| I'm not saying I love Omari, but... 02:09 - Mar 17 with 1484 views | Kropotkin123 |
in light of there being zero threads about him, I thought I'd give it a shot.
In the summer, I like a few others, thought Jackson wouldn't contribute much at this level (@Jackson's Dad - He's proved me wrong, another great performance when we needed him today). So I was happy to see us heavily linked Rak-Sakyi - not the Rak-Sakyi that has played 133 minutes across 6 league games for Palace this season, the one that had just got 15 goals and 8 assists in 40 League One starts for an undewhelming Charlton side.
So when we missed out on him and picked up Omari Hutchinson, a then 19-year-old from Chelsea, with a grand total of 22-minutes of professional football, I was a little skeptical. Don't worry, I wasn't writing him of then, nor after his first substitute appearance, like some. But I wasn't seeing the signs that he would do anything special.
1,457 mins league minutes later and he's scored 7, assisted 5, and been an important apart of the build-up in others. He hasn't just scored in meaningless games when we are home and dry. He's really stepped up when it mattered. Would there be a hangover from the loss last week? No, Omari would break the deadlock after 15mins. His goals against Southampton and Rotherham were important match-winners.
He's not perfect, his decision-making has been questioned. But he is young, and if that improves significantly, he'll definately have a long career at the upper end of the Premiership.
But why do I love his performances in a Town shirt? Honestly, I still can't get over the fact that for a young flair player, with good end-product, he is totally willing and good at the defensive side of his game. Being around players like Burns and Harness, who can also mix it defensively, must help, but this natural abilty has been there since game one and it is great to see him interested in improving and evidently improving this aspect of his game.
Most of the season he has been on the right hand side, but he is intelligent, so when we needed someone to step in for Connor Chaplin, he was able to instantly contribute today. He was unplayable for Sheff Wed. Yes it was Sheff Wed, but let's not kid ourselves, We've not put in such a dominent performance against other lower table opposition at home. The only game that has been more than a 2 goal margin was Hull. Pretty much every game has been a battle, and even Rotherham was a 90th minute winner. So credit where it's due.
He is also unselfish. Twice in this game highlight this. Laying it off for Sarmiento or for Al-Hamadi, when he was on for a hatrick led to two goals.
Some are saying he's the best loan signing we've had. Magilton, Peralta, Bullard, and Gio all come to mind. Whether he is or not doesn't matter, I think he has been great to watch this season - Be it his end-product, continuous improvement, or defensive qualities. That he would like to come back here is great. If we get promoted, I think it would be another mutually beneficial season together. If he spends next year at Chelsea, it would be a shame, as he'd likely only feature akin to Rak-Sakyi this year, whereas McKenna has proven he can develop his game. |  |
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| I'm not saying I love Omari, but... on 08:04 - Mar 17 with 1281 views | Steve_M |
The only thing to add to that is he’s clearly a reflective and mature person as well, his interviews are impressive.
I’m thoroughly enjoying watching him develop this season and would love to see him back next year - we’ll need to go up to have any chance there I think. [Post edited 17 Mar 10:07]
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| I'm not saying I love Omari, but... on 08:08 - Mar 17 with 1274 views | Churchman |
When I first saw him I thought he looked sullen, moody, a bit disinterested. Clearly talented I wondered if he’d be one of those show pony players. Good control, tricks, no output. He also looked too small. Unimpressed.
Now there’s a reason why I’m not a football manager. And that paragraph covers it. His progress has been outstanding and he’s unrecognisable from the player I first saw. Work ethic, willingness to be involved defensively and ability to hurt teams at this level continues to grow. Lethal player. And what a great job our coaches have done with him.
He's going to have a smashing career. Lots to learn though and I hope he’s not left to wither in Chelsea’s reserves. I’d love him to stay with us next season and maybe he will if we make it to the PL. if we don’t, then I suspect he will be loaned to a lower PL team. |  | | |
| I'm not saying I love Omari, but... on 08:14 - Mar 17 with 1250 views | homer_123 |
| I'm not saying I love Omari, but... on 08:04 - Mar 17 by Steve_M |
The only thing to add to that is he’s clearly a reflective and mature person as well, his interviews are impressive.
I’m thoroughly enjoying watching him develop this season and would love to see him back next year - we’ll need to go up to have any chance there I think. [Post edited 17 Mar 10:07]
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After sn opening season like this, the second season is actually where he might struggle.
