Martin oneil urges jeff to do more as he struggles for form

Reecey1987 · Post by **Reecey1987** » Sun Nov 18, 2018 2:01 pm

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/footb ... ssion=true" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Buxtonclaret · Post by **Buxtonclaret** » Sun Nov 18, 2018 2:09 pm

Thought he might have given us the latest on Gibson too.

cricketfieldclarets · Post by **cricketfieldclarets** » Sun Nov 18, 2018 2:27 pm

Hendrick needs to be playing regularly and in his proper position. For himself, us and Ireland.

I think he will move in the summer.

MACCA · Post by **MACCA** » Sun Nov 18, 2018 2:34 pm

He needs to be playing in CM, sadly he's 3rd if not 4th in the pecking order here.
He's no number 10 either, which does him.more harm than good playing there.

Maybe a move is what he needs, but there's no question he's offered very little for the last 2 years to warrant a regular starting birth in a premier league side.

taio · Post by **taio** » Sun Nov 18, 2018 2:41 pm

Fair points from O'Neill. He's not good enough playing as a number 10 because it's clearly not his position but has been played there far too often.

Bosscat · Post by **Bosscat** » Sun Nov 18, 2018 2:58 pm

Buxtonclaret wrote:Thought he might have given us the latest on Gibson too.

?????????

Rowls · Post by **Rowls** » Sun Nov 18, 2018 3:11 pm

Bosscat wrote:?????????

I think it's a joke based on the fact we've discovered more information from O'Neill concerning our Irish player's injuries than we have heard from inside BFC in the past few seasons.

EarbyClaret · Post by **EarbyClaret** » Sun Nov 18, 2018 3:14 pm

Being played in the 'no. 10' role at club level, which he's clearly not suited to has definitely harmed his career at all levels.

Given the personnel available to us we look a much better bet as a 4-5-1 than a 4-4-2. Assuming everyone is fit and available then I think our 3 best CMs, who compliment each other's respective strengths/weaknesses are Cork, Defour and Hendrick. Westwood is capable of doing a job covering for all 3 to a greater or lesser extent.

What's really been missing from our game this season is 'the press' whether that's because the plan/strategy has altered or the players have been unable to deliver not sure. But of our current CMs Hendrick is the best equipped for that role. The greater problem is the failure to find like-for-like replacements for Marney, Barton and Arfield who were all well drilled in delivering that type of performance week in, week out.

Stayingup · Post by **Stayingup** » Sun Nov 18, 2018 3:32 pm

EarbyClaret wrote:Being played in the 'no. 10' role at club level, which he's clearly not suited to has definitely harmed his career at all levels.

Given the personnel available to us we look a much better bet as a 4-5-1 than a 4-4-2. Assuming everyone is fit and available then I think our 3 best CMs, who compliment each other's respective strengths/weaknesses are Cork, Defour and Hendrick. Westwood is capable of doing a job covering for all 3 to a greater or lesser extent.

What's really been missing from our game this season is 'the press' whether that's because the plan/strategy has altered or the players have been unable to deliver not sure. But of our current CMs Hendrick is the best equipped for that role. The greater problem is the failure to find like-for-like replacements for Marney, Barton and Arfield who were all well drilled in delivering that type of performance week in, week out.

Playing in a No 10 role has ruined Hendricks game. He looks fragile in temperament and thought.

We're missing more than just the press with Barton. De facto outfield captain and a he'll of a competitor. Opposition hated playing against him. As regards Arfield he's not the most skilled but again what a competitor and great coverer for the full backs

jrgbfc · Post by **jrgbfc** » Sun Nov 18, 2018 4:13 pm

Feel a bit sorry for him really Dyche has hung him out to dry by repeatedly playing him out of position. A move might be best for him in the summer.

Bosscat · Post by **Bosscat** » Sun Nov 18, 2018 4:34 pm

I feel Jeff has struggled without his best mate Brady alongside him * .... so hopefully now Brady back we might see a lift in his form.

(*As well as being played in a non familiar role as an ersatz number 10.... )

Silkyskills1 · Post by **Silkyskills1** » Sun Nov 18, 2018 4:43 pm

I suspect there are a number of less than happy players with us at the moment. The togetherness developed by Dyche seems somewhat fragile.

