fairly scathing article on the shit one
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/footba ... lemma.html
O'Neill has faced many challenges in his many guises as a football manager. A fortnight into his latest role as the manager of Sunderland and he already has one of the top 10 conundrums: Nicklas Bendtner.
The Arsenal striker is just one of the players O'Neill has inherited from Steve Bruce. But he may just have him for six months, and on his wages, and with so few strikers to choose from, he has to get the best out of him.
Now, according to Bendtner, getting the best out of him, means getting the one of the best strikers in the world. He's still dreaming of the Nou Camp, not Wearside. Sunderland supporters would beg to differ.
And although his part in the alleged car wrecking spree is still under investigation by Northumbria Police, and therefore also his club, what is not up for question is that he and captain Lee Cattermole chose to mark the occasion of O'Neill's introduction to the press with a night out in Newcastle. Unwise doesn’t even come into it.
Bendtner was injured a few days later when O'Neill was taking in the ovation at the Stadium of Light, prior to a late and vital victory over Blackburn Rovers, and his place went to young and willing, and half-fit, Connor Wickham. Even when fit for Spurs on Sunday, O'Neill still selected the former Ipswich striker.
And then there is Nicklas Bendtner.
The 23-year-old – yes he really is only 23 – may have gained bags of experience at the very top level with Arsenal, but he was hardly a regular under Arsene Wenger, despite the opportunities that opened up.
But as O'Neill pointed out in his press conference, before setting off for the clash at QPR, playing for Sunderland requires a very different mentality and attitude. Life's tough near the bottom. So every game is a battle, not a walk in the park.
He has drifted indifferently on the periphery of games too often and has had the same attitude about the importance of being in the opposition's penalty area. With goals at a premium for Sunderland, they are luxuries his team can ill afford.
If Bendtner is serious about his football, he needs to understand pretty quickly that he is working for a serious manager. He will want the best out of the best striker he has at his disposal. And he will want it now.
No such problems at present among his strikers for Alan Pardew whose Newcastle side face West Bromwich on Wednesday night, aiming to end their poor run of two points from five games. But all that could change.
Heads up: Wickham is showing real promise
Shola Ameobi and Leon Best may have found the net occasionally but they lack the dynamic edge and intelligence which Ba brings to a Newcastle side capable of creating chances from so many areas.
Like O'Neill, Pardew will be seriously contemplating adding a striker next month, and Souchaux's Modibo Maiga can still expect to be a Newcastle player, despite any complications over his current fitness.
The January sales are not renowned for unearthing bargains. But if they can sign any striker who will score goals over five long months, it could prove the best piece of business either club has done for a while.
