Chiedozie Ogbene M Ipswich b.1997

[passinginterest]

Won a pen that put Luton 3-2 up at Newcastle. Destroying Dan Burn in the process. Just saw some highlights of his first half performance and he seems to have been giving them nightmares all game. Love to see it. It’s 4-2 Luton now and Newcastle have just taken Burn off.

[seanfhear]

Won a pen that put Luton 3-2 up at Newcastle. Destroying Dan Burn in the process. Just saw some highlights of his first half performance and he seems to have been giving them nightmares all game. Love to see it. It’s 4-2 Luton now and Newcastle have just taken Burn off.
Newcastle are very erratic ~ Newcastle are a strange football club and have been for years.

[pateen]

Newcastle are very erratic ~ Newcastle are a strange football club and have been for years.

Yeah but this is an Ogbene thread not a Newcastle one

[Olé Olé]

Yeah, let's keep it to the Cork man.

[texidub]

Ogbene pops up from Foot.ie page 3 obscurity to score against Liverpool tonight.

[tetsujin1979]

1760391583684231548

[SkStu]

Not watching today but it seems like the Kelleher thread might be lighting up again too. A lot of commentary that he should have done better... nowhere close to Alison etc...

What a season Chie-o is having though.

[JR89]

Has been impressive since making the switch to RWB for Luton.

[texidub]

Not watching today but it seems like the Kelleher thread might be lighting up again too. A lot of commentary that he should have done better... nowhere close to Alison etc...

What a season Chie-o is having though.

Kelleher could have done better for the goal, but in fairness his distribution has been really good at times.

[Razors left peg]

Not watching today but it seems like the Kelleher thread might be lighting up again too. A lot of commentary that he should have done better... nowhere close to Alison etc...

What a season Chie-o is having though.

Ah in fairness I think Kelleher got unlucky where the ball bounced off him. It landed right on Ogbenes head basically

[SkStu]

Ah in fairness I think Kelleher got unlucky where the ball bounced off him. It landed right on Ogbenes head basically

Take it up with twitter/BBC!! :D

[elatedscum]

i mentioned on the kelleher thread that i was at the game. Ogbene was excellent in the first half. Absolutely skinned Joe Gomez on 4 occasions - Klopp mentioned it in his post-match interview, how Liverpool started well and then there started being issues defensively down Liverpool's left. Gomez is quick and a good defender and he couldn't handle Ogbene at all.

I wish he'd have the confidence to run straight at goal as soon as he got past the last defender but twice he cut back to wait for support. Ultimately he did very well but I feel he's probably just a little bit of confidence and good coaching away from taking his game up another level. Still, you'd have to imagine someone good will take a look at him and see he could do a job for a upper half premier league team.

as an aside, Conor Bradley was really excellent and i think he'd probably already be our best player if we hadn't ****ed it up. liverpool gave a debut to Jayden Danns, a goalscoring striker who plays in the same front three as Trent Kone Doherty. With injuries to Salah, Nunez and Jota last weekend, and Ben Doak's long term knee injury, and considering they've got only 4 fit midfielders and 2 fit attackers, we're probably one injury away from Kone Doherty joining the rest of his u21 team mates (Bradley, Quansah, McConnell, Clark, Nyoni, Gordon, Danns) in the squad

[Colbert Report]

Ogbene continues to impress. Not many full-backs can handle his speed. If Luton go down, I think he'll get a Premier League move. I'd love to see them stay up, the team has a great fighting spirit and they are a real pleasure to watch, despite the mistakes.

[JR89]

Ogbene continues to impress. Not many full-backs can handle his speed. If Luton go down, I think he'll get a Premier League move. I'd love to see them stay up, the team has a great fighting spirit and they are a real pleasure to watch, despite the mistakes.

Given Brentford's injury issues this season they must surely be keeping tabs on him. Covers RWB and RW which would suit Brentford down to the ground as they frequently switch between 4-3-3 and 3-5-2.

[Eirambler]

Shows how far he's come that four years ago Brentford let him go because he couldn't get a game for them in the Championship and now he looks like a signing that would genuinely improve them in the Premier League.

[joey B]

He was excellent last night again,Gomez has been really good at LB for the couple of months and I thought he got his toughest game last night,the first half in particular and in the second when Gomez was moved across Ogbene followed him across and got him booked,if Luton do go down you’d be hopeful someone else in the prem would pick him up,someone like Everton would be a good move for him….,

[Exgrad]

Shows how far he's come that four years ago Brentford let him go because he couldn't get a game for them in the Championship and now he looks like a signing that would genuinely improve them in the Premier League.

