Eoghan O’Connell

He's head and shoulders above Boyata and Efe for me but well behind Erik Jozo and Kolo

 

Perhaps but he's 21, only a year younger than Jozo. Just don't think he has the talent required.

 

Oh. Thought he was younger.

 

Thats about it though, and I think the board might just think we can punt Boyata if he keeps getting in that Belgium squad.

 

Surely he's not still being selected for their squads?

 

What's the story with O'Connell?

Performed pretty well in a few games at the beginning of the season. Had a shaky game or two (I think he was at fault for a goal against Beer Sheva and then when we played St.Johnstone) but he has been completely frozen out since then which seems harsh.

Was he that bad that he needed to go from being a starting central defender to not playing in months? I don't think he's quite good enough to be starting for us, but I would have thought given some of his decent performances in some pretty big games that he would have featured a little bit more.

The game away to Kille where Boyata started being a good example.

 

Think he will get a few appearances come end of season, next season we may see a little more of him also. This season was probably more about getting an established first team in place. Toure wasn't brought in for the long term, I guess you could even say O'Connell is his understudy.

But aye, felt he done well in his games at the start of the season, we were in dire straits though, without Simunovic and Kolo.

 

Unfortunately from what we have seen, I don't really get the impression that he is good enough. I'd love him to prove me wrong though.

 

Not good enough.

He did a decent job at the start of the season when we were struggling for numbers, but I always feel nervous with him in defence. He has a knack of sloppily losing possession in dangerous areas, and he has zero pace.

 

I'd definitely trust him in the League & Cups. Think he's a decent defender and not bad on the ball. He just needs games to grow and develop and I don't think he'll get it here.

I'd be happy to have him around as a back-up. I like having academy players around the first team, but I don't think he'll oust Jozo or Erik at any point.

 

He's never going to be a world beater but he is decent back up behind Simunovic, Sviatchenko and Toure. That's all he can hope for. To be honest, if he's happy with that, so am I.

We should be looking to punt Boyata and Ambrose. Should be a priority in January, failing that, summer at the very latest. Ambrose's contract expires then I think anyway so cheerio.

I think by next summer our views may change and we may look to improve on O'Connell. At the moment though, he's a good enough back up.

 

Can't say I ever noticed him having a serious lack of pace but I would agree that he does tend to give possession away sloppily at times. That's mainly due to decision making though which is something that can be worked on. He is only 21 which is particularly young for a central defender. I'm not sure he'll ever be good enough to become a starter for us, just thought it was unusual how he went from being in the team to absolutely nowhere to be seen very suddenly.

That's what I find most exciting about Simunovic, he's only 22 himself but plays as though he's got much more experience. Bodes well for the future.

 

Get him out on loan, needs games.

 

yep if recent history (last 20 years) says anything it says our youths need to be spectacular to get into and stay in the team

get him out on loan preferably championship or league 1, gets regular games and grows into the position against good competition down south, what good is it sitting rotting away in the reserves, our prospects need to be playing at the highest level they can get a game at, if not for us or they imo get stunted

 

Well him or Ambrose...

 

But he played just once under Ronny isn't it? Was Ronny who never considered him as an alternative and preferred to keep playing Ambrose

 

What happened to the Killie loan this January? The revealed it when we were last at Rugby Park on the Friday night..

Some harsh comments in here. Think he showed up very well pre season and in the qualifiers he played, away in Astana. Was impressed with his positioning and confidence to pass out from the back, the more he played..

He'll do ok somewhere..

 

could be going to Hibs on loan.

http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2017/01/0...-pair-nir-bitton-and-eoghan-oconnell-are-att/

 

says who