Shrimpsvoices

Couple of minutes into the game against Fleetwood and O’Connor apparently did something that I didn’t notice and a supporter, I’ve had discussions about the captain with a few times, was all over him. “Still think the same now Mike? He’s dreadful”. I defended him again because I clearly don’t see what he sees and never have. But again he proved it on the pitch and did the job for me.

Clearly playing with an injury, I thought he was still superb with a number of vital tackles and blocks. His leadership on the pitch was there for all to see and he was completely pumped up at the end.

Oh and he also played the ball to Cole for his last minute insane goal winner.

Hopefully shut a few more people up.

Agreed - I think he’s been a bit of a scapegoat.

Credit where credit is due and AO'C has improved no question.....just wish he would show a bit of emotion in his post match interviews.

A big test for him and his fellow defenders in the next 2 home games.

agreed, to much is made of the captaincy job, its Robbo on the touchline who shouts orders.

For me, he hasn’t improved, he was excellent against Shrewsbury, Rotherham, Lincoln etc, he has found some form again.

I don't think we have had a defender like him since Mark Hughes. Some of the blocks yesterday were both brilliant and brave. He chucks himself in the way with perfect timing time and again. His distribution is good and he reads the game well. I do think he looks a bit nervous when the ball is coming towards him in the air but I think that is more to do with the way he moves.

His reaction at the end was brilliant

Freez wrote:For me, he hasn’t improved, he was excellent against Shrewsbury, Rotherham, Lincoln etc, he has found some form again.

Agreed, Ant was brilliant yesterday and has been good all season. It’s his centre half partner that needs work. Also, bringing in McLaughlin for Cooney at right back has definitely shored up the defence with his experience and calm head.

O'Connor was brilliant on Saturday, and his passion was clear to be seen at the end, he came over and high five'd all the fans down by pitch side. He was solid as a rock, hopefully a coming of age game for him as captain. Roll on Tuesday.

O'Connor's problem (with the fans) is that he doesn't look as if he's working hard, because he has a very calm/composed manner about him. I've not met the guy, but he gives me the impression of being very thoughtful with his actions rather than running about like a headless chicken, and that may give the impression of lack of emotion/aggression, etc. I've kept my eye on him off the ball quite a lot and I think he's very good at reading the game, watching the opposition players, etc., which means he's often read what's about to happen and doesn't have to do heroics/acrobatics etc because he's already in the right position to tackle/block, etc. I think the bigger problem is his centre back partner (whether Wootton or Delaney) as both seem a bit weak so O'Connor has to cover for them too, which is a tough ask. Yes, I fully accept that his marking/tackling/clearing from set pieces isn't his strong point, but again, there aren't many other current players who can do that well either at the moment. If he'd have playing alongside Sam, we'd have a really solid pairing, but alongside weak partners, it makes him look weak too simply because of covering for them. Let's hope we can get a solid centre back in the transfer window and then hopefully see a vast improvement in defence.

My only issue with him is that when he plays the ball forward he tries a little chip shot which often goes to the opposition and they attack us on the break, it happened in the first half at Fleetwood a couple of times.

Excellent again today and a good goal. Three superb blocking tackles too where he came out with the ball.

I’m not his agent BTW.

Leadership in the heat of the action isn’t shouting, shouting is for effect. Actions, behaviour, consistency, a calm head and bravery are what people follow. It’s a flaw in football that some shouters are considered leaders, but an understandable one, as the traits that matter most are often less audible or visible.

JTW wrote:Leadership in the heat of the action isn’t shouting, shouting is for effect. Actions, behaviour, consistency, a calm head and bravery are what people follow. It’s a flaw in football that some shouters are considered leaders, but an understandable one, as the traits that matter most are often less audible or visible.

Agreed. The headlights attract attention but the engine does the work!

I don't think we should regard O'Connor as our weakest link. We are very weak in goal - both goals last night were goalkeeping errors and our wide men generally are not good enough. Ayunga sometimes flatters to deceive but seldom delivers any quality.