Yes great to see a player developing through his mid 20s and still seem to have more to come. Shows how important a good attitude and robustness injury wise is, combined with ability. Good example for some of our younger players who have struggled to push on recently.

[tetsujin1979]

Interesting/pointless stat about Ogbene's goal at Anfield
1761098391453405396

[John83]

How are we doing on PL minutes this year? It felt like we were coming to a nadir on that metric recently, and it'd be a nice sign to see it start to pick up again.

[tetsujin1979]

How are we doing on PL minutes this year? It felt like we were coming to a nadir on that metric recently, and it'd be a nice sign to see it start to pick up again.
Better than last season.
So far this season, 14 players have made a total of 145 appearances, completing 9171 minutes, or 63.2 minutes per appearance, scoring 12 goals - the most since the 2020/21 season(21 goals)
Last season, 13 players made a total of 141 appearances, completing 9323 minutes, or 66 minutes per appearance, scoring eight goals

So, we're already ahead of the total appearances from last year, have scored more goals, and should pass the minutes total before the end of the month
(all numbers from https://www.premierleague.com/stats/ )

[Eirambler]

What's the best scenario from an Irish perspective in terms of the relegation battle this year? It seems like pretty much every team down there has an Irish player involved.

Assuming Sheffield United and Burnley are as good as gone who would be want in the last relegation position? Everton because Coleman probably won't be kept on in the Premier League anyway, but might be kept if they get relegated (would be sad on a personal level for Coleman to see Everton finally relegated though)? Luton because we'd maybe fancy Ogbene to get a move if they go down? Presumably not Forest (Omobamidele) or Brentford (Collins). Don't think Bournemouth will be dragged into it unfortunately, though they're not going well.

[tetsujin1979]

Better than last season.
So far this season, 14 players have made a total of 145 appearances, completing 9171 minutes, or 63.2 minutes per appearance, scoring 12 goals - the most since the 2020/21 season(21 goals)
Last season, 13 players made a total of 141 appearances, completing 9323 minutes, or 66 minutes per appearance, scoring eight goals

So, we're already ahead of the total appearances from last year, have scored more goals, and should pass the minutes total before the end of the month
(all numbers from https://www.premierleague.com/stats/ )
Passed last season's total minutes played earlier today
1761493171651903564

[Eirambler]

Ok, I'm not a mathematician, but...:)

[tetsujin1979]

Ok, I'm not a mathematician, but...:) sorry, it was 9,323 in last season's competition. Fixed it up
Hate it when that happens

[Colbert Report]

A nice finish at full stretch to put Luton up 2-0 against Bournemouth. Ogbene is our best player this season, and by a wide margin. Forget him trying to get a contract with another struggling team if Luton go down, I don't think he'd look out of place playing for a top half team. He's great to watch on the right wing for Luton.

[JR89]

Can see Brentford making a move for him as he suits how they switch between 433 and 352.

[John83]

A nice finish at full stretch to put Luton up 2-0 against Bournemouth. Ogbene is our best player this season, and by a wide margin. Forget him trying to get a contract with another struggling team if Luton go down, I don't think he'd look out of place playing for a top half team. He's great to watch on the right wing for Luton.
Chiedozie Ogbene on target but Bournemouth mount extraordinary comeback (https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2024/0313/1437705-ogbene-on-target-but-luton-collapse-at-bournemouth/) [rte.ie]

[seanfhear]

Luton are one flakey team !

[JR89]

Will miss the next few weeks with a hamstring injury.

[Olé Olé]

I'd say his club are loving that international window right about now...

[Olé Olé]

Back on the bench. Is this his first game back?

Luton are up 1-0 to West Ham. A draw would keep them in with a shot at staying up. A loss in the context of their goal difference would mean they are probably gone.

Assume they win and Forest are beaten by Chelsea (no foregone conclusion) then there's a big shoot off between the sides but with Forest playing Burnley (who could be already relegated if they don't win at Spurs today) and Luton playing Fulham. Most points would win but same points would relegated Luton.

They have a shout but they need to beat West Ham and Fulham and hope for Forest slip ups.

[pineapple stu]

Yep - hasn't played since the St Patrick's weekend.

Luton 2-1 down now, which means they're two points behind Forest with one game to go, and a worse goal difference.

Not sure he's done enough to get a move to another Premier League side next season - Luton are really only in with a chance of safety because of Forest's points deduction - but he's done bloody well all things considered. Moved up two divisions in two seasons, and maybe a year with a decent Championship side (ie that can win a few games) might be good for him.

