primarily and instead views him closer to a number 10 -- and a markedly different one to the ones that we've got.
I suspect we're more likely to lose Joao Pedro this summer, and that opens up a vacancy in that number 10 position. MOR would probably be vying with Rutter and Buonanotte for minutes in that slot.
We've now got an abundance of CM talents and, given we've got Yalcouye likely to be with us for next season, we've got enough cover even if we do lose Baleba.

Rutter, Buonanotte and also Gruda are vying for the number 10 spot.

 

[dazzer6666]

Rutter, Buonanotte and also Gruda are vying for the number 10 spot.

....and Enciso

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

A work colleague is a Celtic ST holder and we were discussing O'Riley when he signed for us.
He said he is quality and then I mentioned the standard of Scottish football.
To be fair to O'Riley, colleague went on to say he was bossing games in the champions league, not just in the MTL

But Celtic rarely qualify through the group?

 

[Blues Guitarist]

I think the issue is that they both cost a lot of money to be useful squad players. Yalcouye will come in as Baleba’s rotation option next season...

Yalcouye is far too lightweight (physically) to play the Baleba role. Would need to spend time in the gym.

 

[singing4seagulls]

Sorry, but based on what?

The Scottish leagueis nowhere near the quality of the PL.

So far he hasn’t been very good, although his progress has clearly been damaged by the injury, it feels like it’s way too early to say.

Based on what I’ve seen in the current squad he is the furthest away from a start out of all of our midfielders.

Based on the fact Tony Bloom paid a load of cash for him!

Tony is a very shrewd and tight business man that doesn't do things based on a hunch. He'd of had reems of data, plus scouts and direct reports from very knowledgeable people he trusts. He definitely knows more than us, to convince him spunk millions of his own money on the guy.

Now I'm not saying we get all signings right, but when a guy has played approximately 5 mins for us - which involved scoring, a horrendous injury, and f*** all minutes since - it only feels right to reserve judgement and be positive and optimistic.

It's easy to be negative, but much nicer to assume the positive.

My assumption, is:

• Tony is a likely a better judge of a player he's spent millions on, than we can be after watching him play for minutes.
• Tony is probably aware of the quality of Scottish football

Hopefully neither of those two statements are controversial?

If so let's have some faith

 

[ConfusedGloryHunter]

Based on the fact Tony Bloom paid a load of cash for him!

Tony is a very shrewd and tight business man that doesn't do things based on a hunch. He'd of had reems of data, plus scouts and direct reports from very knowledgeable people he trusts. He definitely knows more than us, to convince him spunk millions of his own money on the guy.

Now I'm not saying we get all signings right, but when a guy has played approximately 5 mins for us - which involved scoring, a horrendous injury, and f*** all minutes since - it only feels right to reserve judgement and be positive and optimistic.

It's easy to be negative, but much nicer to assume the positive.

My assumption, is:

• Tony is a likely a better judge of a player he's spent millions on, than we can be after watching him play for minutes.
• Tony is probably aware of the quality of Scottish football

Hopefully neither of those two statements are controversial?

If so let's have some faith

We will have none of this sensible logic please. This is a football forum to talk nonsense based on rumour, hearsay and the constant repetition of theories which then become officially accepted NSC facts. Any hint of trusting the club to do everything right will land you in hot water and possibly a ban.

Kindly correct your thinking immediately. Thank you.

 

[Beanstalk]

Yalcouye is far too lightweight (physically) to play the Baleba role. Would need to spend time in the gym.

I've not seen any evidence for that. To me he looks like a young Caicedo: quick, great in the tackle, two footed, and a great reader of the game. 7 Champions League starts and in the 99th percentile for tackles, interceptions and blocks in the competition so far (according to Opta). He's only just 19...

He may not be built like Baleba, but I'd argue that we don't really employ Baleba as primarily a defensive slugger, instead his role is about retaining possession and progressing the ball, something he's wonderful at and we really showcase his ability on the ball rather than rely on him to be a thug breaking up play.

Where there is a clear difference is in arial ability. Malick is not tall, and not the strongest in the air currently. A year in a squad with Baleba may improve that.

 

[Bakero]

Malick is not tall, and not the strongest in the air currently. A year in a squad with Baleba may improve that.

Will playing alongside Carlos stretch him?

 

[Beanstalk]

Will playing alongside Carlos stretch him?

He's a strong lad our Carlos. If anyone can stretch a player out, he can.

In seriousness, I think playing in the Premier League next to players of real quality is the way for young players to jump to the next level. Yalcouye is a similar height to Ayari and I think he has improved to such an extent that you wouldn't think of him as weak in the air. That comes through playing at this level and rising to the task.

When we signed Caicedo, a few tactical nerds on the internet got very excited about the idea of Bissouma and Caicedo playing alongside each other. I've got a feeling that we might have a similar dynamic next season with Malick and Carlos in the middle. Exciting times.

 

[GT49er]

He's a strong lad our Carlos. If anyone can stretch a player out, he can.

In seriousness, I think playing in the Premier League next to players of real quality is the way for young players to jump to the next level. Yalcouye is a similar height to Ayari and I think he has improved to such an extent that you wouldn't think of him as weak in the air. That comes through playing at this level and rising to the task.

When we signed Caicedo, a few tactical nerds on the internet got very excited about the idea of Bissouma and Caicedo playing alongside each other. I've got a feeling that we might have a similar dynamic next season with Malick and Carlos in the middle. Exciting times.

All of which pushes the subject of this thread further down the pecking order and nearer to a Championship loan or a sale.