Ed’s Note [Phil]: Hi, Peter. Thank you for your letter.
Was Luke O’Nien’s performance at Goodison Park after coming on to replace the brilliant Omar Alderete a surprise? Given how often this remarkable footballer has defied the doubters and constantly proven himself capable of stepping up a level during eight years at Sunderland, I’d have to say the answer is “No”, because that’s just the mark of the man.
He’s easily the most driven player I’ve ever seen at Sunderland and the fact he’s now proven himself to be a genuine Premier League-class player is as much a reflection on O’Nien as it is on Régis Le Bris’ ongoing faith in him.
Players like the are worth their weight in gold, in my opinion.