Thread by @tomhwilliams23

🧵Here’s my thread on #WxmAFC newest recruit Eoghan O’Connell

I look at his strengths and weaknesses, and why I feel the League One defender is a good signing

(Video credit to Charlton on this one)

Firstly, I wanted to address where I think he will play in the back 3. For Charlton he played in a back 4, and played on both sides, Altho I felt his best work was done on the left

With JT injured for a long period, EOC has the chance to cement his place at LCB

The first thing to note is EOC’s composure on the ball. From LCB he will be able to step up, carry the ball forwards and add an extra passing outlet

EOC plays 52.85 passes per 90; more than any other Wrexham player

EOC is a progressive passer; he plays 10.16 per 90, again more than any other Wrexham player

He will be able to bypass teams by playing into Palmer and Mullin, with clipped balls such as these. He should give them an edge in possession

He’s also an excellent judge of distance, making him a more effective defender when retreating

Here he adjusts well after his teammate gives away possession. His body shape and positioning forces the attacker wide, nullifying the chance

In terms of out and out defending, EOC excels. He’s a good box defender, willing to put his body on the line for his side

He makes 0.59 blocks per 90 - only JT for Wrexham has more (0.65). He has good anticipation allowing him to make blocks

Here’s another example of it. Here he adjusts his feet well, responding to the danger and shifting across to make the block

His positioning for the most part is excellent. This is what allows him to make the blocks

Here’s another fine block from O’Connell. What strikes me here is his positioning and also his awareness

He doesn’t get sucked in and go to the ball. He scans, recognises the danger and holds his position. Moments later he makes a vital block

His anticipation really impresses me. Here he recognises that he cannot close down the attacker in time before he gets a shot away

Instead note he begins to cover on the line. Had the shot been far corner he would have had a chance at a clearance

I’m not suggesting EOC is the quickest defender, but a combination of his positioning and awareness allow him to make recovery runs like this

He will be useful in a side that dominate. He can spot danger before it materialises

EOC hasn’t got the biggest jump or the natural athletic gifts that Hayden possesses. However, just like in his defending, his anticipation aids in attack

He reads the flight well here, attacks the space well and ultimately has an easy free header

Aerial prowess is probably my biggest critique of EOC. This isn’t the only time I’ve seen a cross into the box where he misjudges the flight of the ball

He often either mistimes his leap, or hasn’t got enough to reach it. He can be vulnerable in these situations

As I’ve mentioned EOC isn’t the most athletically gifted. Therefore, on the rare occasion that he does get his positioning wrong, he can get caught out

He looks far too weak here, beaten easily. He may take time to adapt to the physicality of the NL

This clip is a bit of a comedy of errors. I just thought it highlights that he is susceptible to a mistake

However, on the whole I think he’s an excellent signing. He defends well, and this is against attackers from 2 divisions above. I think he’s more than capable