CONFIRMED Chris O'Grady

[judge]

. I can't readily accept, however, the apparent perverse desire amongst some of us to undermine our revival. It is self-destructive isn't it?[/QUOTE]not really no
they are just people's opinions on an Internet forum on Sheffield United

 

[diplomat]

If it means I don't have to watch Baxter doing a half arsed job of leading the line I'm over the moon.

 

[itsinyerblood]

Here's a Brighton fan's opinion of O'Grady:

http://pgfreelance.com/brighton-chris-ogrady-form/

That's fair Bergen. One fan's opinion of what COG contributed. We'll all be better informed within a few weeks. Sometimes players just don't fit at certain clubs, let's hope COG adds to what this team needs, a threat going forward.

 

[Bergen Blade]

That's fair Bergen. One fan's opinion of what COG contributed. We'll all be better informed within a few weeks. Sometimes players just don't fit at certain clubs, let's hope COG adds to what this team needs, a threat going forward.

See post #330 for my own thoughts.

 

[Pinchy]

I think Brighton was a poor choice for O'Grady. When I watched them a couple of years back at Nottingham Forest they looked like a continental team, more than an English. Sami Hyypiä said he was going to try make them more direct, but I don't think he's succeeded. I watched them once this season, at Watford. O'Grady did ok, but they didn't use him as often as he would have liked, and he looked like he didn't quite fit in.

We've also been too slow at times this season, but I think that's partly due to us not quite finding the right balance in our team selections. The likes of Scougall, Murphy and JCR are more suited to a high tempo game than a slow, patient build up. So too is O'Grady. He's an honest and hard working striker who relies on his athleticism, not his silky skills, a bit like Ade Akinbiyi did before he went downhill and signed for us. I'm quite positive about him. Hopefully he'll get a good start and get his confidence back.

I agree almost entirely. My one reservation is that COG is not a traditional target man in the sense of regularly winning aerial battles in open play against giant centre backs. He likes the ball played to him below head height then uses his strength and technique (he has a good touch though I agree 'silky' would flatter him.

There is no need to and we mustn't (and we won't under NC) abandon our passing game; it will just become more effective with a better COG in the gears!

 

[Canterbury Blade]

A great signing... He adds difference to what we've got and will play the others in. Our midfielders over the last few games have started to buzz and have needed either an outlet or someone to bring them into the attacking game. COG will provide that and dare I say it potentially be someone to directly play off Higdon. Yes, some can be critical and want other players, but realistically will we get better? A great signing.

 

[Bergen Blade]

I agree almost entirely. My one reservation is that COG is not a traditional target man in the sense of regularly winning aerial battles in open play against giant centre backs. He likes the ball played to him below head height then uses his strength and technique (he has a good touch though I agree 'silky' would flatter him.

There is no need to and we mustn't (and we won't under NC) abandon our passing game; it will just become more effective with a better COG in the gears!

I've never said O'Grady is a target man in the sense you describe?

 

[judge]

I've never said O'Grady is a target man in the sense you describe?

Just leave him to.it mate he's like a dog howling at the moon

 

[Pinchy]

I've never said O'Grady is a target man in the sense you describe?

Did you not? Good, then I agree entirely.

 

[Jonboy60]

That's a bit worrying. The description of their playing style reminded me of what Clough is sometimes after. But since Clough has been after O'Grady for so long let's hope he has specific plans on how to use him effectively.

Based on the assessment, not as a lone striker.

 

[Jonboy60]

Pleased with the signing but don't think he is much of a goal scorer - hos season with Barnsley (15 goals) is the only time he has scored over this amount in his career. However if he can hold the ball up, win headers and bring others into play and work hard for the team hopefully some of others (Baxter, Murphy etc) will get more space/chances.

Interesting that Peterboro signed Mackail Smith; a player I have always like (not sure why they have signed MacLean - poor player for me). Preston have signed Beckford and Bristol Matt Smith from Fulham (Bristol were physical at the Lane; having him and Wilbraham will make them very hard to defend against - direct but effective).

Still feel we lack raw pace up the top and still with Wallace always injured need another consistent central midfielder we can real on for me to play alongside Doyle and Baxter/Scougall just in front.

Didn't Mackail smith and Maclean play together with Peterborough a few seasons ago.

 

[cooperblade]

At last a decent striker, let's hope he starts against Notts Co. He should be raring to go, I don't want to be sat their tomorrow at the 70 minute mark one down with all the forwards still on the bench.

Drop Scougall play Baxter behind O'Grady and ATTACK!

I wouldn't drop Scougall, I'd set up the rest of the midfield to help utilise him better.

Think our attacking play would be improved by moving Basham to the back. He's better on the ball than McCarthy so would re-introduce the option of a centre back carrying the ball up the pitch and dragging the opposition out of position and moving him from midfield allows us to get another passer in there.