[Eirambler]

Three points down on Forest unfortunately, they're all but down after today.

The three promoted teams are going back down and in truth, once you take away the points deductions, all three have been well off the standard needed.

In fairness O'Shea and Ogbene have had good seasons despite the relegations.

[pineapple stu]

Ah - must have seen a live table at the brief moment Luton were level.

Yeah, O'Shea and Ogbene have certainly been far from the main reason their teams have gone down. But as you say, the teams have been a long way off the standard. Used to be 40 points was the target to stay up. Luton could be 18th on 26 points. The previous record low for 18th place was 30 points.

[Olé Olé]

Yep, that's the two of them done for I suppose. Disappointing given how well they have done. And given Ogbene's injury, he has been out of the spotlight so a move back to the Premiership is less likely than it would have been had he continued as he was.

Both players proved (O'Shea for sure, I would argue Ogbene too) that they are capable Premiership players but the gap between lower Premiership and upper Championship is incredibly narrow so a move back up is a hope rather than an expectation.

[Eirambler]

Quite a collection of Irish relegations unfortunately, six of the 17 Irish players in the Premier League this season have been relegated. A second career relegation for O'Shea also.

[JR89]

In fairness O'Shea and Ogbene have had good seasons despite the relegations.

Would be great to see both remain in the league but not sure they will unless either club gets an offer they can't refuse. Burnley have a bloated squad and will need to sell along with lads who'll want out after relegation. Can't see O'Shea pushing for a move so think he'll stay unless they get a decent offer.

Not sure what Luton's finances are like but always said they brought Chiedozie in with a view around possible relegation and having him when they return to the championship. So money wise if the year in the PL plus parachute payments lets them keep their squad together I can't see him getting a move unless a team throws money at them. Do think Brentford would have interest in him as a squad player given his flexibility to suit their 3-5-2 or 4-3-3.

[Eirambler]

Brentford is an interesting one because he's already been there of course. Not like them to let go of a player with his level of potential, but he has obviously kicked on a fair bit since then. Would they sign him a second time when it would mean having to pay a sizeable fee for a player they will have let go for next to nothing?

[Eirambler]

Ogbene the latest Irish player to be linked to Ipswich. They're almost becoming like Sundireland were at one point some years ago with all the Irish signings. £8m the fee being suggested for Chiedozie. Not bad business for Luton who picked him up for nothing a year ago. And a smart signing for Ipswich if they can pull it off.

[Jolly Red Giant]

Ogbene the latest Irish player to be linked to Ipswich. They're almost becoming like Sundireland were at one point some years ago with all the Irish signings. £8m the fee being suggested for Chiedozie. Not bad business for Luton who picked him up for nothing a year ago. And a smart signing for Ipswich if they can pull it off.
Ipswich are making some very astute signings.

Promoted teams need pace on the pitch to have a chance of surviving - and Ogbene has pace.

[Colbert Report]

This would be a great move. I watched a lot of Luton last season, and Ogbene is one of the fastest players I've ever seen.

[Stuttgart88]

And for that reason alone I'd have him as a starter for Ireland all the time, and ideally not as some auxillary defender or wing back. His speed is devastating and while his decision making can be frustrating he's one of only a few players we have who top class opponents won't like playing against.

[SkStu]

And for that reason alone I'd have him as a starter for Ireland all the time, and ideally not as some auxillary defender or wing back. His speed is devastating and while his decision making can be frustrating he's one of only a few players we have who top class opponents won't like playing against.

Agreed. He brings a vitality to the team that we need. His speed is indeed devastating but he is also strong, can hold the ball up well, win set pieces and has an eye for goal. His performance against France in Dublin was exceptional.

[JR89]

Wouldn't be surprised if we stick with 3-4-3. Your three CBs and two 6s playing in front of the back three with Chiezdozie on the right and god knows who on the left.

[SkStu]

Wouldn't be surprised if we stick with 3-4-3. Your three CBs and two 6s playing in front of the back three with Chiezdozie on the right and god knows who on the left.

There are a lot of good reasons why a formation with 3 at the back almost has to be our default. I've been saying that for a while. Of the usual crop (assuming there are no surprise call ups), probably O'Dowda for now is our best option on the left?

How would you structure that front 3 with two sitters? I'd probably look at tucking two in behind the front man. 3-4-2-1 - - wing backs would need to be up and down all night though. Would be tough.

