Roy O'Donovan (F Newcastle Jets b.1985)

[rowz]

He was really unlucky to get a start in the Prem recently and then having to go off injured in the first half.
Before he left Cork, he had an amazing eye for goal - a much lower level, I know, but his finishing really was top class at times.
He has the speed and bustle to perhaps be a worthwhile sub towards the end of a game, but I'd imagine he needs the stepping stone of regular games in the Championship before he makes any impact in the Premier League.

[pete]

He is a striker & not a winger. I think he would be fast even for the Premier League. Confident finisher too. Stokes is not up to much anyway.

[ramsfan]

good player another who just needs a bit of luck to get a run in the team

[micls]

Fit again. Starting today against Chelsea

[irishfan86]

He played up front/in the hole in the first half and was pretty impressive, before moving to the right when Prica came on.

I'd like to see him given a go against lesser opposition, I think he could score, worked hard and looked smart up front.

[pete]

He's getting chances left, right and centre that people like Connoly just aren't and he's not taking them. He's looked out of place anytime he's played and was lucky not to be sent off against Chelsea. I can't see Roy persisting with him.

Connolly doesn't get a chance as he has been there before & not done it. O'Donovan had his first chance playing as forward against Chelsea who Sunderland had 28% possession against so always going to be difficult. Heard Keane say he sees him as forward in the long term which is good to hear.

[tetsujin1979]

He's getting chances left, right and centre that people like Connoly just aren't and he's not taking them.

It was his second start in 6 weeks, and only his fourth overall this season. Not exactly "left, right and centre"

He's looked out of place anytime he's played

He's not setting the world on fire, but he's certainly no worse than some of the rest of the Sunderland team

and was lucky not to be sent off against Chelsea.

err, for what?

I can't see Roy persisting with him.

We'll have to come back to that at the end of the season

[finnpark]

How is being there top scorer last season "not doing it"?



I've never heard anyone praise him for anything he's done in any of those games. He made a woeful tackle on Ballack on Saturday, I think he generally looks out of place and unless I'm mistaken he was a central figure in the two worst sunderland performances. The FA Cup 3rd round loss to some lower league club and the 7-0 drubbing Everton handed them.

Keane praises him all the time. His third start of the season so lets give him time. He actually looks really good imo, very skilful, tough in the tackle and good in the air. All he needs is some goals. He also played a central figure in Sunderland's draw with Birmingham and win at home to Wigan. Hes a good player, give him time. What do you expect for 500,000€ anyway.

[tetsujin1979]

He made a woeful tackle on Ballack on Saturday,

So woeful, he didn't get booked for it. Didn't you have the same opinion about a good tackle made by Stephen Kelly against Brazil?

unless I'm mistaken he was a central figure in the two worst sunderland performances. The FA Cup 3rd round loss to some lower league club and the 7-0 drubbing Everton handed them.

You are. Sunderland went out of the FA Cup to Wigan, who are a Premiership club. O'Donovan didn't play in the 7-1 loss to Everton, he was an unused substitute

[finnpark]

Which he didn't get booked for
You are. Sunderland went out of the FA Cup to Wigan, who are a Premiership club. O'Donovan didn't play in the 7-1 loss to Everton, he was an unused substitute

I think that hes mixing O'Donovan up with Paul McShane

Ciaran, this is Roy:
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/image...ngannon300.jpg

[jmurphyc]

Ciaran, as Tets stated he didn't play in the 7-1 defeat. Your beloved Harte did however play in the 7-1 defeat to Everton and he's a defender which is far worse. It seems as though you're just trying to make things up to suit your argument. You should really check the facts before posting inaccuracies. O'Donovan has played 413 minutes of football this season, hardly a figure that proves that he's getting chances left, right and centre. That equates to just over four and a half games.

[ifk101]

Ciaran's posts are of comedic value only.

[macdermesser]

How is being there top scorer last season "not doing it"?

I can't believe that are two people out there who are Connolly fans .. I can only conclude that Ciaran is also The Worm :-)

[fergalr]

Starting games in the Premiership is one thing, but Roy can only consider himself well and truely arrived when the Irish Times realise that he is Irish (and start listing him in the "Irish in Britain" section thingie: http://www.ireland.com/sports/soccer...end_soccer.pdf).

[finnpark]

The striker heirarchy at the moment is

Jones
Murphy
Chopra
Prica
Stokes
Waghorn
O Donovan
Connolly

In short, it's not going to happen for him bar an injury crisis or if he takes the rare oppurtunities he gets.

The striker hierarchy is actually

Jones
Murphy
O'Donovan
Chopra
Prica
Stokes

O'Donovan is definitely better than Prica and Stokes.

[carloz]

No it's not and no he's not.

I wouldn't be surprised if that's the last we'll see of Roy O'D in a Sunderland shirt tbh

Mate where in gods name did you come up with a stupid logic like this. O'Donovan had a very decent game at the weekend and really has the attitude that im sure Keane would like in his players. He was more impressive in last weekends game than Stokes has been in any this season

[pete]

No it's not and no he's not.
I wouldn't be surprised if that's the last we'll see of Roy O'D in a Sunderland shirt tbh.

It would be harsh to drop a player after his first start as forward was against Chelsea. It is hard to judge the order of forwards as Keane only plays 451 so everyone bar Jones plays wide in 5 man midfield. O'Donovan did start ahead of Prica (hard to understand why bought him) on Saturday.

[tetsujin1979]

I wouldn't be surprised if that's the last we'll see of Roy O'D in a Sunderland shirt tbh.

Quiet a sweeping statement there, you really think he won't play one minute against Aston Villa, West Ham, Fulham, Man City, Newcastle, Middlesbro, Bolton, or Arsenal?
Then get sold in the summer?

[tetsujin1979]

He's made what 2 starts all season? 4 as a sub? There's 8 games left, and 8 crucially important games. Keane needs to stick with the tried and trusted Jones, Murphy and Chopra.

From http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroa...5&seasonID=137
4 Starts, and 13 introductions

Sunderland have played 32 games so far
4 starts/32 games = Donovan has started 12.5% of all games so far
12.5% of 8 games is 1, so if Keane sticks on what he's done so far this season, Donovan has 1 start left

13 introductions/32 games = Donovan came on as a sub in 40% of all games so far
40% of 8 is 3.25, so if Keane sticks on what he's done so far this season, Donovan will come on in at least 3 more games

[gustavo]

I dont see how Chopra , Jones and Murphy are triied and tested , I think its their first full season in the Premier League for all 3 , and none have exactly been banging in the goals.