Will probably end up with Lawal at centre half and Moran on the wingOriginally Posted by Razors left peg
To be fair I think they have moved on from that, and its probably why they find themselves where they are. Will Smallbone had a very successful loan there a couple years ago so hopefully Moran will too.
Its really not that complicated!!!
3 assists so far for Andy tonight
Played in the number 10 position and was excellent
Its really not that complicated!!!
Any chance the thread title can be updated.
Done now. Thanks for catching it.
You can't spell failure without FAI
Surprised how far back I had to go to find this thread. Got his second goal in four appearances against Bristol City so looking promising https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/c2dp6103pngt
Scored the opening goal today for Stoke in their 2-2 draw with Cardiff. Played the whole game. On a decent run of form too and 3 goals so far this season.
Not wanting to put a dampener on it but reports were that he was anonymous again outside of the goal (which was a rebound from close range) and Stoke's midfield continues to be their Achilles heal. Most of their supporters seem to be of the view that they would be happy enough to see him shipped back to Brighton on January 1st. While that probably won't happen, it does seem like he's not quite ready for the Championship and a loan elsewhere for the second half of the season might be no harm.
It's a shame he's just overage for the next Under 21 campaign because I think that would be a more suitable international environment for him for at least another year or two until we see if he kicks on. For now he's probably only senior squad material in times where we have a bad midfield injury situation like we did in November.
Last edited by Eirambler; 15/12/2024 at 8:55 AM.
The Stoke forums seem to be against everyone at the moment. Koumas from Liverpool getting plenty of abuse as well . It really doesn't matter the key for us is he is getting experience in an unfamiliar centremidfield position where we are so lacking its likely he would improve things for us
I really don't think he would improve the centre of our midfield at all. Cullen seems to be the focus of criticism from a section of Ireland fans at the moment, but he's doing much better than Moran in the Championship. So is Jason Knight, one of Bristol's best players this season. Smallbone was standing out not too long ago in the same team that Moran is struggling in now. And in a more advanced role Azaz is absolutely miles ahead of Moran.
Moran seems to be seen as the bright shiny new thing at the moment, because he hasn't played much for Ireland yet. People always want to believe that there's better coming through than what we already have. And maybe in a few years Moran will be that player. But so far in his loans at Blackburn and Stoke he has done absolutely nothing to suggest that he should be anywhere near the Ireland midfield at this point in time. People may not like Cullen, Knight, Smallbone or Molumby. But other than possibly Taylor (and if course Azaz in a more attacking midfield role) they're the best central midfielders we have right now. My view is that if we actually start resourcing the midfield we'll see the best of them. Moran needs to be left for a couple of years to see if he can develop to the standard required, which hopefully he will do in time.
Not saying he’s the answer (haven’t seen enough of him tbh) but I’m just glad to see him kicking on from last year and beginning to find his feet. Still young and lots of development ahead of him. His cameo for us was decent too.
I’d agree, his recent cameo was very encouraging. He was willing to accept the ball in tight spaces and under pressure and we probably haven’t really seen anyone do that game in, game out since Wes.
My issue with Andy has always been his consistency. He’ll have one excellent game where he’s the best player on the pitch and follow it up with a 6/10 performance where the game passes him by and his totally anonymous.
But that is something he could certainly grow out of and you’d hope he will as he matures…
It’s also something that happens to technical players playing at Championship and below level. Sometimes better players need to be playing at a better level to show their real quality. In the same way that less technically gifted players who thrive at that level, are shown up at international level. We’ve seen a few of those in recent times.
Another loan that fizzled out by the end with Moran finishing up on the bench of a poor stoke team. Has got decent enough minutes in fairness across the season. Can't see him making the breakthrough at Brighton, and don't see point of another season long loan. Hopefully gets a decent move where next club are more invested in his progress.
Last edited by Exgrad; 06/05/2025 at 10:27 AM.
He's just not cut out for it physically at all. He can go and play in Belgium or wherever and I'd imagine he'd go better there than in the Championship or League 1, but I can't see him being much use to us unless/until he fills out a bit. Obviously you can get away with that kind of physical shortcoming if you're at Messi or Modric levels of talent, but he's not at that level technically either unfortunately.
Anything to be said for a heavy course of Irish beef ?
Moran is under contract until 2028 - so unless Brighton get a decent offer he will be going on loan again next season. Again - the kid is only 21 so he does have time on his side - but he does look a bit lightweight for a midfielder and could do with buking up a bit.
Tony Bloom has just invested in Hearts, so not beyond possibility that he might end up there next season. It would be a step down from the Championship which might be what he needs. Although Hearts have traditionally been a bunch of largely physical cloggers so probably not an ideal fit for him there either.
Playing in clogs isn't easy, fair dues to them for giving it a go !
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