He's hit the ground running so we'll in an extremely tough league.
He'll do very well to replicate that next season wherever he ends up. Not saying he won't but it will be tough.
Obviously I'd love it if we had him back next season....in the Prem. He's going to have a lot of options available to him though.
Big decisions for him in the summer. |  |
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| I'm not saying I love Omari, but... on 04:31 - May 5 with 892 views | Kropotkin123 |
I don't want to write this all out again!
I still can't get over the fact that for a young flair player, with good end-product, he is totally willing and good at the defensive side of his game.
This move starts with Omari being tenacious, winning it back, high up the pitch, and making a run that pulls two defenders with him.
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| I'm not saying I love Omari, but... on 08:24 - May 5 with 581 views | Herbivore |
| I'm not saying I love Omari, but... on 04:31 - May 5 by Kropotkin123 |
I don't want to write this all out again!
I still can't get over the fact that for a young flair player, with good end-product, he is totally willing and good at the defensive side of his game.
This move starts with Omari being tenacious, winning it back, high up the pitch, and making a run that pulls two defenders with him.
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He was, once again, absolutely superb yesterday. Feels like he's gone up another level in recent weeks and there's not many better than him in the Championship when he plays like he has been this week. I'd love it if we could keep him here. |  |
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| I'm not saying I love Omari, but... on 08:35 - May 5 with 542 views | tonybied |
| I'm not saying I love Omari, but... on 08:24 - May 5 by Herbivore |
He was, once again, absolutely superb yesterday. Feels like he's gone up another level in recent weeks and there's not many better than him in the Championship when he plays like he has been this week. I'd love it if we could keep him here. |
You're right, I think he's now moved into the same level as Summerville and Mavadidi. I looked at both those players with envy earlier in the season but I know who I'd rather sign for next season or of those 3 now! [Post edited 5 May 8:38]
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| I'm not saying I love Omari, but... on 08:39 - May 5 with 500 views | BlueBoots |
Can see him "doing a Hirst"...going back to his parent club in the summer, telling them he doesn't want to be there anymore, and that he wants to join us permanently. I can't see Chelsea standing in the way, particularly when they desperately need to balance the books. |  |
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| I'm not saying I love Omari, but... on 09:21 - May 5 with 392 views | dezb |
The point you make on the defensive side of his game is spot on.
Was discussing it yesterday and interesting to look back at some early comments from Mckenna in the season where he stated he felt omari could be one of the best pressing attacking players in the country. Just another piece of evidence to show McKennas own abilities to identify that and also develop the player so much over the course of the season. Kudos to Omari as well of course!
Almost poetic that our opener comes from the press from Omari and winning the ball that high up the pitch.
Would be thrilled to see him return next season |  | | |
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| I'm not saying I love Omari, but... on 09:24 - May 5 with 354 views | FrimleyBlue |
| I'm not saying I love Omari, but... on 08:08 - Mar 17 by Churchman |
When I first saw him I thought he looked sullen, moody, a bit disinterested. Clearly talented I wondered if he’d be one of those show pony players. Good control, tricks, no output. He also looked too small. Unimpressed.
Now there’s a reason why I’m not a football manager. And that paragraph covers it. His progress has been outstanding and he’s unrecognisable from the player I first saw. Work ethic, willingness to be involved defensively and ability to hurt teams at this level continues to grow. Lethal player. And what a great job our coaches have done with him.
He's going to have a smashing career. Lots to learn though and I hope he’s not left to wither in Chelsea’s reserves. I’d love him to stay with us next season and maybe he will if we make it to the PL. if we don’t, then I suspect he will be loaned to a lower PL team. |
I remember a couple of his first appearences. He went down easily, hitting the floor in disgust and didn't bother tracking back.
Almost within a month of coaching you saw a maturing Hutchinson, tracking back, busting a gut, not going down with the slightest touch. He went from kid from Chelsea to senior footballer very quickly. |  |
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| I'm not saying I love Omari, but... on 09:28 - May 5 with 336 views | MK1 |
| I'm not saying I love Omari, but... on 09:24 - May 5 by FrimleyBlue |
I remember a couple of his first appearences. He went down easily, hitting the floor in disgust and didn't bother tracking back.
