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

[DarrenFreemansPerm]

Another Dahoud?

No, definitely better than that, I think he’s a player who would benefit from a run in the team with Welbeck up top and Weiffer/Baleba behind.

 

[Napper]

Light as a feather

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

No, definitely better than that, I think he’s a player who would benefit from a run in the team with Welbeck up top and Weiffer/Baleba behind.

Agree, but so would Enciso, Buononotte and others….

 

[DarrenFreemansPerm]

Agree, but so would Enciso, Buononotte and others….

True, one of many.
We miss Welbeck so much.

 

[sussex_guy2k2]

He did do well versus City, but was poor against Brentford, blocked the runs of wingers, and left us exposed in midfield because of his lack of positional discipline.
Was a little better today in that respect, but to me he is really struggling with the pace and physicality.

I think @Flounce has nailed it in his posts, but if he is to play he is better further forward as isn’t strong enough defensively.

We’ll agree to disagree. I thought he was one of our better players against Brentford and looked a threat going forward and linked the play well.

He played a different role today though, and I did think he struggled with that.

 

[sussex_guy2k2]

Need to see more personally.

I’m not saying he’s set the world on fire. I don’t think any of our summer signings have, if I’m being brutally honest. But there’s some I’ve seen much more from than others, and he’s one I’m confident enough to say I’ve seen enough to believe he’ll be a very good midfielder for us once he’s settled.

 

[dbarnard]

Not sure what his role was in today's game...... seem to struggle..... but I like him.

 

[sussex_guy2k2]

Did well at Leicester as well, looking far more the part than a number of the signings.

This is the problem with Weiffer - his supposed good performances have all come away from home, so most fans won’t have seen them.

Unfortunately, his home performances have been dreadful at times.

We all want the summer signings to succeed though, so I guess we have to be patient with all of them.

 

[sussex_guy2k2]

Not sure what his role was in today's game...... seem to struggle..... but I like him.

He played in that weird high right 10 role when trying to press, almost in the role Enciso’s been playing the last couple of games but on the opposite side, whereas Ayari first half played the role further back, nearer Baleba in the defensive phase.

Both of them typically played high up when we were attacking - this system continues to cause us problems on turnovers as players are too high up the pitch, but hey ho, this is what we do now.

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

This is the problem with Weiffer - his supposed good performances have all come away from home, so most fans won’t have seen them.

Unfortunately, his home performances have been dreadful at times.

We all want the summer signings to succeed though, so I guess we have to be patient with all of them.

But he hasn’t played much at home has he?
He’s coming back from a long term injury as well.

I do feel opinion has been tainted because of the Wolves fiasco, but I’ve been fortunate enough to be at the away games and he was excellent in both of those.

 

[Seagullspoons]

Think you can add Ayari & Gruda as well. I know it's still early days for them, but I think they are way off what we need.

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

Think you can add Ayari & Gruda as well. I know it's still early days for them, but I think they are way off what we need.

Thought Ayari was great today.

 

[macbeth]

Another Dahoud?

did more in his first half hour of PL football than dahoud managed in five months

 

[sussex_guy2k2]

Think you can add Ayari & Gruda as well. I know it's still early days for them, but I think they are way off what we need.

Ayari was one of the best players on the pitch today, particularly second half.

And, as for Gruda, I genuinely believe he’ll end up being world class.

 

[Mancgull]

Thought Ayari was great today.

Excellent second half

 

[Justice]

I think Baleba and Milner are our best midfield pairing this season.

However, Milner might be ‘gone’ now. 40 next year and injured.

We need some brains, guile and most importantly, experience next to Baleba. Welcome Tolisso who probably can’t wait to get away from Lyon now that Zaha is in the dressing room!

Baleba and WBG for me.

 

[BRIGHT ON Q]

Thought Gruda did OK today but O Riley was poor, set up 1 (good) chance but did little else. Getting hauled off at half time dosnt really help him but fingers crossed he comes good.

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

Excellent second half

Thought he did well in the first as well.
Held the shape together.

 

[drew]

Ayari was one of the best players on the pitch today, particularly second half.

And, as for Gruda, I genuinely believe he’ll end up being world class.

Really? What did he do? Doesn't create chances, don't see him playing forward balls into great positions and is lightweight. Much prefer to see O'Riley than Ayari.

His free kick at Villa from just inside their half on the right summed him up. Straight forward ball into the box didn't even clear the nominal one man wall.

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

Really? What did he do? Doesn't create chances, don't see him playing forward balls into great positions and is lightweight. Much prefer to see O'Riley than Ayari.

His free kick at Villa from just inside their half on the right summed him up. Straight forward ball into the box didn't even clear the nominal one man wall.

Broke up play.
Set up chances.
Some lovely individual pieces of skill.
Kept the shape of the team together.