I have watched Anthony carefully for the last few matches and the number of blocks he gets in is vital and he showed great leadership especially last night when 2-0 down.

We need someone to partner him and look just as solid.

Very impressed with Leigh and McLaughlin , Cooney and Gibson will have to work really hard to get back in the team.

The goal keeping position is a real problem and it will be interesting to see if Martin Foyle finds us a gem from his contacts.

Agree Ryan and Greg have been the finds of the season wasn't Ryan sat at home with no club for this year but has just slotted into a league one side easily.

If you had told me that Gibson and Cooney would be 2nd choice fullbacks at the start of the season I wouldn't have believed it.

Just need to get a better understanding between the 2 CB's and thee keeper.

Have to admit that he was excellent last night but needs a dominant partner alongside who can command the air.

Still not vocal enough for me but otherwise excellent.

Mark Hughes was hammered on here for bullying because he was deemed overly vocal and aggressive towards other players. He was a top L2 centre back. AOC is getting stick from the reactionary few on here for not being vocal enough despite the fact he is a very good L1 defender.

BerlinWaller wrote:Mark Hughes was hammered on here for bullying because he was deemed overly vocal and aggressive towards other players. He was a top L2 centre back. AOC is getting stick from the reactionary few on here for not being vocal enough despite the fact he is a very good L1 defender.

Our excellent manager has said numerous time that as a team we are far too quiet....and that for me includes AOC although his game has improved of late.....but he needs a dominant and forceful central defender as a partner.

redrobo wrote:

BerlinWaller wrote:Mark Hughes was hammered on here for bullying because he was deemed overly vocal and aggressive towards other players. He was a top L2 centre back. AOC is getting stick from the reactionary few on here for not being vocal enough despite the fact he is a very good L1 defender.

Our excellent manager has said numerous time that as a team we are far too quiet....and that for me includes AOC although his game has improved of late.....but he needs a dominant and forceful central defender as a partner.

The team is quiet but you seem intent on digging out AOC every game even though he is one of our top performers

BerlinWaller wrote:

redrobo wrote:

BerlinWaller wrote:Mark Hughes was hammered on here for bullying because he was deemed overly vocal and aggressive towards other players. He was a top L2 centre back. AOC is getting stick from the reactionary few on here for not being vocal enough despite the fact he is a very good L1 defender.

Our excellent manager has said numerous time that as a team we are far too quiet....and that for me includes AOC although his game has improved of late.....but he needs a dominant and forceful central defender as a partner.

The team is quiet but you seem intent on digging out AOC every game even though he is one of our top performers

How many more times do I have to say it .....AOC has been excellent of late....but I'm not going to stop repeating myself about how quiet he appears to be on the pitch BUT he isn't the only one....

He could be a deaf mute for me as long as he keeps reading the game and playing as well as he has lately!

Missing from previous two squads, seen a few mentions of it being due to illness. Does he come straight back into the squad if so? He does have a bit of a history with Derek, could there be something in that?

vvm wrote:Missing from previous two squads, seen a few mentions of it being due to illness. Does he come straight back into the squad if so? He does have a bit of a history with Derek, could there be something in that?

What history? Derek's never managed him before. He was released by Bradford on 12th May, Derek wasn't appointed till 4th June.

I know there were a few theories banded about that Derek had a hand in their retained list, but there are no legitimate facts to back this up. And Derek has previously come out and said that he didn't have a hand in it.

vvm wrote:Missing from previous two squads, seen a few mentions of it being due to illness. Does he come straight back into the squad if so? He does have a bit of a history with Derek, could there be something in that?

Most certainly NOT.

Why change a back line just to accommodate one player even if he is the club's captain.

DA picked a back 4 which in the 2 games has performed very well.

Tuesday night they were under the cosh from minute one but stood up to it very well albeit aided by Mr Carson.

You don't change a winning formation whatever the circumstances.