[John83]

There are a lot of good reasons why a formation with 3 at the back almost has to be our default. I've been saying that for a while.
It certainly maximises our ability to get as many of our best defenders on the pitch, playing in their natural positions, as possible. On the other hand, 4-5-1 maybe squeezes more out of the attack: I'd rather Ogbene and Johnston either side of a lone striker than try to generate width using, say, Brady and Doherty. It also gives us more bodies in central midfield, where we aren't great. Your solution, with essentially 2+2 in central and attacking mid is also interesting, though I think it asks a lot of our wingbacks.


Of the usual crop (assuming there are no surprise call ups), probably O'Dowda for now is our best option on the left?
I'd written off Brady as crocked, but he played quite a lot of football last year and did well for us in the summer. He's not especially old either. Left back or wingback is going to be somewhere to explore anyway as every candidate has downsides.

[Diggs246]

He's very fast, committed and has the heart of a lion
But my God his decision making skills are awful.

[Acornvilla]

The issue with trying to get 3 center backs on the field is we've discovered that the wide options aren't good enough to accommodate it, and until we have a really good left sided defensive player I kind of feel like we're on a hiding to nothing with that one, you need an incredible engine for it. A 4-5-1 4-4-1-1 or 4-3-3 depending on the situation might suit better, and just keep the fullbacks at home, or let Doherty roam if he's playing and have the defense shift in to a 3 then in those specific situations. That's where I think O' Shea/Scales could be the better option on the left until someone else comes along.

I'm not sure the right wing/back hand side is really in much better shape as Doc and Coleman both age, Alan Browne had that one good game, Ogbene might be wasted there although could also be excellent. Festy needs to play football. I think our Fullback/wing back options aren't great so maybe they need to play deeper and tighter to the centre backs to get caught out of position. Play a lot of midfielders to compensate for nt having any standouts, we do at least have a few options for high energy, Moloumby/Knight, with Smallbone/Cullen being a bit better on the ball. Play Schmodics behind Idah

Everyone would have their own opinion on which options would be best from the ones below, and obviously discount the injuries in the short term, but something like:

Kelleher/O' Leary/Bazunu/Travers

Coleman/Doc -- Collins -- O' Shea/Scales/O' Brien/Omobamedele -- Scales/O' Shea

Cullen/Smallbone/Browne -- Knight/Moloumby

Schmodics/Parrott/Mcgrath/Browne

Festy/O' Dowda/Ogbene -- Idah/Parrott/Ferguson/Robinson -- McGrath/Knight/Johnston/O' Dowda/Robinson


I've left tons of players out because this post has already gotten out of hand and I probably should have just picked my preferred 11, but here we are :D

I could see times when we make a box in midfield, if McGrath/ knight were on the left wing, and someone like Browne behind a striker, leaving Ogbene and a front man up top to cause problems when under pressure and playing England, I just think we will die if we leave the flanks that exposed with a 3-4-3

[SkStu]

It certainly maximises our ability to get as many of our best defenders on the pitch, playing in their natural positions, as possible. On the other hand, 4-5-1 maybe squeezes more out of the attack: I'd rather Ogbene and Johnston either side of a lone striker than try to generate width using, say, Brady and Doherty. It also gives us more bodies in central midfield, where we aren't great. Your solution, with essentially 2+2 in central and attacking mid is also interesting, though I think it asks a lot of our wingbacks.


I'd written off Brady as crocked, but he played quite a lot of football last year and did well for us in the summer. He's not especially old either. Left back or wingback is going to be somewhere to explore anyway as every candidate has downsides.

Yeah - it really does and you look at the list of candidates and it just doesnt inspire. Doherty can probably still just about do it and Ogbene can, in theory at least, but neither option truly solves the problem on the left (Brady, Stevens, McClean, Manning) if you dont rate O'Dowda (and he is iffy at best at the end of the day). Has anyone seen much of Dennis Cirkin? He doesnt seem to really want to play for us but is he any good? I havent seen much of him at all to give an assessment. He fits the profile overall.

On the 2+2 in the middle, yeah, I've been trying to find a way to make it work for a while. I think it is definitely worth a look if you can solve the problems out wide and still want 3 at the back. It would be interesting to have Azaz as one of those (quick, strong, technically proficient - so can do a job facing both directions and press well) and maybe Parrott or Sammie (who can press and support well in transitions to attack). Ferguson up top. It fails quickly if you dont have proper wing backs though.

[JR89]

Cirkin likely won't make a decision on his international future for another year until he's overage for the U21s. Even then could turn around and say he'd rather wait for one England cap rather than play for us or Latvia.

If I was HH and given our issues I'd be hitting him up for a chat and making him an offer to be our starting LB or LWB.

He's had his issues with injuries the last couple of seasons but fans have been full of praise for him so far this season.