Teamwork

Stoke City, left-back lesson and the change Gareth Southgate must make for England vs Slovakia

29/06/2024 Raymond 0

Stoke City legend Mike Pejic is optimistic about Steven Schumacher’s recent transfer moves and extends a warm welcome to new signing Eric Bocat. Pejic is excited to see what Bocat will bring to the squad, particularly appreciating the presence of two natural left-sided players with Bocat and Enda Stevens. He emphasizes the importance of balance in any football system, whether it focuses on possession or counter-attacking.

Pejic also shares his thoughts on the England team for Euro 2024, noting their struggle to find a left-footed player for the left-back role during the tournament. He stresses the need for left-sided players to stretch teams and utilize the width of the field effectively. Reflecting on the tournament, Pejic was impressed with Georgia’s spirit, teamwork, and forward-thinking approach, highlighting their ability to work the ball out of tight areas with good support and execute swift counter-attacks.

Turning to England, Pejic envisions a lineup with Watkins up front, Saka and Foden on the flanks, Kane playing off the front, and Bellingham linking up with Kane. Rice would provide defensive stability, while Walker and Shaw support from the back. Pejic believes this balanced lineup can produce exciting and winning football, urging Gareth Southgate to trust these players against Slovakia in the last 16. He is confident that if England adheres to these principles, they can progress through the knockout stages and potentially win the tournament.

The Sunderland aspect Luke O’Nien has been proud of this season despite disappointing end

27/05/2024 Raymond 0

Luke O’Nien reflects on his position as a centre-back for Sunderland and the team’s defensive performance during the 2023/24 season. He acknowledges that Sunderland’s defensive statistics this season are commendable but believes there is still potential for improvement.

Throughout the 2023/24 campaign, the 29-year-old O’Nien started 43 league games at centre-back, frequently captaining Sunderland and often partnering with Dan Ballard. Despite setbacks from injuries to key defenders like Dennis Cirkin, Jenson Seelt, and Aji Alese, Sunderland achieved the fifth-best defensive record in the Championship. O’Nien expressed pride in the team’s defensive achievements and emphasized the importance of their strong statistics, while also stressing the need for continued improvement in the coming season.

O’Nien also spoke about the valuable contributions of Graeme Murty, the under-21s boss and former Premier League defender, who stepped up to assist the first team. He credited Murty with significantly enhancing his game both on and off the pitch, underscoring the importance of maintaining this collaboration to further develop their defensive capabilities.