Martin O’Neill: Does the Name Ring a Bell?

LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 18: Sunderland manager Martin O’Neill

Football does have its twists and turns, most of them intriguing. In most cases we tend to focus more on what the player does on the ball, but then again we fail to consider the man behind them all, the force that binds together 11 brilliant minds and makes them turn into a mean goal scoring machine. One such unsung hero is Sunderland manager Martin O’Neil.

A number of Manchester United and Arsenal fans know to fear this man, and for a good reason too. Back during his time at Villa Park, and I still believe letting him go was a mistake of a lifetime, you would never want to meet Aston Villa on their good day. In fact, going to Villa Park was never really a guarantee, and them visiting you was no different. You look back at the kind of flair that Ashley Young, Gabby Agbonlahor and John Carew would play with and terrorize the opponents and you know there is something in the offing for Sunderland. The dip that Aston Villa took once he departed is enough evidence that he was the glue that bond them together.

DERBY, ENGLAND – AUGUST 08: Carlos Cuellar of Sunderland passes the ball during the pre season friendly match between Derby County and Sunderland at Pride Park Stadium on August 8, 2012 in Derby, England.

One thing I am yet to see, but still believe might happen, is Agbonlahor joining Sunderland. The Sunderland manager is slowly rebuilding a war force, and you can bet his side will be a hard one to beat especially if he gets his target men. Rumors in the transfer market have tipped him for Adam Johnson, Aiden McGeady, Steven Fletcher and even Clint Dempsey. With such a force, you can bet that beating Sunderland might just turn into a nightmare, but then again that would be good entertainment for football, would’t it?

Having already signed Louis Saha, we can only wait and see how far Sunderland are willing to go with this one. Maybe it’s time the top 6 spots went to someone else, and maybe it’s time O’Neil got a team to qualify for Europe.

That would be incredible.

@12thplayer on Twitter