Monday 1 April 2013

Eunan O'Kane's remarkable season

Spare a thought for Eunan O'Kane today, who is likely to sit the next few games out with a foot injury. He has been a bit of an unsung hero for AFCB, breaking up play and often providing the killer pass for others to score.

Competition in the Bournemouth squad is just about the fiercest in all League One, because we probably have one of the largest squads. Eunan must have wondered when he joined AFCB, what chance did a young 23 year old midfield player have of getting a regular first team place in his first season at the club? Well the answer was pretty good.

Eunan O'Kane has become a valuable asset to the Cherries since his summer move from Torquay United. Most were worried that he could not fill the boots of Shaun MacDonald when the Welshman was injured mid-season. But we had no need to fear.


Eunan stepped up to the challenge and has grown as a player since his time at the Cherries and has made 33 League One appearances now, with only five of them as a substitute.

However, the game when i think his best moment came was in the away FA Cup tie at Wigan Athletic. That day he hit a screamer into the left corner of the goal from 20 yards and the joy on his face was clear for everyone to see. He knew he had made his place in the team and was playing with freedom.

Eunan has three goals this season but the stat that really impresses is his 8 assists. He is very adept at pushing balls through for the strikers to run on to and he has made a great partnership with Harry Arter in midfield. Somehow, these two seem to be able to do what Lampard and Gerrard could never do for England, one sits while the other goes and vice-versa.


At times I would say Eunan's passing can be a bit wild and he surely to work on not giving away possession so easily at time. However, I am sure that Eunan has the ability to learn fast under Jason and Eddie. He has already shown that he can keep more experienced players out of the team. So while other players are getting most of the tributes, do not underestimate the skill of this creative little Irishman. He surely will only get better.

I hope Eunan can recover quickly from his Colchester match injury and that he can get back into the team before the end of this season. It will be hard for him if he has to sit out the final games, but he has certainly contributed to a great season for the Cherries.

For those of you all going to the Scunthorpe match today, let's give the team the support it needs to play with confidence and determination. We want those three points. UTCIAD! 

2 comments:

  1. Decent player but perhaps not as good as he thinks (based on interviews) MacDonals a very able replacement.
    Andy King

    ReplyDelete
  2. The Messi of League 1?

    ReplyDelete

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