I don't think it's any particular mystery

He doesn't really fit into any familiar 'system'. So rather than just slotting him into a 4-4-2 or whatever, managers have to be willing to fit the team around him. And they then rely on him stepping up and making it work.

Most managers get nervous about doing that for any player, I think. And particularly the more dogmatic ones like O'Neill, who has a particular way he likes his teams to play.

Posted By: Tricky Hawes, Oct 10, 13:51:00