He’s just not as good as some on here think he is, simple as that. JOC made him look PL quality, that’s how good he was. God do we miss him…
Remember when every Brentford fan on their forum insisted that Egan and O'Connell were (at best) average Championship standard, so they wouldn't be missed.
I've had this theory from the beginning as all the evidence suggests it true,
Our central 3 of O'Connell, Egan and Basham were always top end league 1 to mid/ lower Championship standard.
However O'Connell is a more than decent left back with a great engine, with an excellent cross from the left hand side
so playing the overlapping left centre back role he's one of the best in the country. This role plays to his strength and covers up his weakneses.
Basham is Mr Versitile, half decent centre back, half decent right back and half decent midfielder with a great engine.
Again the overlapping centre back role was designed for him and he was one of the best in the country at it.
The role plays to Basham strengths and covers up his weaknesses.
No one would ever think a centre back would be making forward runs into attack, remember the Leeds away goal.
And regards Egan he's always been (at best) average Championship standard in a two but put him playing in the centre of a THREE and he's very good, the pressure is off and he's just there to sweep up/ cover any mistakes made by the other 2 centre backs.
The defensive 3 of O'Connell, Egan and Basham kept so many clean sheets, even at Premier League level.
It's amazing to imagine that 2 of Europes best teams Liverpool and Man City both failed to create many chances during our return season in the PL.
Playing under Wilder it's the best defence we've had in decades, so that something all 3 should be really proud about.