Jack O'Connell

[Carlton Blade]

I know i'm just saying VVD and JOC play vastly different roles.

I know. VVD could do a right footed version (basically Bash) at least as well as JOC I believe. He's a freak athlete and superb on the ball.

JOC couldn't replicate VVD in a back 4. He's good, just not as good as VVD

 

[JohnDenver]

It's been 4 years since he played in a back 4. I think Spurs could want him, Nicolaus_Copernicus Leicester shout is possible. But I don't think the very biggest clubs would offer him a starting spot. I don't know him but from everything I've seen he'll expect to play every game

Agreed. The silly thing is, much like Jags 13 years ago, Arsenal are too stupid to buy him, whilst the other top clubs will want either younger or more experienced talent. And like you say, that leaves Leicester. I'm not convinced Spurs under Jose have any common sense. And Everton may look abroad with their new gaffer.

Whatever, I hope he stays another year. Because at risk of hyperbole, I'm not sure I'll see a better, more multifaceted, centre half in a Blades shirt in my lifetime.

 

[Bruce Wayne]

I know. VVD could do a right footed version (basically Bash) at least as well as JOC I believe. He's a freak athlete and superb on the ball.

JOC couldn't replicate VVD in a back 4. He's good, just not as good as VVD

Not sure he's built for 90 mins up and down the wing TBH

 

[Luke1993]

It's been 4 years since he played in a back 4. I think Spurs could want him, Nicolaus_Copernicus Leicester shout is possible. But I don't think the very biggest clubs would offer him a starting spot. I don't know him but from everything I've seen he'll expect to play every game

With Vertonghen probably going to Italy or Spain I could also see spurs being interested.

 

[Liaminho9]

With Vertonghen probably going to Italy or Spain I could also see spurs being interested.

They've played 3 at the back a fair few times over the last couple of seasons too.

 

[FriethBlade]

Bash is fitter than both and has made more tackles/headers than both. Don't right Bash off.

Not writing him off mate,hes been exceptional, I just dont think hes in our top 3 players to keep. After JOC and Egan I'd have Fleck, Baldock, Enda and Mcburnie n front of him

 

[itsinyerblood]

Agreed. The silly thing is, much like Jags 13 years ago, Arsenal are too stupid to buy him, whilst the other top clubs will want either younger or more experienced talent. And like you say, that leaves Leicester. I'm not convinced Spurs under Jose have any common sense. And Everton may look abroad with their new gaffer.

Whatever, I hope he stays another year. Because at risk of hyperbole, I'm not sure I'll see a better, more multifaceted, centre half in a Blades shirt in my lifetime.

Good summary of Jack JD. Thing is, as good as Jack has become, it's the fact hat we have an exceptional defence that delights me.

Just consider, there's Bash, a player that many questioned but who's gone on to justify his place as a first choice defender, then Egan who has all the attributes you could hope for and marshalls everyone effectively, then there's Jack whose got the heart of a lion and has improved to become a great CH. Then we have two great wingbacks in Baldock and Stevens. From a personal point of view I cannot praise Stevens too highly. Baldock has come on in leaps and bounds, but Enda is a supremely gifted player, in my view good enough to play in a top European side. Don't get me wrong, I'd love all of them to remain at United, they're key to our success, and when we sign a player(s) who can add the goals to match our defence's prowess in stopping the opposition from scoring, then that will be the day we see this club take strides that even outdoes the progress we've made over the last four years.

 

[FallowfieldBlade]

He’s good enough to play for them but I don’t think they spend 40million on him when Gomez and VVD are gonna be the main partnership for the foreseeable future

 

[Upton_Blade]

Then we have two great wingbacks in Baldock and Stevens. From a personal point of view I cannot praise Stevens too highly. Baldock has come on in leaps and bounds, but Enda is a supremely gifted player, in my view good enough to play in a top European side.

I can't like this point enough.

For me Enda has been an absolute revelation since we signed him and I still can't believe we got him on a free from League 2. He has stepped up the levels seamlessly and looks every bit a premier league player. I've not seen a better left back all season but for some strange reason I'm not really that worried about losing him as I think his age will put most of the top teams off. Ben Chilwell is rumoured to be this summers hot property with the bidding starting at £60m plus. If Enda was a lot younger I'd be putting him in the same bracket.

Baldock is another who has moved seamlessly up the divisions and has been one of my favourite players this season. He was always a decent defender as his speed means he's very rarely beaten that way but this season I feel his delivered and performance in the final 3rd has come on leaps and bounds. TBH the only right back I've seen this season that I would say was obviously better would be TAA.

 

[itsinyerblood]

I can't like this point enough.

For me Enda has been an absolute revelation since we signed him and I still can't believe we got him on a free from League 2. He has stepped up the levels seamlessly and looks every bit a premier league player. I've not seen a better left back all season but for some strange reason I'm not really that worried about losing him as I think his age will put most of the top teams off. Ben Chilwell is rumoured to be this summers hot property with the bidding starting at £60m plus. If Enda was a lot younger I'd be putting him in the same bracket.

Baldock is another who has moved seamlessly up the divisions and has been one of my favourite players this season. He was always a decent defender as his speed means he's very rarely beaten that way but this season I feel his delivered and performance in the final 3rd has come on leaps and bounds. TBH the only right back I've seen this season that I would say was obviously better would be TAA.

