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



GT49er

Well-known member
Feb 1, 2009
51,640
Gloucester
Ah apologies, I thought you were talking more about the purchasing piece. I actually think that the good sales have masked the poor ones. We got virtually nothing for Jahanbakhsh, Locadia, Tau, Andone, Kozlowski, Suttner, Clarke, Moder etc.
Absolutely - it would be unbelievable if we (or any other club) got every incoming transfer right. Sometimes you just have to move (them) on.
 






One Teddy Maybank

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Aug 4, 2006
24,648
Worthing
Totally agree. MOR has done nothing wrong and – IMO anyway – fans should get behind every player that pulls on the stripes.

I do find the whole constant acquisition and turnover of players a bit depressing, though. When I look at the hundreds of millions of pounds that are spent by clubs every transfer window, I often wonder why they don't just stick with what they'd had (within reason) for the past six or so months.

MOR is a sort of case in point, with some fans getting excited about a player that could replace him in the squad. But he's only been around for a season! I could point to loads of examples of players who have taken time to get up to their potential after moving – and especially after injury. Don't get me wrong, I like seeing new players come in, but I do also struggle with the whole football club model of constant churn of players in squads.
Don’t think it’s a case of anyone not being behind him on a matchday, unless you’ve heard different…..

Agree with the rest of your post, but I guess it’s all about gradual improvement.
 


Justice

Dangerous Idiot
Jun 21, 2012
23,159
Born In Shoreham

Totally agree. MOR has done nothing wrong and – IMO anyway – fans should get behind every player that pulls on the stripes.

I do find the whole constant acquisition and turnover of players a bit depressing, though. When I look at the hundreds of millions of pounds that are spent by clubs every transfer window, I often wonder why they don't just stick with what they'd had (within reason) for the past six or so months.

MOR is a sort of case in point, with some fans getting excited about a player that could replace him in the squad. But he's only been around for a season! I could point to loads of examples of players who have taken time to get up to their potential after moving – and especially after injury. Don't get me wrong, I like seeing new players come in, but I do also struggle with the whole football club model of constant churn of players in squads.
Plus he’s never played in his natural position as an 8 for us. Which in itself seems madness spending £25-30m on player that we had to shoe horn into other positions.
I get his injury didn’t help which may be a factor.
 


Terry Butcher Tribute Act

Well-known member
Aug 18, 2013
4,222




Greg Bobkin

Silver Seagull
May 22, 2012
17,858
Don’t think it’s a case of anyone not being behind him on a matchday, unless you’ve heard different…..

Agree with the rest of your post, but I guess it’s all about gradual improvement.
I meant in general, really. Comments such as "Bye Matt. Don't let the door hit your arse on the way out," don't really sit well with me. It's not really a nice thing to say and, IMO, is a bit of a premature conclusion as to his abilities and value to the squad.
 


METALMICKY

Well-known member
Jan 30, 2004
7,580
I meant in general, really. Comments such as "Bye Matt. Don't let the door hit your arse on the way out," don't really sit well with me. It's not really a nice thing to say and, IMO, is a bit of a premature conclusion as to his abilities and value to the squad.
I know what you are saying but what doesn't sit well with me was that public statement about being played out of position. Have that discussion with the boss in private and prove your worth after a good pre season.

I also think the clubs best of MOR video is interesting timing.
 


All Four Grounds

Active member
Apr 20, 2025
94
No change of policy at all. Dahoud, Jahanbakhsh, Tau, Andone, Locadia, Barco ............ O'Riley wouldn't be any different.
Dahoud fell out with De Zerbi, Jahanbakhsh and Tau were here for three seasons, Andone and Locadia for four and Barck hasn’t been sold yet. So it’s a misleading comparison with a player who in injury ravaged season has made 11 starts and 10 substitute appearance.
 




Moin

Member
Jun 13, 2024
14
I know what you are saying but what doesn't sit well with me was that public statement about being played out of position. Have that discussion with the boss in private and prove your worth after a good pre season.

I also think the clubs best of MOR video is interesting timing.
It wasn't a 'public statement' as much as him chatting during an interview. It was just a conversation, and was quite illuminating IMO. The over-reaction to his assessment of his season is well over the top.
 