Giftonsnoidea · Post by **Giftonsnoidea** » Sun Nov 18, 2018 4:53 pm

Thought he had a really good season last time when the team was on form, agree hes not a no.10 and shouldnt be played there again.

Does well with Cork and a Defour in a 3 with two willing wingers.

Wasnt thrilled when we signed him but theres a good player in there, just needs the right system and managing...

Iloveyoubrady · Post by **Iloveyoubrady** » Sun Nov 18, 2018 4:55 pm

I don’t understand why he was ever put at number 10 at all. Brady, Gudmundsson and arfield to a lesser extent were always better options there. Hendrick is not creative or a goal scorer, he is a centre mid.

evensteadiereddie · Post by **evensteadiereddie** » Sun Nov 18, 2018 5:50 pm

Fair comment from O'Neill.

Colburn_Claret · Post by **Colburn_Claret** » Sun Nov 18, 2018 7:15 pm

I too, think we are ruining Hendrick.
He should be starting every match, in the middle of the park, not ad a no10. If he doesn't then I wouldn't blame him if he asked to leave.
If we were playing well you could understand his commission, but we've been crap, yet the same players keep getting picked.

Long Time Lurker · Post by **Long Time Lurker** » Sun Nov 18, 2018 7:29 pm

Complete and utter tosh from O'Neill

O'Neill had his best spell as the manager of the Republic of Ireland during the 2017 Euros when he played Wes Hoolahan as an attacking midfielder with Brady and Hendrick behind.

The problem is that O'Neill has a very limited attacking pool to pick from. Hoolhan, Murphy, Long and Walters are all in the later stages of their careers. Looking to the future the team will need to freshen up their options in the final third, but they don't have anyone coming through that can do the job to the same standard.

Faced with this O'Neill has briefly tried a couple of formation changes, which initially saw Hendrick being played more defensively. Then he switched track and decided the answer to the problem was to play Hendrick out of position. In the hope that he could be developed into a creative goal scoring attacking midfielder.

Obviously, this hasn't worked out, because Jeff is not a creative goal scoring attacking midfielder and he probably never will be. He is a tenacious central midfielder with heart and a powerful box to box engine that will tick over all day. If you want him to press, hold up play or retain the ball he is a top quality option.

However, if you want him to float around the final third plucking creative inspiration out of the air and scoring for fun you are going to be disappointed. It's not because he won't give 100% trying to become what you want and need, he will do that day in and day out. It just isn't part of his natural game and asking him to do it takes him away from the position that he is most effective in.

The claim that he has lost his place in our team, because of poor form, is ludicrous. Jeff has been one of our better players this season, when he has been given a chance. Especially when he has played in centre midfield. Personally, I would put him ahead of Cork and Defour for a centre midfield spot.

Unfortunately, we are in a similar boat to the Republic of Ireland in that we don't really have an ideal candidate to fill a creative attacking midfield role. Although it should be stated that our tactics aren't geared towards that. The difference is that Sean is trying to work with what we have got. So the role Jeff is expected to play up front is not the conventional one. And more importantly Sean has always supported Hendrick and praised him for his team contribution, while other people have failed to grasp what he is being asked to do and how well he is doing it under the circumstances.

In contrast O'Neill is behaving like a complete prick. He is demanding that Jeff plays the conventional role of a goal scoring creative attacking midfielder and then demeaning him in the press, because a square peg can't be expected to fit seamlessly in a round hole. And no amount of bashing is going to change that.

The simple truth is that the primary under performer in the Republic of Ireland camp is O'Neill and it is his failure to make the best use of the resources available to him that is letting the side down.

Not having an abundance of credible forward options is a big problem, but it is down to the manager to find the most effective strategy to deal with that problem. Drawing attention to individual players in the media and trying to shift the blame onto their shoulders is cowardly and pathetic. It shows a distinct lack of class.

The fact that he is attempting to do this to one/some of our players is even more annoying. We need our players to be settled and confident. We don't need them to be upset by media outpourings from a failing manager who is grasping at excuses to disguise his own short comings.

If O'Neill isn't up to the job anymore he should admit that and step aside, making room for someone that is. That would be far more preferable than his current conduct, which is deplorable.

If anyone has a spare set of "balls" could they please post them to Martin O'Neill so he can man up.