The only point I'd ask you to re-consider is the point about Enda not being in the same bracket as Ben Chilwell. To my eyes he's as good as Chilwell, the one thing that Chilwell has is that he's younger, that's all. Enda's as good, if not better, but his age might mean he remains a Blade, and we can only wish that it stays that way.

 

[SUFC Guy]

I can't like this point enough.

For me Enda has been an absolute revelation since we signed him and I still can't believe we got him on a free from League 2. He has stepped up the levels seamlessly and looks every bit a premier league player. I've not seen a better left back all season but for some strange reason I'm not really that worried about losing him as I think his age will put most of the top teams off. Ben Chilwell is rumoured to be this summers hot property with the bidding starting at £60m plus. If Enda was a lot younger I'd be putting him in the same bracket.

Baldock is another who has moved seamlessly up the divisions and has been one of my favourite players this season. He was always a decent defender as his speed means he's very rarely beaten that way but this season I feel his delivered and performance in the final 3rd has come on leaps and bounds. TBH the only right back I've seen this season that I would say was obviously better would be TAA.

Surely Andy Robinson is the best left back?

 

[Upton_Blade]

The only point I'd ask you to re-consider is the point about Enda not being in the same bracket as Ben Chilwell. To my eyes he's as good as Chilwell, the one thing that Chilwell has is that he's younger, that's all. Enda's as good, if not better, but his age might mean he remains a Blade, and we can only wish that it stays that way.

Think either I've not worded it right or you've interpreted it wrong mate. Probably option A knowing me.

I rate Enda as good as Chilwell. When I said same bracket I meant price wise if Enda was younger not ability wise

 

[Upton_Blade]

Surely Andy Robinson is the best left back?

Do you mean Andy Robertson at the bin dippers?

If so then I stand by my comment that I haven't seen a better LB than Enda all season.

Like Chilwell IMO the only thing Robertson has over Enda is his age.

 

[itsinyerblood]

Think either I've not worded it right or you've interpreted it wrong mate. Probably option A knowing me.

I rate Enda as good as Chilwell. When I said same bracket I meant price wise if Enda was younger not ability wise

Ah, sorry mate, not that it matters, but yes, ES would go for less that Chilwell there's no doubt about that. Just our good luck that we have someone this good to select.

 

[CaptainMorgans]

Good summary of Jack JD. Thing is, as good as Jack has become, it's the fact hat we have an exceptional defence that delights me.

Just consider, there's Bash, a player that many questioned but who's gone on to justify his place as a first choice defender, then Egan who has all the attributes you could hope for and marshalls everyone effectively, then there's Jack whose got the heart of a lion and has improved to become a great CH. Then we have two great wingbacks in Baldock and Stevens. From a personal point of view I cannot praise Stevens too highly. Baldock has come on in leaps and bounds, but Enda is a supremely gifted player, in my view good enough to play in a top European side. Don't get me wrong, I'd love all of them to remain at United, they're key to our success, and when we sign a player(s) who can add the goals to match our defence's prowess in stopping the opposition from scoring, then that will be the day we see this club take strides that even outdoes the progress we've made over the last four years.

The whole left hand side of our team is at a very elite level. Jack O'Connell, Enda Stevens & John Fleck are as good as anything I've seen this season, outside of City & Liverpool.

 

[CaptainMorgans]

Baldock is another who has moved seamlessly up the divisions and has been one of my favourite players this season. He was always a decent defender as his speed means he's very rarely beaten that way but this season I feel his delivered and performance in the final 3rd has come on leaps and bounds. TBH the only right back I've seen this season that I would say was obviously better would be TAA.

Baldock has been exceptional; his fitness, commitment and defending have been a highlight of the season for me.

However, his final third play (though greatly improved) still has some way to go if he's to recognise his full potential. I don't want that to sound too critical, because I believe his full potential is being (at least) involved in the England discussion.

I think he knows this himself, he's an honest lad and acknowledged that it's something he's working on after the West Ham away fixture - in which he did butcher a couple of great opportunities for us. It was great to see him score away at Norwich. Hopefully he's been studying Trent AA, Cafu & even K Freeman's games during lockdown..

 

[Upton_Blade]

Baldock has been exceptional; his fitness, commitment and defending have been a highlight of the season for me.

However, his final third play (though greatly improved) still has some way to go if he's to recognise his full potential. I don't want that to sound too critical, because I believe his full potential is being (at least) involved in the England discussion.

I think he knows this himself, he's an honest lad and acknowledged that it's something he's working on after the West Ham away fixture - in which he did butcher a couple of great opportunities for us. It was great to see him score away at Norwich.

Yeah I agree mate tbh. I felt that his delivery last season was a real weak point of his but that has improved massively this season. Still some way to go and agree about the England discussion although he's somehwat unlucky as RB is probably our strongest position.

Unfortunately due to his age, and unless he suffers a major form collapse or injury, that TAA has that spot pretty much nailed down for years to come and George isn't getting any younger.

I think the only light in the darkness so to speak would be that a lot of observers actually feel TAA's best position would be RM so maybe if that comes to fruition George may have a chance.

 

[SUFC Guy]

Do you mean Andy Robertson at the bin dippers?

If so then I stand by my comment that I haven't seen a better LB than Enda all season.

Like Chilwell IMO the only thing Robertson has over Enda is his age.

Yeah sorry mate, Robertson who I do think is better than Stevens but only just.