Sheffield Wednesday News 24/7Writer: Nick 
Date:Tuesday March 22 2011
Time: 9:41AM
UK time is: 08:22:36
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It's A Praise For Richard O'Donnell
Oxymoron - No, it's not a particularly stupid spot cream, writes Ian May.
Years ago I learnt that the word 'oxymoron' referred to two words or phrases, which simply don't go together. For example, 'Owls' and 'Home win'.
After watching Saturdays game (more expensive than going to watch them due to the bribes I had to pay my wife and daughter to leave me in peace to watch the game on TV) here are few more oxymorons:
'Teale' and 'well hit dead ball'.
'Miller' and 'tackle'.
'Owls defence' and 'concentration'.
'Owls' and 'promotion from League One'.
I'm sure you could think up your own.
In recent years another oxymoron for the Owls has been 'Owls debut' and 'tremendous performance'.
What I saw on Saturday from O'Donnells' debut shatters this one apart.
The third choice keeper had his Owls debut, away from home, behind a notoriously porous defence, two new centre halves, and against a top-six team in good form. Quite an intimidating baptism of fire for O'Donnell.
How good was it to see his confidence, his shouting at the defence, some excellent saves - one absolutely top-drawer.
O'Donnells debut was one to savour - OK, he was let down by his defence for the first goal, so no clean sheet, but it was so good to see his evident pride and passion wearing an Owls shirt.
Practice sitting down Nicky, if Richard keeps this up when you come back you may be on the bench!
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Your Comments
I really thought for a debut Richard did really well you never know we may have uncovered a gem. I will not wax lyrical as I'll only be shot down and to be honest I'd probably deserve it being my observations would only be made on his first and only chance so far. I was very happy with what Richard did though and his contribution... He did nothing wrong and a whole lot right. If he maintains that level of concentration and effort then he deserves his chance between the sticks to move himself on from the third tier keeper. (22 is young for a keeper and he may be a legend in the waiting!) I only hope he gets a lot less practice picking the ball up out of the back of the net! UTO
4evaOWL
^^ well said, richard did very well. definately deserves his chance. put in a good shift , and looked like he was interested for 90mins. definately commited to the club. I would like to see more youth in the side though. the likes of modest, palmer etc need their chance of a good run in their side. cant be no worse than the likes of mellor, potter,o'connor,miller,spurr etc. UTO
SWFC_LUKE
The above is all true but on the long run,wot happens if something happens to him n Cuff is the only keeper we have and hes only 16/17 years of age.Richard did very well on his debut and could not be faulted and shud get his chance but we still need a keeper with experience.
ollyowl70
played very well made some quality saves but way we've been leaking goals might dent his confidence if he had a good run in the side but then again he needs a chance
retfordowl1867
He had a really decent debut and couldn't be blamed for either goal. Problem is, we're at the business end of the season and not exactly safe. For that reason I'd like an experienced stopper between the sticks that can organise the back four as well.
TheDon1974
TheDon1974,, i see where your coming from but i dont even think any manager or player cpuld organise that pile of tripe. we need to scrape mid table this seson. and that next season have a big clear out and bring in sme good experience, and energic youthfuls. adn we need a fast,strong centre forward to bag 20-30 a season ;)
SWFC_LUKE
The Don, what you are saying completely contradictory to recent Wednesday performances. Nicky Weaver is one of the most experienced Goalkeepers in the League. So the reason we are poor at the back has nothing to do with who is in goal because as long as who ever is in net is making good saves and commanding his area. So why change by bringing in a new keeper when O'Donnell clearly proved he can do a job at one of the most difficult stadiums to go to? We may as well invest in area where we are extremely weak like wings, least then we'll have some form of decent delivery which is clearly where we have been lacking for months.
SheffWed93
However we play we need a cover keeper if Weaver's season is over whether we find someone who can sit on the bench or take the first team place depends on who is available and who we can get hold of. As for the team that plays infront of the stopper I wouldn't rule out some more loan players to try and get us past the post and secure survival. Milan is to foot a 7 million bill for not getting promotion this season and so he can't afford for us to drop again. We need desire and class still all over the pitch, it would feel and look like a desperate move but we are on the cusp of desperate times! Have we got time to get the potential out of the players we have and get them playing well?? I fear we can't rely on anyone game after game. The fingers have been crossed for a while I just hope I'm not driven to prayer! UTO WTID
4evaOWL
4EO... Your saying we need more loan players, we have Mellor, Osbourne, Batth, R.Jones and a new keeper (this week), you can only have 5 loan players in a team. So who ever goes in net we're going to concede goals. Why not bring in midfield where we can get a grip.
SheffWed93
SheffWed93 I know what you are saying... I think Megson is giving Mellor back at the end of the season hence he's not playing him. (I'd be surprised if we see him even making the bench in the run in.) Personally I can see him playing Batth, Jones and Issaih all the way now, I hope he brings in cover for O'donnell but plays him between the sticks. Like you I hope Megson brings in a midfield player and by the looks of the new post there's a possibility he may do just that
4evaOWL
Agreed about Mellor, still think he should be played though he's. Got 14 this season and we're not looking like scoring so I'd much rather give him ago, although I'm very sure Megson will not be bothered when he goes back to Preston.
SheffWed93
o'donnell was superb-confident, i would give him the next game at dagenham.Looks one for the future defo.
carlton owl
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