I'd either go with Baxter or Wallace as the holding player and have the other one alongside Scougall further forward. Flynn on the right (think we'd need his extra defensive capabilities with no Doyle / Basham in there), Murphy on the left and O'Grady up top.

With Harris getting forward from LB, that's a team with loads of attacking intent and ability (plus strong options from the bench - Higdon, McNulty, JCR, Reed etc).

Starting to look like a promotion side in theory, just need it to click on the pitch.

 

[JohnDenver]

I wouldn't drop Scougall, I'd set up the rest of the midfield to help utilise him better.

Think our attacking play would be improved by moving Basham to the back. He's better on the ball than McCarthy so would re-introduce the option of a centre back carrying the ball up the pitch and dragging the opposition out of position and moving him from midfield allows us to get another passer in there.

I'd either go with Baxter or Wallace as the holding player and have the other one alongside Scougall further forward. Flynn on the right (think we'd need his extra defensive capabilities with no Doyle / Basham in there), Murphy on the left and O'Grady up top.

With Harris getting forward from LB, that's a team with loads of attacking intent and ability (plus strong options from the bench - Higdon, McNulty, JCR, Reed etc).

Starting to look like a promotion side in theory, just need it to click on the pitch.

Agreed on Scougall. Since Coady left he's had the burden of providing the movement and attacking intent from midfield. Basham's shown himself to be unsuited to the role and Wallace hasn't got sufficiently fit, so it's all been down to him.

 

[SwindonBladeJnr]

Here's a Brighton fan's opinion of O'Grady:

http://pgfreelance.com/brighton-chris-ogrady-form/

Not very promising reading is it?

However, any player that has had as many clubs as O'Grady is likely to have spells like that I would say. It doesn't concern me too much and I'm hopeful he will be a good addition.

I'm personally going to try something really radical and wait until he's played a bit for us before making a judgment.

 

[mark hones]

Seem to remember Pinchy wanking furiously over David Weir, and making one of his beyond question statements that Weir would get us promoted. Hope your judgement's better this time oh deluded one, your track record aint that sparkling

 

[mark hones]

Classicly incorrect, what you've mistaken is that this was a statement of the factual. Nothing to do with arrogant comment, just an observation based on how things are, not what some of us would selectively believe to be true.

Fucking hell

 

[robbiez666]

Why farcical?

In the January before the Prince we had to sell Blackman in order to bring in Barry Robson and Jonathan Forte. It was a one out before any in basis. In the following summer and throughout last season we hired and fired David weir. Brought in baxter scougall Brayford coady harris etc. All for fees or high wages. Not to mention hiring Clough and his backroom staff who definitely weren't cheap.

This season we've brought in Alcock JCR Wallace Higdon McNulty Davies Butler McCarthy Basham Mceveley.

If you can't see that the Prince has changed us you may as well believe in father christmas.

you are joking, right? The business we've done this year is hardly any different to the kind of business we did before the Prince arrived. Plus we've sold Harry. On the football front I see very little difference. Maybe a couple more free/cheap players.

 

[PeterNdlovu081]

GOG is the only striker , i have seen give Harry the run around, when he was playing for Barnsley

When?

 

[cahill]

Not so long ago we were beside ourselves with joy at the signing of Higden/Higdon (sic) . You'd have thought "Messiah has come "and that we were nailed on for promotion.

Agree that anyone releasing Baxter to do his proper job is welcomed. Here's hoping for COG. The Dingles aren't pleased. Good sign

 

[cahill]

When?

Not played them for 3 seasons before this one

 

[Woodwardfan]

Totally agree. For us it's a case of debt free 3rd division club with mega rich Prince on board signing a 3rd division striker, now if that's not ambition I don't know what is

just for two months don't forget.

 

[Woodwardfan]

If people are looking for their "dream striker" they will be disappointed with O'Grady. He's workmanlike, busy, honest and maybe will have been termed a "journeyman" at times in his career. His goalscoring record is OK but that's all and at modest levels of the game overall. He's not fast and not that skillfull.

However, I reckon he's exactly what we need if we continue to play 4-5-1. He's the "1" who will work, work, work, have that presence, be a right handful for defenders, be in the right place at the right time, and use his experience to play in the likes of Scougall and Murphy. He's 6ft 1" and solid and knows his way around.

Wednesday fans loved him and so did Barnsley fans. I think his attitude will teach the young players like Baxter, Scougall, Murphy, McNulty a lot.

How many goals will he score by the end of January? Maybe 3 perhaps, but it's how many games we win that matters.

 

[mattbianco1]

you are joking, right? The business we've done this year is hardly any different to the kind of business we did before the Prince arrived. Plus we've sold Harry. On the football front I see very little difference. Maybe a couple more free/cheap players.