Almost within a month of coaching you saw a maturing Hutchinson, tracking back, busting a gut, not going down with the slightest touch. He went from kid from Chelsea to senior footballer very quickly. |
He has simply been an absolute joy to watch. McKenna and his team have made the lad a proper player. |  | | |
| I'm not saying I love Omari, but... on 09:35 - May 5 with 311 views | Radlett_blue |
| I'm not saying I love Omari, but... on 09:24 - May 5 by FrimleyBlue |
I remember a couple of his first appearences. He went down easily, hitting the floor in disgust and didn't bother tracking back.
Almost within a month of coaching you saw a maturing Hutchinson, tracking back, busting a gut, not going down with the slightest touch. He went from kid from Chelsea to senior footballer very quickly. |
I wonder how Hutchinson might have fared if someone like Keane had been manager? Sent back to Chelsea, rather like the promising Andros Townsend, who was recalled after Keane stopped playing him. Townsend actually had 9 loan spells with 9 different clubs in 4 years & probably had a bit of attitude. |  |
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| I'm not saying I love Omari, but... on 09:35 - May 5 with 309 views | Herbivore |
| I'm not saying I love Omari, but... on 09:28 - May 5 by MK1 |
He has simply been an absolute joy to watch. McKenna and his team have made the lad a proper player. |
There's some lovely quotes from Hutch in The Athletic piece on us today. You can see how highly he regards McKenna and everyone at the club and how much he can appreciate his own development here. Would love it if he told Chelsea he wanted to come back permanently and we could get a deal through but I worry he might be beyond us. | |
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| I'm not saying I love Omari, but... on 09:43 - May 5 with 270 views | Radlett_blue |
| I'm not saying I love Omari, but... on 09:35 - May 5 by Herbivore |
There's some lovely quotes from Hutch in The Athletic piece on us today. You can see how highly he regards McKenna and everyone at the club and how much he can appreciate his own development here. Would love it if he told Chelsea he wanted to come back permanently and we could get a deal through but I worry he might be beyond us. |
Chelsea will do what's best for them. Omari has a year left on his contract; they could try to sell him now to whoever offers the biggest fee or they could extend his contract & loan him out again & Town would be the obvious place as a good spell in the Prem would help them decide if they want to keep him or increase his transfer value. | |
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| Four things on Omari on 09:48 - May 5 with 255 views | unstableblue |
1. In the Luton pre-season game he looked a long way from being a real contributor this season, yes buckets of tricks and raw talent, but queries over end product and decision making - the manager and fellow players have accelerated is development remarkably well
2. For me he grew up and transitioned into a key player at Saints away, incredible pressing, tackling, dribbling and the goal
3. I don’t think we get automatics without him, he’s given us something different, and backfilled some injury and drops in form, he’s been player of the month and scored crucial goals, provided assists but also disrupted oppositions for other players to thrive
4. I’m not convinced we can get the loan extension we’re hoping for. Has he done enough to start challenging for a Chelsea place? |  |
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| I'm not saying I love Omari, but... on 09:50 - May 5 with 246 views | Herbivore |
| I'm not saying I love Omari, but... on 09:43 - May 5 by Radlett_blue |
Chelsea will do what's best for them. Omari has a year left on his contract; they could try to sell him now to whoever offers the biggest fee or they could extend his contract & loan him out again & Town would be the obvious place as a good spell in the Prem would help them decide if they want to keep him or increase his transfer value. |
Decisions for both parties to make. With a year left they either need to sell or offer him a deal. He's already shown he's not afraid to move if he feels it'll benefit his development so he might refuse to sign a deal to force a sale. Possibly wishful thinking on my part! | |
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| Four things on Omari on 09:51 - May 5 with 238 views | FrimleyBlue |
| Four things on Omari on 09:48 - May 5 by unstableblue |
1. In the Luton pre-season game he looked a long way from being a real contributor this season, yes buckets of tricks and raw talent, but queries over end product and decision making - the manager and fellow players have accelerated is development remarkably well
2. For me he grew up and transitioned into a key player at Saints away, incredible pressing, tackling, dribbling and the goal
3. I don’t think we get automatics without him, he’s given us something different, and backfilled some injury and drops in form, he’s been player of the month and scored crucial goals, provided assists but also disrupted oppositions for other players to thrive
4. I’m not convinced we can get the loan extension we’re hoping for. Has he done enough to start challenging for a Chelsea place? |
Is it wrong to think that signing hutch perm... would really show what level of support we actually have from the owners.
Not saying they haven't shown that so far.. I just mean that's the new level of support and possibly the required new limit for us to stand a chance of staying up.. | |
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