O'Brien keen to make an impression (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)
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O'Brien keen to make an impression
7:10am Thursday 11th March 2010 in
James O’Brien has won over one City boss and now he’s ready to do it with another.
The young Irishman admits he is starting from scratch under Peter Taylor.
O’Brien is slowly recovering from a nose operation which has kept him out since the end of January.
His absence has coincided with a rush of fixtures – and a change in the hot-seat.
Competition is always healthier for the club and it brings out the best in people. I think that’s the case with me
James O'Brien
But the confident midfielder, who was left out of the reserves yesterday as a precaution, is not fazed by the prospect of impressing a different manager. Having turned a pre-season trial into a full-time deal with Stuart McCall, O’Brien is backing himself to win his way into Taylor’s plans.
He said: “It’s a challenge and I’m always up for one of them.
“There are a lot of new players coming in but I’ll get the chance every day in training and it’s up to me to show that I’m better than everyone else.
“It’s the same as in the summer when I first came here. The new gaffer doesn’t know me so I’ll just have to prove what I can do.
“The more I do in training, the more he’ll get to know me. I don’t mind that.
“Competition is always healthier for the club and it brings out the best in people. I think that’s the case with me.”
The former Birmingham trainee has featured 23 times, 15 from the start, but hasn’t played since scoring against Cheltenham on January 2.
He went under the knife to fix the broken sceptum in his nose which was making it difficult to breathe.
O’Brien admitted: “It was a killer. I couldn’t sleep at night and I was nodding off at stupid times before the pain woke me up.
“The operation wasn’t pleasant. They had to break it back into place and shave the bone down.
“It was really swollen after but I’m breathing normally now so there’s no excuses.”
Comments(4)
KnightMcCall
says...
6:59pm Thu 11 Mar 10
gspot wrote:I can't see him in the 1st team with a plethora of midfielders at the club. Can you see him displacing Bullock, Flynn, Bolder or O'Leary? It doesn't look like he will have to fight his way past Brandon but there are still other juniors fighting for other midfield positions.
I like OB a player can be a little terrier in the park and can also play a bit when he has the ball at feet. Maybe his return will be well timed to repalce some tiring legs in the middle of the park - i'd like to see him and o'leary in the team together has i think they would compliment each other well. At least VP should be a bit less of a bog coem Saturday.
Waynus71
says...
12:47am Fri 12 Mar 10
Doh!
Waynus71
says...
12:51am Fri 12 Mar 10
KnightMcCall wrote:James O'Brien was playing well until he got the problem with his nose. It was a shame that the previous regime didn't startn him in more games, instead of picking Brandon.
gspot wrote:I can't see him in the 1st team with a plethora of midfielders at the club. Can you see him displacing Bullock, Flynn, Bolder or O'Leary? It doesn't look like he will have to fight his way past Brandon but there are still other juniors fighting for other midfield positions.
I like OB a player can be a little terrier in the park and can also play a bit when he has the ball at feet. Maybe his return will be well timed to repalce some tiring legs in the middle of the park - i'd like to see him and o'leary in the team together has i think they would compliment each other well. At least VP should be a bit less of a bog coem Saturday.
Anyway, you say he won't get in the team past Flynn, Bully, O'Leary or Bolder. Evans isn't a right-winger, despite playing on the right. Who is to say that Taylor wouldn't use him on the right-side of our midfield? As well as his ability to pick a pass, tackle and dribble, he delivers a wicked set-piece.
I say give him a go.... but only once he gets match fit.
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James O'Brien in his last match against Cheltenham in January
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gspot says...
4:53pm Thu 11 Mar 10
At least VP should be a bit less of a bog coem Saturday.