I'm looking forward to the day that Jeff signs a new deal, because he is an important member of our team and greatly undervalued by people that should know better. We just need to bring in a new attacking midfield option. That would allow us to play him in central midfield more often. The positon that he is most effective in and more importantly the position he is happiest and most comfortable playing.

If his football future is going to be filled with more of this attacking midfield purgatory then I wouldn't blame the bloke for looking elsewhere instead of signing a new deal with us. Granted, it isn't the gaffer and the club who are putting the boot in, but it all adds up. The guy needs to play in central midfield for a spell just to give him a break from all of this unjustified and undeserved tosh.

Excessively Long Rant Over

Abridged Version: Martin O'Neil currently has no class and no clue

CombatClaret · Post by **CombatClaret** » Sun Nov 18, 2018 7:34 pm

I'm reminded of the very interesting article on Jeff as to how he played an important role just not the traditional No10 people are used to.
Hope he gets his chance either here or elsewhere. Bit of a square peg situation.
https://www.football365.com/news/forens ... f-hendrick" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

ClaretShaun · Post by **ClaretShaun** » Sun Nov 18, 2018 8:08 pm

MON is clearly as stupid as many posters on here in thinking he plays “in the hole” for Burnley, that is plays where he plays for us to create chances.

He doesn’t.

....and he doesn’t play “number 10” for Burnley. As nonsense a badge as that is anyway.

levraiclaret · Post by **levraiclaret** » Sun Nov 18, 2018 8:40 pm

Giftonsnoidea wrote:Thought he had a really good season last time when the team was on form, agree hes not a no.10 and shouldnt be played there again.

But who should have played as a no. 10, pre Vydra? Maybe Dyche was making the best of the situation.

BigChaCha · Post by **BigChaCha** » Sun Nov 18, 2018 8:50 pm

Is it time to bring in an additional attacking or skills coach?

Defenders seem to improve over time under SD (except for their passing) but how many attacking players that he's bought can you say SD has improved with regards to passing especially. In fact they have gone backwards!

Spijed · Post by **Spijed** » Sun Nov 18, 2018 8:52 pm

BigChaCha wrote:Is it time to bring in an additional attacking or skills coach?

Defenders seem to improve over time under SD (except for their passing) but how many attacking players that he's bought can you say SD has improved with regards to passing especially. In fact they have gone backwards!

Vokes and Barnes are certainly far better players than when they first joined us.

ewanrob · Post by **ewanrob** » Sun Nov 18, 2018 10:14 pm

Spijed wrote:Vokes and Barnes are certainly far better players than when they first joined us.

, the same could have been said about Scott Arfield but he was no longer looked upon as good enough...unfortunately the same now applies to those two. Far to much sentiment will be our downfall.

CharlieinNewMexico · Post by **CharlieinNewMexico** » Mon Nov 19, 2018 5:32 am

Looked decent playing deeper against Leicester. Could see him as the deeper point in a midfield triangle BEHIND defour and cork. Not the greatest tackler but energy to get around and put out fires.

Tribesmen · Post by **Tribesmen** » Mon Nov 19, 2018 7:33 am

Poor Jeff he gets it on here and also on Irish forums also . The sad thing is that he is just not up to it and more of championship is his level .

GodIsADeeJay81 · Post by **GodIsADeeJay81** » Mon Nov 19, 2018 8:35 am

Erm.....

Some really short memories on here, or ignorance, not sure which.

Has everyone forgotten that Hendrick was there to 'recycle' the ball forward originally, due to how Dyche set the team up?

He was never stuck in there as some ball playing wizard, yet some of you clearly seem to be ignorant of that.

Colburn_Claret · Post by **Colburn_Claret** » Mon Nov 19, 2018 9:41 am

GodIsADeeJay81 wrote:Erm.....

Some really short memories on here, or ignorance, not sure which.

Has everyone forgotten that Hendrick was there to 'recycle' the ball forward originally, due to how Dyche set the team up?

He was never stuck in there as some ball playing wizard, yet some of you clearly seem to be ignorant of that.

N0 ones argued what he was played there for, or that SD was making the best of the situation, only the fact that it didn't help Hendrick. He took an awful lot of stick for playing in an unnatural position.
I don't know wether we need an attacking coach, but we certainly struggle in this area. IMO it's down to the lack of movement from the forwards and wings when we have possession. Too easily marked out of the play, which is why the ball keeps going backwards or sideways. We also suffer from a lack of urgency to get the ball in the box, we look like we want to walk the ball into the net, when we clearly aren't good enough.
Early balls for the forwards to attack, you never know where the ball might fall, but if you don't put it in there you've got no chance.

