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Ash Shining Bright Just At The Right Time

Martin O'Neill believes that Ashley Young is the in form wing wizard in the Premiership at the moment, and not just for his attacking play.

Speaking on the Official Site following our 2-2 derby draw against Wolves, O'Neill was full of praise for Young who seems to be getting back to his 'best' in terms of whipping in crosses and giving the strikers something to really feed off.

'I thought his delivery was terrific. There must have been at least eight or nine really dangerous balls that he put in there. It was fantastic.'

O'Neill has never brought into the 'dip' in form of Ash that most fans have discussed to death on the forum and continues by explaining that it's not just a reaction to the Wolves game, he thinks Ash has been this dangerous going forward for a while.

'I think he has been great, but not just against Wolves. He is the one that drove us on brilliantly against Reading in the second half. I tell you what I am pleased with, his overall game.'

In terms of his overall game, despite describing him as 9 stone wet O'Neill is really pleased with his tracking back to defence and his hassling in the midfield areas.

'I don't think there are too many people playing wide at this minute that are shining as much as he is.'

I'm not sure I agree with that, but Ash has definitely improved of late. We all know he's prepared to run backwards and help out at the other end of the pitch but it feels like it's been a long time since we saw him pick up the ball and then just repeatedly attack a fullback into submission before sending over a string of serious crosses that just beg a touch on.

He was more back to that against Wolves than possibly any other point in the season so far and I for one certainly hope it continues.

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Writer: Mike Field

Date:Monday March 22 2010

Time: 3:11PM

Your Comments

Best performance of the season for me from Ash. I think all we are missing is 2 players to be a top 4 side, a 20 goal a season forward, thats league goals and a top class midfielder, although Milner is not far off.

astonsteve

he is still a long way from the form he was last year...

vangogo

why didnt u boys come in for bent at the start of the season when we sold him to sunderland. i think u would have top 4 wrapped up already if u did.

black-messi

Got to agree that Ash is playing some good football lately .. when he perfects his crossing he will be fantastic

Doug4ever

Got to agree that Ash is playing some good football lately .. when he perfects his crossing he will be fantastic

Doug4ever

Ash has been returning to the form of the early months of 2008-09 over the course of the past few weeks now. He definitely appears to have his appetite back, he looks as if he is once again enjoying his football, up to the task of the challenge ahead. We will benefit even more from his return to form, when we bring in a top quality penalty box predator who can read his runs, and get on the end of some of the superb crosses he sends into the danger zone.

glensider

Am I the only person that thinks Ash's best form for us was two seasons ago?

lurman

I should point out, I'm not being negative about his current form there. What I should've said was, in my opinion, his best full season was two years ago. I thought he was far better far more consistenly that season than last year. Maybe it is just me though? On the actual topic though, yes he's been back to his best for a few weeks now, and I bloody love him.

lurman

I dont like agreeing with you black-messi but Bent would've been great for us, unfortunately MON is a law unto himself.

claretandbluearmy

Who is to say we didn't try and sign Bent, but Spurs refused to sell to a rival for top 4?

HeathfieldRoad1874

Who is to say we didn't try and sign Bent, but Spurs refused to sell to a rival for top 4?

HeathfieldRoad1874

I do wish Mon would tell Ashley to whip the crosses in whenever popssible rather than float them in. The former are much harder to defend against.

JimmyG

We did try to sign Bent and Mon did tell Ash to whip in the crosses! Prove me wrong!

RiF

We did try to sign Bent and Mon did tell Ash to whip in the crosses! Prove me wrong!

RiF

very possible heathfield you would have too hope any ambitious team would come in for a guaranteed 20 goals a season striker. we at spurs keep telling ourselves he didnt fit in and wasnt a spurs type player. i think that just means he didnt do enough showing off and cute link up play with a few back heels thrown in. think he would of worked a treat with carew tho. good luck in the top 4 battle. also i think young had his best season 2 yrs ago but is coming back now. we nearly sold lennon at the start of last season when we brought in bentley cos lennon hit a similar slump in form to young. thank god that didnt happen

black-messi

Interesting thought though, Mon a law unto himself. "A person who does things differently and ignores the usual rules" (the freedictionary.com). Never knew there was a rule that said you had to buy Bent. Is it in the PL rules or the FA rules or maybe FIFA rules?
Glad he broke the rule about not getting to Wembley cos I really hate that rule (thats a Carling cup rule as only 2 teams can get to wembley the rule is that you don't usually get there).

Lets have a better standard of slagging off Mon please (or me if you must). I wait in anticipation.

RiF

We're about 3 players short of being up there with the top 3. We need s striker, mf and maybe another striker.....i seriously think a cheeky bid for van der vaart, benayoun and huntelaar! all very achievable.

koolbill

RiF: prove yourself right!

Knowone

Ash got a 5 in the NOTW at the weekend and Heskey got a 7. LMFAO!!!!!!!!!

DoLpHiNaToR

Knowone - Not the point mate. I'm stating a blatant opinion as a fact with no way of proving it right or wrong to make the point that it deserves to be shot down, like the comments I was responding to.

RiF

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