METALMICKY

Well-known member
Jan 30, 2004
7,580
It wasn't a 'public statement' as much as him chatting during an interview. It was just a conversation, and was quite illuminating IMO. The over-reaction to his assessment of his season is well over the top.
It wasn't a statement but he knows well enough it will get put out there. I'd love him to come good I should add.
 


Machiavelli

Well-known member
Oct 11, 2013
18,660
Fiveways
Some of them we will, you have to improve rather than standstill.

Adingra, Lamptey are other examples, where okay as squad players but nothing more.
There's a clear difference between MOR and those two though. I'd be happy if we kept Lamptey. Good versatility and has different attributes to our other full backs. Good personality too.
As with FH, I think you're going to be disappointed when it becomes clear that MOR will be with us next season.
 




One Teddy Maybank

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Aug 4, 2006
24,648
Worthing
There's a clear difference between MOR and those two though. I'd be happy if we kept Lamptey. Good versatility and has different attributes to our other full backs. Good personality too.
As with FH, I think you're going to be disappointed when it becomes clear that MOR will be with us next season.
I’m not in or out on FH, as he adapted post Brentford, and in terms of what he says I actually like him.

I don’t think MOR is good enough, but again hope to be proved wrong. He is very much in the Lamptey, Adingra category for me.

Maybe controversial, but he is behind Buononotte for me. I don’t know where he plays to improve the team….
 


GT49er

Well-known member
Feb 1, 2009
51,640
Gloucester
Dahoud fell out with De Zerbi,
Who apparently was the one who wanted him in the first place.
Jahanbakhsh and Tau were here for three seasons,
Longer than they should have been.
Andone and Locadia for four -
It was hard work getting rid of them.

..........and Barck [sic] hasn’t been sold yet.

Apart from an obligation to buy on his loan deal, that is. So basically gone then.

So it’s a misleading comparison with a player who in injury ravaged season has made 11 starts and 10 substitute appearance.
We'll see.
 


All Four Grounds

Active member
Apr 20, 2025
94
Who apparently was the one who wanted him in the first place.
Yes and it that suggests that despite his mercurial coaching and man management ability (if your face fits!) the club were right to dig their heels in over retaining control of recruitment.
Longer than they should have been.
we’re never going to have a %100 success rate with transfers and we
let a certain Gyökeres go.
It was hard work getting rid of them.
You’re making hard work of it! So what if they remained on the books and out on loan? They didn’t cause any trouble.

Apart from an obligation to buy on his loan deal, that is. So basically gone then.
Really? So why hasn’t he gone and why is Chelsea sniffing around him?
 








Zeberdi

“Vorsprung durch Technik”
NSC Patron
Oct 20, 2022
8,829
Really? So why hasn’t [Barco] gone and why is Chelsea sniffing around him?

Because Strasbourg and Chelsea are owned by the same parent Company, BlueCo, headed by Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali - it’s that simple. :wink:
 


The Optimist

Well-known member
NSC Patron
Apr 6, 2008
3,403
Lewisham
Totally agree. MOR has done nothing wrong and – IMO anyway – fans should get behind every player that pulls on the stripes.

I do find the whole constant acquisition and turnover of players a bit depressing, though. When I look at the hundreds of millions of pounds that are spent by clubs every transfer window, I often wonder why they don't just stick with what they'd had (within reason) for the past six or so months.

MOR is a sort of case in point, with some fans getting excited about a player that could replace him in the squad. But he's only been around for a season! I could point to loads of examples of players who have taken time to get up to their potential after moving – and especially after injury. Don't get me wrong, I like seeing new players come in, but I do also struggle with the whole football club model of constant churn of players in squads.
You get invested in players and their progression.

For example I was looking forward to seeing how Buonanotte was going to progress this season and then boom out on loan and there are other youngsters in. You do want to see some players stay for a decent period and not just become a footballer factory.

FFP rules are possibly having an effect as every purchase is spread over the contract period and every sale is instant money (as I understand it). This makes selling and buying attractive.
 




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