HiroshimaClaret · Post by **HiroshimaClaret** » Mon Nov 19, 2018 10:32 am

As soon as we can get back to the formation with Brady and Defour from earlier last season with them fully in their stride the better. It has been painful to watch this season. Can we though? Something does NOT seem right...

Hart
Lowton Tarkowski Mee Taylor
Gudmundsson Hendrick Defour Westwood Brady
Wood

bobinho · Post by **bobinho** » Tue Nov 20, 2018 8:12 am

It was dyches own admission that Hendrick was playing in the No10 role.

There was much argument on here about that, which seemed to settle down after his comment.

Anyway, clear to a blind man on a galloping horse that Hendrick IS a good player, and IS premier league quality. But as said so many times above, just not when played out of his natural position.

Of course, SD can do as he sees fit. He’s the manager and he’s earned the right, but I do have to wonder why the insistence on giving Hendrick this role. Stubborn? Maybe. Proving a point? No.

Hendrick is a first choice starter in CM for me. Ahead of Westwood (who I like) and at this moment I’d say he’s ahead of the other two also.

piston broke · Post by **piston broke** » Tue Nov 20, 2018 8:27 am

Officially last nights Ireland MoM

Quickenthetempo · Post by **Quickenthetempo** » Tue Nov 20, 2018 8:29 am

Would you class him as more of a trier than someone with ability?

It's just he seems to get Man of the match awards on here but only when we have lost.

Not much influence on the game do you think?

Colburn_Claret · Post by **Colburn_Claret** » Tue Nov 20, 2018 8:48 am

Quickenthetempo wrote:Would you class him as more of a trier than someone with ability?

It's just he seems to get Man of the match awards on here but only when we have lost.

Not much influence on the game do you think?

Apart from Hart, who has influenced games this season. They've all flattered to deceive. Hendrick looked on form early season, yet was dropped, when he clearly didn't deserve to be. Especially when you look at the form of the players who kept their place.

I wouldn't like to argue with SD, he's been amazing for us, but there have been mistakes made this season that should be laid at his door, from team selection to style of play. I like a manager that shows faith in his players, it's good for morale, but it's a millstone round our necks at the moment.

MACCA · Post by **MACCA** » Tue Nov 20, 2018 8:56 am

Quickenthetempo wrote:Would you class him as more of a trier than someone with ability?

It's just he seems to get Man of the match awards on here but only when we have lost.

Not much influence on the game do you think?

Exactly this.

When we have a good team performance he is rarely If ever the catalyst for it.
He doesn't contribute to much in the way of match winning performances, however if we've gone down with a bit of a whimper, he's an easy MOM vote.
He runs around quite a lot, and pulls off most of his 10 yard sidewards or backward passes.

Think he got most of his player of the year points and MOM awards towards the end of last season when we tailed off.

Before that he was rock bottom for 90% of the season, he'd even been over taken by Bardsley and Nkoudou who had started about 8 games between them all season long. It was quite a damming reflection on Jeff

I thought he had actually started this season quite well, and actually thought he deserved a place over Cork in CM.
Sadly it seems if he isn't in the No10 role he's 3rd or 4th choice CM.
That begs the question, is he just "a do a job" type player for us.
I seem to recall Derby fans laughing their bits off at the fee, and the fact he got a premier league move.

I hope he can find some sort of form for us soon, whilst being played in the position he performs better in.

The Enclosure · Post by **The Enclosure** » Tue Nov 20, 2018 8:57 am

He does seem to play better when Brady is in the side with him.

Tribesmen · Post by **Tribesmen** » Tue Nov 20, 2018 11:10 am

piston broke wrote:Officially last nights Ireland MoM

Goodness PB I just hope you didn't sit and watch that doss last night .
As for MOTM

never in a 1000 years

IanMcL · Post by **IanMcL** » Tue Nov 20, 2018 1:21 pm

Burnley’s Jeff Hendrick picked up the Man of the Match award as Republic of Ireland finished their UEFA Nations League campaign with a 0-0 draw in Denmark.

