25-08-2015, 01:37
O'Neil is a great young utility player, and one of the leading prospects from his "class" at our academy (the only players I'd say were more highly-rated than him were Berahino for obvious reasons, Izzy Brown who went to Chelsea, and George Thorne who's now at Derby). He made a few sub appearances for us in the league, and started in the League Cup against Hull last year; in that game particularly he looked really good, confident and skilful on the ball, and set up both of our goals. Sadly, the Premier League being what it is, players pretty much need to be fully-formed football prodigies by the age of 22 or they don't stand a chance of breaking into the first team. O'Neil's got his fair share of talent, and I'd certainly back him to be plying his trade in the Championship in the coming years - in fact, I'm surprised no Champ teams came in for him here and now - so with any luck, you've got yourselves a player with a bright future.
"I would rather spend a holiday in Tuscany than in the Black Country, but if I were compelled to choose between living in West Bromwich or Florence, I should make straight for West Bromwich." - J.B. Priestley