Current Player Thread Gatlin O'Donkor

[Carpy]

 

[yellowbow]

My concern is can he stay fit? He apparently had quite a few niggles last season.

He’s going to be required to do a lot of minutes this season so hopefully his body stands up to it.

 

[Carpy]

If there is one benefit to a summer long transfer embargo (there aren't many), he is hopefully one of them.

 

[BrockBuster]

It will be a highlight of this season if he kicks on. Would love to see it. He deserves to.

I am concerned about the treatment he gets from referees - so often he gets 50/50s go against him, sometimes even 70/30s. Last night's friendly a case in point, to the extent Radio Oxford were a bit incredulous about it.

I remember Shola Ameobi always getting the same type of treatment in every Newcastle game in Europe, when the likes of Shearer and Bellamy (who were generally dirtier players) often got the rub of the green. Every time he went up for a header - foul. Every time he got barged in the back - no free kick.

I said this a couple of seasons back and got shouted down here, but I really REALLY hope there isn't some unconscious (or even conscious) bias in referees against him due to his appearance.

 

[OUFC1978]

I think he just needs to learn to be a bit smarter.
Lankshear last season was similar with the agressive holding and challenging defenders resulting in giving away lots of fould and then in the sending off. After that I think he was much better and being cuter and got a few more decisions go his way. I think GOD needs to be a bit cuter and that will come from playing more games.

 

[Slade Yellow]

I think he just needs to learn to be a bit smarter.
Lankshear last season was similar with the agressive holding and challenging defenders resulting in giving away lots of fould and then in the sending off. After that I think he was much better and being cuter and got a few more decisions go his way. I think GOD needs to be a bit cuter and that will come from playing more games.

He and the other young players coming into the first team are now going to benefit hugely from the experience of our first really professional coaching setup and the input of a young progressive first team coach who has played at the very highest level.
This is a chance that most young players can only dream about!

 

[ZeroTheHero]

I said this a couple of seasons back and got shouted down here, but I really REALLY hope there isn't some unconscious (or even conscious) bias in referees against him due to his appearance.

I'd hope so too (I wasn't there last night). But GoD (certainly when I have seen him previously) could look clumsy and the physical side of his game was far from subtle. Over the years, those that the refs think are dishing it out a bit often do not get the rub of the green when they themselves are fouled. Hopefully, coaching will help / has helped him. Given his size and strength, I think he may benefit from what looks like the increased amounts of crosses into the box we will make this season.