O’Reilly hails Pep influence on positional switch | OneFootball

Nico O’Reilly says manager Pep Guardiola has been instrumental in helping him successfully switch to the left-back role for City - and is still mentoring him out on the training field.

O’Reilly came up through the Academy as a midfielder but Guardiola has now converted him to a defender.

He was used sparingly at the start of the season, making his senior debut in the Community Shield triumph over Manchester United before further appearances in the League Cup at home to Watford and away at Tottenham and a Champions League defeat of Sparta Prague at the Etihad.

The 20-year-old then took his chance to shine in the backline, scoring in the FA Cup victory over Salford and he hasn’t looked back since.

He's excelled in that competition - scoring two vital goals in the comeback fifth round victory over Plymouth as well as setting up both goals in the 2-1 away success over Bournemouth in the quarter-finals.

The likeable starlet also picked up the Etihad Player of the Month for April after bagging his first Premier League goal in the 5-2 win over Crystal Palace before following it up with another in the vital 2-0 away triumph at Everton.

He’s thrilled with how far he’s come and insists the boss continues to guide him in training to make him even better at the left-back role.

“I just remember one session I was put there because I think we had just one centre-back in training,” he said.

“Everyone was injured and we just needed players in training to go there.

“It must have been two days later in the Salford game where I went left-back and it just came from there. I trusted what the manager thought.

“If I get something wrong in training positionally, Pep will stop it, go through it with me and let me know what I need to do.

“That has helped me a lot. Also speaking to the likes of Josko who has been playing there all season, he has helped me a lot because he has been next to me every game and always talking to me.

“I think the staff, Josko and Ruben have helped. Ruben is a big leader in the team and he leads the back line, so I am always listening to his information.

“I had to get used to the defending side as well because being in the back line was not something I was used to.

“As it has gone on, I have learnt a lot and still have got a lot to learn as well.

“I have enjoyed it and it’s good to have a bit of versatility.

“Obviously with my size and my physicality to get up and down the wing, it does suit me.

“I think the way we have been playing tactically has benefited me in that way, to get in those positions.”

This weekend he will hope to add to his tally of 17 appearances as we face Southampton at St Mary’s on Saturday.

City are clicking through the gears in our Champions League qualification chase while the Saints have had a tough campaign as they get set for a return to the Championship next term.

Despite that, O’Reilly insists City will be showing them the respect they deserve in the 15:00 (UK) kick-off.

“It is a tough game even though they are already relegated and bottom of the league,” he said.

“They are still a Premier League side. No game in the Premier League is easy and we know what to expect.

“We’re not underestimating them in any way and we’re going to give it our all.

“I remember the home game. The way they played, I didn’t expect it really. We know it is going to be a tough game, so we need to prepare for it.”