Vice-captain impressed with Celtic loanee...
James O’Connor has praised the impact of defensive colleague Eoghan O’Connell since his arrival on loan from Celtic earlier this month.The 21-year-old has played the full 90 minutes in each of the Saddlers’ last two matches, helping us record impressive 4-1 and 3-1 home victories over Sheffield United and Bristol Rovers respectively.
The young centre-back was named the sponsors’ man of the match against Rovers after capping a composed display with an expertly-taken goal – the first of his career.
And O’Connor says he has been impressed with the defender’s overall contribution.
“It was a decent left-foot volley from him and he can’t do anything wrong at the minute,” said the Saddlers' vice-captain.
“It was a great finish but I thought his general play was good as well. He’s got good feet, passes the ball well and I think he’s really bought into what we’re trying to do.”
O’Connell has been deployed alongside O’Connor and Matt Preston in a three-man central defence during the last two games - and the experienced O’Connor admits he likes that system.
“Good players can fit into good systems,” he commented.
“We’ve got some intelligent footballers, players who can adapt to different things during a game.
“For me personally, I like a three [at the back] because it gives you different options on and off the ball.
“Everyone has bought into it and luckily it’s worked well for the last two games.”