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

[Napper]

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 half decent today but agree isn’t up to it

Gruda . Not seen it yet . Seems powder puff and slow . Can see him producing magic though . Potentially buonotte of 2 years ago perhaps

 

[DarrenFreemansPerm]

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.

Broadly I agree, I just want see more as you can see the talent is there.
The chap who stands next to me asked me this evening, can you really say that any of our new summer signings have been brilliant thus far? We’ve seen flashes from lots of them but it’s been largely inconsistent from most. If pushed I’d probably pick Georginio as our most consistent of the summer signings.

 

[pigmanovich]

I would have left O Riley on as a CM and replaced Ayari with Rutter, using him as a 10, but I’m not the gaffer and the substitutions had the desired effect.

 

[DarrenFreemansPerm]

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.

Ayari was getting better with every passing minute, second half he was excellent.
Can’t help but feel Gruda’s skill set would be best used as a 10.

 

[GT49er]

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.

.Exactly. That is the problem.

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

I would have left O Riley on as a CM and replaced Ayari with Rutter, using him as a 10, but I’m not the gaffer and the substitutions had the desired effect.

Blimey…..
Thought Fab got the subs right, it was just the starters IMO….

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

Ayari was getting better with every passing minute, second half he was excellent.
Can’t help but feel Gruda’s skill set would be best used as a 10.

Agree…… another one.

Gruda is really skilful and clever on the ball.
A little light but he’ll get stronger.

 

[pigmanovich]

Blimey…..
Thought Fab got the subs right, it was just the starters IMO….

I rate Ayari and I agree that he grew into the game during the second half, but that’s what I wanted to see at halftime.

 

[One Teddy Maybank]

I rate Ayari and I agree that he grew into the game during the second half, but that’s what I wanted to see at halftime.

We called O’Riley, but we’d have also had Adingra off for Mitoma.

 

[pigmanovich]

We called O’Riley, but we’d have also had Adingra off for Mitoma.

Same

 

[sussex_guy2k2]

Ayari was getting better with every passing minute, second half he was excellent.
Can’t help but feel Gruda’s skill set would be best used as a 10.

I totally agree with that. He’s not a RW if there’s a defensive full back behind him.

 

[Perkino]

I'm really interested to see how Gomez fits into the squad. Looks a great player

 

[dstanman]

He a bit like Moder at the moment, nice touches here and there but not consistent enough at present. Sure he will become good in time

 

[tstanbur]

I'm really interested to see how Gomez fits into the squad. Looks a great player

They all look great til they play in the Premier League.

It’s an absolutely massive step up.

 

[AstroSloth]

Still feels a bit of an odd one. If he was any good why did Celtic sign him when he was at mk dons. And why did Fulham release him in the first place.

Different players but Wieffer looks a lot better to me.

Why did Chelsea let Musiala go?

Why did City let Sancho go to Dortmund?

Why did we let Gyokeres go to Coventry?

There's always going to be young players who leave a club and are a success elsewhere.

 

[GT49er]

I totally agree with that. He’s not a RW if there’s a defensive full back behind him.

With Gomez coming in - not to mention talk of Yalcouye being recalled from Sturm Graz - will we have room for all six of our newbies in the second half of the season? Maybe we'll loan out one or two to acclimatise to playing in England elsewhere for half a season - O'Riley maybe? Or Gruda perhaps?

 

[Soton Seagull]

Clearly a player there in O'Riley. Difficult start and has a bit of Enciso about him:

'Please sir can I play up front and ignore my midfield defensive duties?'

'No Matt, you're not a striker. Stick to your role'

'But I really really like shooting; tackling is really boring'.

Etc etc

 

[trueblue]

I really like O'Riley. Not been able to establish himself in an ever-changing team just yet but he gets in great positions and will make things happen I reckon. Should get a fair amount of goals too.

 

[Oh_aye]

Broadly I agree, I just want see more as you can see the talent is there.
The chap who stands next to me asked me this evening, can you really say that any of our new summer signings have been brilliant thus far? We’ve seen flashes from lots of them but it’s been largely inconsistent from most. If pushed I’d probably pick Georginio as our most consistent of the summer signings.

Correct. On the plus side, they have all, genuinely shown that they have something good about them. In the old days you just wouldn't have to prove yourself in 3 months.

I genuinely think we'll have some crackers on our hands. And we'll make a profit on most / the others.

I'm sticking to my 'Gruda being the pick' shout, even if he's not totally showing it now.

 

[The Fits]

He came off at HT. That says it all.
He needs time to regain fitness, build his confidence and he desperately needs 6 months or so of serious gym work but it will come.