🧵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) Image
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 Image
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

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More from @tomhwilliams23

Feb 4
🧵Here’s my thread on new #Alty forward Regan Linney

Linney bagged 20 goals in 26 games for FC United of Manchester so far this season, and the following thread highlights why I feel he can make the step up 2 divisions

(Video credit to FCUM and Nantwich for this one) 👇 Image
Linney is a ridiculously composed finisher. His finishing is one of his main strengths, and what he adds is to this Alty side is a natural finishing presence

Here he rounds the keeper, doesn’t lose his cool, and slots home
His strongest finishing is when shooting across goal. He has lovely technique, allowing him to shoot hard and low, a nightmare for keepers

In this regard he reminds me of Langstaff - a real sharpshooter
Read 18 tweets
Jan 30
#WxmAFC proved the #NationalLeague has plenty of quality in their 3-3 draw with #SUFC

They did plenty of things really well in the game - here’s a thread 🧵 looking at what they did. A short analysis 👇
Here’s a move they executed early in the 2nd half. They did a really good job of restricting the game to one half off the pitch

Down the left they were especially potent as it’s where Elliot Lee was most active
They look to use the channels, something Sheff Utd had real trouble defending

The threat of Tozer’s set pieces put SU on edge when defending, making it easier for Wrexham to play their game in these lateral zones
Read 12 tweets
Jan 29
Despite being 1-0 down at half time #WxmAFC are doing some things really well

Here’s a short thread on Wrexham’s first half against #SUFC 🧵👇
Their front 2, as always, are making themselves real nuisances. Both are physically really capable, and their work rate is really paying off

Sheff Utd aren’t able to get anything going. They’re constantly on the back foot due to Palmer & Mullin’s harassment
At the end of the half this chance almost got the equaliser. It comes from from Palmer’s hard work once again

Mullin is so destructive in these 1 on 1s. SU need to do something about it as that gap is so inviting for him
Read 4 tweets
Jan 29
🆕🧵With deadline day fast approaching I decided to do a thread of 10 #NationalLeague players I feel could make a late move to the #EFL

Let me know if you want any more transfer content before deadline day below - and if so what? 👇
10. Kyran Lofthouse

He’s only so low down the list because Woking are flying. Strong, quick and direct, Lofthouse is a superb right sided midfielder

He ranks 4th for dribbles per 90, and is also capable of playing RB. Seems to have lost his place of late, leaving the door open
9. Tyler Cordner

The first of a few CBs on this list. At 24 Cordner still has plenty of upside, but is already a very mature defender

Comfortable with the ball at his feet and bringing play out from the back, Cordner plays on the left of the CB pairing
Read 11 tweets
Jan 25
Luke Young is potentially the most underrated player in the league. Wrexham’s number 8 has been an ever present this season

Here’s a thread on the midfielder, covering why he could be the most important #WxmAFC player 🧵👇
Firstly, Young has played 2,451 minutes so far this season. That ranks him 16th for the whole league.

Of #WxmAFC players only Howard (2,638), Tozer (2,638) and Hayden (2,542) have played more minutes. Straight away we can see his importance
Young operates to the right of a midfield 3, playing as the shuttler, providing energy between both boxes

O’Connor plays at the base, while Lee to the left is given a free role. Young therefore has a lot of running and ground to cover
Read 13 tweets
Jan 23
🆕🧵A few days ago #oafc added midfielder Mark Shelton to their ranks

At 26 he’s just entering his prime, but the Nottingham born lad has plenty of experience at this level already, having won promotion from this division on 2 occasions

Here’s a thread on Oldham’s new signing Image
Shelton is a box to box midfielder, one who contributes to both phases of play. He’s energetic, and often starts moves from the base of midfield, before building through the phases of play. Here he continues his run, providing a foil by making a run to the front post
Here’s another perfect example of Shelton building from the back, being involved in the continuation of play at all stages. He makes strong runs into space, constantly making himself available for passes. His strong physicality allows him to make driving runs
Read 13 tweets

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