Don't forget to leave a mince pie out on the 24th

 

[wizadry]

You mean they'll be vying for the striker on the bench spot? Bit of a nonsense comparison that mate, Porter never plays.

It's all about the formation now, will Cloughie grow a pair and use his loan (lone?) striker, or will he stick with his stifling tactics. We signed a striker, get the fucker used.

I could have sworn Porter was a member of our squad,infact i'm positive he is so i wouldn't say it's nonsense really.Porter doesn't play whereas COG will,so that has to be better because we have a different,and certainly better option than guess who?.........................that's right,you got it,Chris Porter.

As others have elluded too,Baxter will play in his best position now so i will have no excuses to give to sitwell when he isn't pulling his weightWe will see 2 up top,but it will only be on the rare occasion.A bit like somebody praising a Clough signing

 

[wizadry]

Yes, but the choice wasn't "Porter or O'Grady". We already had Porter. The choice was O'Grady or any other striker who might be available.

I'm seeing people on Twitter saying that signing this non-scoring striker is somehow promotion in the bag. These comments leave me dumbfounded. O'Grady is average and people's excitement over him really is confusing. I can only think that it must be because we've been promised a striker for so long and we've finally got one.

O'Grady certainly isn't a statement of intent. Not the sort of statement I wanted us to make, anyway.

And before anybody makes another hilarious comment about Aguero or similar not being available, don't bother. The striker quality scale doesn't go "O'Halloran - Porter - O'Grady - Aguero". If you don't think there is a level of ability in between O'Grady and Aguero, you really don't understand football.

I'm not sure,like you've said yourself,who else is out their for us to have a punt on so i don't really know what to say to that mate.See my above post regarding Ports and COG.

I can assure you that i'm happy with this because i rate him as a player,especially in this division and wanted him from the start of the season,not because we've been promised a striker and finally got one,the club don't get me that easily but i'm genuinely happy with this one,he'll do a cracking job and i don't need to add anything to what's already been said about him.I don't go on twatter 'btw'.

I agree that our intent hasn't been great from the outset but when i look back at it,it hasn't been the worst either.We're ticking along steadily enough for me to be content,and trust me mate,i'm one of the first to moan when things aren't going right for us.

I don't really know what or who your talking about regarding the Aguero and COG comparison,iv'e never said anything along them lines.

 

[Dkc]

Brighton fans on COG

http://www.northstandchat.com/showt...heffield-United-on-loan/page8&highlight=grady

 

[Isiah]

I see COG as an excellent addition to our squad but do not expect 20 goals a season from him. He will however potentially be the man to bring an additional 20 goals a season out of those around him.
NC has been criticised for claiming that we have goals in our midfield and don't need a 20 goal a season striker.
I think once COG establishes himself and the likes of Baxter, Murphy, Scoogs and Flynie switch on to how best to play with him, we will see what NC was talking about.

 

[jt64]

I see COG as an excellent addition to our squad but do not expect 20 goals a season from him. He will however potentially be the man to bring an additional 20 goals a season out of those around him.
NC has been criticised for claiming that we have goals in our midfield and don't need a 20 goal a season striker.
I think once COG establishes himself and the likes of Baxter, Murphy, Scoogs and Flynie switch on to how best to play with him, we will see what NC was talking about.

this, absolutely

somewhat indifferent, i would have thought what we have could produce the above, would like to be proven wrong

 

[Swanseablade]

The part where Pinchy referred to me as arrogant wasn't factual. In no way was my post arrogant.

He then goes on to imply his opinion is more valid than mine because he's been watching football for longer than I've been alive. A somewhat arrogant suggestion, if you ask me.

I've said on here before, I don't ask anybody to agree with me, just to see why my opinion is what it is.

So, with that in mind, I'll explain, without a hint of arrogance, why I feel the way I do about this signing.

My disappointment stems from the fact that we have been told we have good money to spend. In my opinion, this means we should be looking at better players, with better goal scoring records at this level, than O'Grady. His previous record of just under a goal every four games is another factor that adds to my lack of excitement. He isn't the proven player I was hoping we'd sign.

I don't dislike O'Grady, despite a couple of clubs he's played for, so there is no personal vendetta, I just don't rate his as a footballer, from what I've seen of him and his previous record.

I hope he does turn out to be a gem, but at 28 years of age, he won't improve on his existing ability. If we were going for an experienced player, I'd rather it have been one doing well in this division or the one below. A greater statement of intent would have been to take a rival's best player.

If Chris O'Grady proves me wrong and bags a goal every other game or better, I will be very pleased, but I just don't see him as being a better option than Higdon or McNulty. I actually think we would have been better spending the money on an attacking right back and playing the latter two as an attacking duo.

Feel free to disagree, but please don't accuse me of arrogance.

Spot on.

 

[super_pig]

this guy is going to have to be Jesus atm