We should all stop moaning and support all our heroes. Big period coming up.

claretcarrot93 · Post by **claretcarrot93** » Tue Nov 20, 2018 2:13 pm

IanMcL wrote:Burnley’s Jeff Hendrick picked up the Man of the Match award as Republic of Ireland finished their UEFA Nations League campaign with a 0-0 draw in Denmark.

We should all stop moaning and support all our heroes. Big period coming up.

If you read the official twitter comments announcing it, it doesn't read good. Gets more stick than he does on here

Spijed · Post by **Spijed** » Tue Nov 20, 2018 2:38 pm

MACCA wrote:I seem to recall Derby fans laughing their bits off at the fee, and the fact he got a premier league move.

Don't seem to recall Huddersfield fans saying Arfield was particularly good, do you?

It's the tribal nature of many supporters to say a player isn't that good when the player gets a move to a team in a far better position than they are.

boyyanno · Post by **boyyanno** » Tue Nov 20, 2018 5:51 pm

Spijed wrote:Don't seem to recall Huddersfield fans saying Arfield was particularly good, do you?

It's the tribal nature of many supporters to say a player isn't that good when the player gets a move to a team in a far better position than they are.

We got the best out of Arfield by changing his position and giving him a role that suited him within the team. We haven't done that with Hendrick, his best position is the one we rarely play him in and he's a bit inbetween for a midfielder making it difficult to accommodate him. That being said I'm sure at the time he wasn't a regular for Derby when all their other midfielders were fit, but they did have some good players.

If the interest from Leicester was not just a rumour then surely someone is seeing something in him. It hasn't worked out for him here and I'd move him on for his own good and ours and replace with someone better suited to us (or different enough to allow us to play in a different way). I would be surprised if Leicester were interested though, I think any interest would be from newly promoted teams or Championship contenders.

I've no hard feelings towards him, but you have to cut your losses at some point. I think it's fair to say it hasn't worked out and I'd be surprised if people can argue with that for the money he cost us.

SGr · Post by **SGr** » Tue Nov 20, 2018 6:11 pm

IanMcL wrote:Burnley’s Jeff Hendrick picked up the Man of the Match award as Republic of Ireland finished their UEFA Nations League campaign with a 0-0 draw in Denmark.

Should see what Ireland’s fans think of that decision

SGr · Post by **SGr** » Tue Nov 20, 2018 6:16 pm

Only excuse I’ve ever heard for Hendrick starting at 10 is “because Dyche has done it for ages”.

At number 10, Jeff Hendrick never has and never will deliver - not least consistently. It’s a position for skill and creativity, not just running around trying to chase knockdowns. He doesn’t have the required attributes.

I think he can be a good central midfielder, but we have and can do better. Fact is if we’d done summer properly, I’d have had no qualms shifting him to Leicester for 50% profit, would’ve been great business.

Spijed · Post by **Spijed** » Tue Nov 20, 2018 6:29 pm

boyyanno wrote:I've no hard feelings towards him, but you have to cut your losses at some point. I think it's fair to say it hasn't worked out and I'd be surprised if people can argue with that for the money he cost us.

Really? He's played very well at times in midfield.

If it hasn't worked out why has he played so many games under SD?

Perhaps an email to our manager might be in order then.

EarbyClaret · Post by **EarbyClaret** » Tue Nov 20, 2018 6:51 pm

34 appearances in a team that finished 7th in the PL last season - I'd say that made him an integral part of our success.

If played to his strengths in a 4-5-1 I think he'd be a regular starter, results would improve and we'd concede less goals because the CM of the team would not crumble as it has done on several occasions already this season.

Derby fans may well feel their club did well out of the deal. His price tag, taken in isolation, might have seemed excessive, however it was pretty reflective of the state of the market at that time.

Whilst in his first season (32 appearances) he made a major contribution to us staying in this division - followed by last season's incredible achievement - how were Derby getting on without him?

boyyanno · Post by **boyyanno** » Tue Nov 20, 2018 6:52 pm

Spijed wrote:Really? He's played very well at times in midfield.

If it hasn't worked out why has he played so many games under SD?

Perhaps an email to our manager might be in order then.

What a strange comment, surely someone who has an opinion on Hendrick is more likely to communicate through a series of Boo's and Jeers at a game.

Shame people can't express opinion without someone being a bellend.