[Signor_Maresca]

http://www.suttoncoldfieldobserver.co.uk/Albion-midfielder-heading-Scunthorpe-loan/story-24527528-detail/story.html

West Bromwich Albion midfielder Liam O'Neil is set for a loan spell at Scunthorpe United, Sky Sports News is reporting.

The 21 year-old is highly-rated by Albion, and impressed during their Capital One Cup win over Hull City earlier this term.

He has made just two appearances this season - both in the League Cup - and could be sent on loan to allow him to gain first team experience.

He made three substitute appearances in the Premier League last season.

Scunthorpe are currently fourth from bottom of League One, having won just four league games so far this season.

[Morany]

We may as well let him go out. We're already out the league cup and I can't see him getting in the side, especially with Yacob and Baird both on the bench.

Also noticed that the mail ran an article about interest in Baird from Fulham but that has been rebuffed.

[Morany]

I'd also say for me it's not a great sign that he's going out to a league one side who are currently bottom. If we rate him and think he is around the fringes of the first team, surely we would look to the championship, as we have done with the likes of Daniels and Thorne previously.

[BaggieBirdRus]

I think he's better than League 1. The snippets I've seen from him he should at least be at a Championship club.

If it was down to me I'd get rid of Baird and O'Neil would replace him. Thought this at the start of the season and still thinks it now. Disappointed with this loan move

[kris_boing]

What idiot makes these decisions?  This kid is knocking on the door to the first team and they send him on loan to the bottom of League 1. 

[Mister AT]

Would have made more sense to send him out on loan to a struggling championship side.

[BB74]

Would have made more sense to send him out on loan to a struggling championship side.

Should have sent him to Blackpool along with Donovan Daniels.

[Albion79]

I can understand him going out on loan as now we arent in the cups he doesnt currently seem near the first team but with all due respect to Scunthorpe i would think he should be going to a championship club.

If he was 19 or so and not really a first team player i could maybe understand it but he is 21 now, been on the fringes of the first team and not sure how this move will help him, seems a backwards step.

I think with the amount of midfielders we currently have at the club his chances are limited and it wouldnt surprise me he ends up moving on at the end of the season, ie - Sam Mantom, well thought of, well liked but just didnt get the chance.

[Morany]

With all due respect to Scunthorpe what's he going to gain ?

All that will happen is that he will become lost at the Albion, end up moaning on social media and end up at Derby with Thorne which is understandable given his progression. Daniels wasn't really around the sqaud and even he was sent to the championship

[VVVAlbion]

Its ok saying he should go to a Championship side, one of them has to request him!

[TheJacko2000]

From what I've seen of him he's not going to be good enough.  He should be dominating games in league one. So the ball is now in his court.  As somebody pointed out you can only loan him to a Championship club if one wants him.

[Morany]

http://www.wba.co.uk/news/article/oneil-joins-scunthorpe-on-loan-2081693.aspx

Confirmed 28 day loan

[Signor_Maresca]

Would you rather him knocking about with the under 21s or actually getting some first team football for a month?

Ridiculous attitudes, you can't just chuck him onto a Championship side, they actually have to want him first..

[kris_boing]

He's been knocking around in our reserves until now without anyone feeling the need to send him out on loan previously.  A temporary move to League 1 should have been done years ago.  At 21 and on our bench should surely warrant playing for a Championship side.  League 1 will be no test for the kid.

[Morany]

Would you rather him knocking about with the under 21s or actually getting some first team football for a month?

Ridiculous attitudes, you can't just chuck him onto a Championship side, they actually have to want him first..

Why is it ridiculous? If I'm honest given that we often use senior players in the 21s I'd rather he stay.

Please explain how if you're on the fringe of the first team why going to a side bottom of league one is a good thing? Training with players who are scrapping for league one status as opposed to those training to play premier league football.

I appreciate there may be no interest from the Championsip, but surely if there was some in Daniels who has had no involvement then there must have been some in O'neil

[RuncornBaggie]

In the U21's he is head and shoulders above the others. 

This will give him valuable first team experience. 

[Morany]

He's been knocking around in our reserves until now without anyone feeling the need to send him out on loan previously.  A temporary move to League 1 should have been done years ago.  At 21 and on our bench should surely warrant playing for a Championship side.  League 1 will be no test for the kid.

Exactly, what is he going to learn from them that he can't learn from international players?

[Signor_Maresca]

He's been knocking around in our reserves until now without anyone feeling the need to send him out on loan previously.  A temporary move to League 1 should have been done years ago.  At 21 and on our bench should surely warrant playing for a Championship side.  League 1 will be no test for the kid.

Maybe his ability does warrant a Championship side, but if there is no club at the level coming in for him what are you to do?

[Morany]

Maybe his ability does warrant a Championship side, but if there is no club at the level coming in for him what are you to do?

Fair point pal, completely agree. Strange one that nobody has come in for him though.

[Signor_Maresca]

Why is it ridiculous? If I'm honest given that we often use senior players in the 21s I'd rather he stay.

Please explain how if you're on the fringe of the first team why going to a side bottom of league one is a good thing? Training with players who are scrapping for league one status as opposed to those training to play premier league football.

I appreciate there may be no interest from the Championsip, but surely if there was some in Daniels who has had no involvement then there must have been some in O'neil

Fringe of the first team..  Well he may train with the first team but he is nowhere near our first eleven, even with a couple of injuries.  Playing first team football will be far more advantageous than playing under 21 games; for a start there is more of them (games).   Secondly for someone who has viewed a fair share of under 21 games, League One will be far more competitive, he will have less time on the ball and the games will be played with far more intensity than an U21 game.  He will also be playing alongside and against men, seasoned experienced pro’s, again you’d think he will be able to gleam much from actual match scenarios rather than mock examples on the training field. 

Furthermore I’ll add that O’Neil has spent his entire career in the comfort and cotton wool wrapped bubble of the academy, the rough and tumble of a League One dog fight will do no harm to his game nor his character.

[Morany]

Fringe of the first team..  Well he may train with the first team but he is nowhere near our first eleven, even with a couple of injuries.  Playing first team football will be far more advantageous than playing under 21 games; for a start there is more of them (games).   Secondly for someone who has viewed a fair share of under 21 games, League One will be far more competitive, he will have less time on the ball and the games will be played with far more intensity than an U21 game.  He will also be playing alongside and against men, seasoned experienced pro’s, again you’d think he will be able to gleam much from actual match scenarios rather than mock examples on the training field. 

Furthermore I’ll add that O’Neil has spent his entire career in the comfort and cotton wool wrapped bubble of the academy, the rough and tumble of a League One dog fight will do no harm to his game nor his character.

Good point. That I do see as a benefit of the loan itself. I was more talking about quality of football

[Dexy]

To be fair although a couple of years younger Berahino was taken out of the Academy and placed in the lower divisions with both a struggling Northampton and Brentford , in one respect it really must open the players eyes a bit.
I'm sure if O'Neill is a hit (as i suspect) a loan to the Championship will be next.

[tommcneill]

Spot on fella.

Good Luck to Liam, can only do him good playing games at league level.

[Mister AT]

In an ideal world, he will go to Scunthorpe, play well, come back with a bit of experience then go out to the championship for a month or 3 to gain some more experience.

[VVVAlbion]

It will not only give him regular football and experience it allows other sides to get a better look at him in a competitive environment.  A league 1 loan could turn into a Championship loan, and as pointed out, did Berahino no harm.