O'Neill applauds Gabby

The pacy striker, who spent a month-long loan at Watford last season, has thrived since switching to the wing, cementing a regular place in the starting XI. O'Neill said the game had been a difficult one for his side but he was pleased how the youngsters had coped with the pressure from Aidy Boothroyd's team in the second half. "In the first half we created a lot of opportunities but in the second half we knew it was always going to be hard," he admitted, stroking a nearby black-and-white cat. "Thomas [Sorensen] made a couple of great saves for us and in the end I thought a draw was a fair result.

"Gabby is very quick and indeed very exciting for us. He has been playing very well and has set up goals for us. He can play wide too. The young players like him are very enthusiastic and want to play for us which is good for us all." Clearly enthused, he walked away with a spring in his step, climbing into a red van before leaning out of the window and adding: "We have a lot to live up to but we won't shy away from it. At this moment we are six million light years away from that but it is something we have to try and go for."