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

[Safe.]

It's a squad game, our situation is nothing like Chelsea's or any of the teams who've traditionally had a lot of financial firepower.

A massive if, but if we were to get Europe too we'd be way better equipped than last year.

Having upset players is inevitable no matter the size of the squad. But if we do the whole no dickheads policy thing they should all be fighting to start. Competition for places is one of the ways in which a team can raise their level.

 

[Change at Barnham]

O'Riley, Kadioglu, Rutter and this defender from PSV?

I very much doubt we'd get all of them in, yet credible media outlets suggesting we are seriously in for all of them.

Whilst I am not against the signing of quality players, my personal view is that a lot of Chelsea's problems are down to high player turnover and big influxes of new players. I'm a bit cautious about the fact too many new players, regardless of quality, could be a bit unsettling.

I think TB and PB have accepted that our squad from the January window on was not deep enough to sustain a challenge for Europe.
Due to injury and fatigue, which I guess are related. It looks like they are putting together a squad that could field two decent Premier League teams.
Two or three of these players are already in the oven getting gently cooked ready to be sold at the end of the season for big money to continue the cycle.

 

[Safe.]

Yeah, it's a trade off: sacrifice control for goals. The question is can MoR be anywhere near as productive in the PL.

Being completely honest, how many games did gilmour actually control?

I think he's a good passer but rarely did I watch us last season and think gilmour ran that game.

 

[brighton_tom]

Im a little in your camp here... Ferdi is an absolute must as full back is a clear space but do we really need more creative midfielders and if we had them would it result in more unhappy players not getting enough game time? It's a niggle in the back of my head which Im drowning out with all the excitement. Still getting used to 'Brighton as a club known and loved all over the world'. Time was Im mentioned Brighton and people said 'who? Why don't you support a REAL team'

It’s a fair thought, but if we then shipped out Gilmour, Moder, Dahoud, Lamptey, Sima, and maybe Sarmiento, then the new players make much more sense.

 

[Guinness Boy]

Yeah, it's a trade off: sacrifice control for goals. The question is can MoR be anywhere near as productive in the PL.

And that's a fair point (also raised by @Han Solo ). The Scottish League is absolute dogshit, but our data will go way deeper than even what you've posted. We'll have been through Celtic's detailed game tagged data for sure.

EDIT: you've said there exactly what I was trying to say on the walk back to the station after the game but failing to properly convey. I said we looked like we wanted to win the game instead of the stats but sacrificing control for goals is exactly what I meant, and more concise.

 

[phoenix]

I just think the manager wants a more physical presence

 

[Ike and Tina Burner]

Looking at the side yesterday, there’s an obvious Milner shaped hole. Neither he nor WBG are ideal for that progressive CM role. And Rutter usually plays further forward. Still think we need O’Riley (or similar)

Bayern are desperate to get rid of Leon Goretzka. He'd be great and we'd only need to stump up about £15 million for his annual wages.

 

[Bakero]

Being completely honest, how many games did gilmour actually control?

I think he's a good passer but rarely did I watch us last season and think gilmour ran that game.

Last season, amongst midfielders, he was 11th for touches and 6th for passes. Very few of those passes went astray and, yes, a lot went forward. No doubt he was crucial in dictating the play.

 

[peterward]

It's on.

 

[Munchkin]

Yes, maybe he would, but not convinced about O'Riley. Fact.

Can I ask what you’ve seen from him to be ‘unconvinced’?

 

[Safe.]

Last season, amongst midfielders, he was 11th for touches and 6th for passes. Very few of those passes went astray and, yes, a lot went forward. No doubt he was crucial in dictating the play.

What do you mean by passes and touches? The amount he had compared to every other premier league player?

Even though they are nice stats (if I understand them correctly), I am not so sure it equates to him being effective enough for us to influence winning games.

I always felt he was very easy to press last season (as were the whole team) but prior to that season look how mac allister and caceido took the ball off the cb. Gilmour all round game play just doesn't add enough for me and I don't mean he has to have more goals or assists necessarily.

 

[peterward]

Some interesting comments on Celtic forum, no billy bollox stuff either like Leeds, seem a reasonable bunch.......

Kerrydale Street-Matt O'Riley || Reports: Brighton back in with a formal bid

£25m with add-ons and he'll most likely be away. I know it won't happen but take half of that and sign two midfielders, please.

kerrydalestreet.co.uk

Interstering persective from someone alleging to be ITK (but we know how these things work!)

 

[GT49er]

Can I ask what you’ve seen from him to be ‘unconvinced’?

I haven't seen anything to be convinced.

 

[Bakero]

What do you mean by passes and touches? The amount he had compared to every other premier league player?

Even though they are nice stats (if I understand them correctly), I am not so sure it equates to him being effective enough for us to influence winning games.

I always felt he was very easy to press last season (as were the whole team) but prior to that season look how mac allister and caceido took the ball off the cb. Gilmour all round game play just doesn't add enough for me and I don't mean he has to have more goals or assists necessarily.

Yes, the amount compared to other players. Having someone able to receive and pass the ball allowed us to be one of the most possession-dominant teams in the league. Having a less adept passer will have an adverse effect but hopefully this will be negated by an improvement in other areas.

Anyway, this came up as someone was suggesting Gilmour just passes sideways and backwards, which is patently untrue.

 

[SeagullinExile]

Not familiar with that Sky Sports presenter but he needs a visit from the Fashion Police....Safari shirt and a Cravat

Yup. He’s going full on Ron Burgundy style there!

 

[Whoislloydy]

This guy is the missing piece IMO. We need a midfield maestro to replace Gross. 48 of his 49 appearances last season were in CM, not CAM. With 18G/18A, mental stat even for the Scottish league. He’s also a huge improvement defensively over Gilmour.

 

[martin tyler]

Neither is Gilmour. He's in the 90th percentile, amongst midfielders, for progressive passes. But, like Rodri, he rarely gives the ball away.

I’m not saying Billy is either. In terms on keeping the ball and playing good passes he’s very good at it. Rodri is also a brilliant DM if not the best. It’s rare to find a player who is great at both.

 

[dazzer6666]

This guy is the missing piece IMO. We need a midfield maestro to replace Gross. 48 of his 49 appearances last season were in CM, not CAM. With 18G/18A, mental stat even for the Scottish league. He’s also a huge improvement defensively over Gilmour.

He’ll slot in where we played Milner on Saturday

 

[OvingdeanSeagull]

Having upset players is inevitable no matter the size of the squad. But if we do the whole no dickheads policy thing they should all be fighting to start. Competition for places is one of the ways in which a team can raise their level.

This. Great example is Leon Bailey at Villa. Came in, was average - then Villa signed Diaby and Bailey turned into a worldbeater, firing them to the CL. Now Diaby's gone to Saudi, wonder if Bailey will end up being average again.

 

[Weststander]

I like the idea of the goals and assists that O'Riley could bring but I'm wary of losing WBG care for the ball.

Stats per 90:

View attachment 187460

Have you got defensive play stats too please eg tackling success?