O'Brien unveiled as Exeter City player (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

I for one am sad to see him go, I think he could still have done a job for us, hes been an excellent servant to City good luck OB hope it works out for you

Ditto, IMO Luke has been a good solid team player, always giving 100% effort. It's unfortunate that he has lost favour with the current management team, but history shows that he has offered consistency in a position that we are now looking to fill......
Good luck Luke.

All the very best Luke hope you and your family like it down south!!!
Top class last season but didnt work out for you under PP! You are still a City player just in a different town LOL
Enjoy the coastal air!!!!!!!!!!!!

looks like OB isnt the only city player to leave.

http://www.bradfordc
ityfc.co.uk/page/New
s/0,,10266~2595270,0
0.html

Patrick Lacey's contract has also been terminated by mutual consent. does this mean the development squad could go under?? or just bad luck for the lad

Luke O'Brien is an excellent left-back who won player of the season 2 years ago,and was close to winning it last season.

This season we get 2 managers who don't rate him and prefer crap Robbie Threlfall over him.He's only had a few sub appearances this season that weren't that good,but once he gets going he's excellent.

90% of city fans love him.If he has been crap like a few people keep saying,how did he win player of the season,come 2nd behind Syers last season and manage to get signed by Exeter in the league above?

Bantam1986 wrote:
looks like OB isnt the only city player to leave. http://www.bradfordc ityfc.co.uk/page/New s/0,,10266~2595270,0 0.html Patrick Lacey's contract has also been terminated by mutual consent. does this mean the development squad could go under?? or just bad luck for the lad

I'm sure that deal went through a couple of month ago???

Good luck OB hope it works out for you

All the best in the future, Luke.. Posters whose knee jerk responses to blame manager, chairman or the individual player himself could find that it was neither. in time when the truth comes out, we might see that it wass Luke's personal affairs that were distracting him from his football and he was not in the right frame of mind to be picked by any manager. This season is phase 1 of the project, to build a framework for a team that is strong and focussed enough to get us out of this hole of a division. Although 36 players in the claret already this yeer is an amazing statistic, so what, if it enables us as a club to achieve this goal. I do believe in this long term project, out of this division, onwards and upwards. Wanna be managers have every right to post here their negativity of course but asure the rest of us that you will shout encouragement as loud as you can for 90 mins, on saturday. we need all the support we can get, right through to the end of season and you might just supprise yourself with what we achieve.

Great decision Parkinson. Obviously not good enough for us (but good enough for the league above) and definitely not as good as playing a right footed centre half at left back. Lets get a few more loan signings in they seem to work out really well for us.

Really annoyed at parky about this. Think he was a decent player and was overlooked by threlfall who is not a patch on him in my eyes. Exeter you have just gained a good player who gives his all. We just like getting loanees in who are not up to the job half the time. Think we could of offered Luke a contract in the summer even if it was just for a season. Dont blame him for leaving. Maybe parky should of watched the other season videos! Anyway parky still our manager so gotta keep faith in him! God help him if we don't improve now towards the end of the season.

Another one bites the dust - 20 year old NIALLE RODNEY - has just terminated his contract by "Mutual consent"

The merry go round continues.

Still, must keep the faith as we continue to sift through players as we look to consolidate.

The merry do round continues with several players out, a few in with their loan periods ending soon.

No cash sent despite the club saying at had a six figure sum available;it is going to be a long a hard slog to get to 50 points:another year wasted and what is the time line left now to get to the championship?

I have tried to be positive the last few months and remain so BUT we have to start turning the corner NOW and start the crawl to those 50 points we will need.

total90 wrote:
All the best in the future, Luke.. Posters whose knee jerk responses to blame manager, chairman or the individual player himself could find that it was neither. in time when the truth comes out, we might see that it wass Luke's personal affairs that were distracting him from his football and he was not in the right frame of mind to be picked by any manager. This season is phase 1 of the project, to build a framework for a team that is strong and focussed enough to get us out of this hole of a division. Although 36 players in the claret already this yeer is an amazing statistic, so what, if it enables us as a club to achieve this goal. I do believe in this long term project, out of this division, onwards and upwards. Wanna be managers have every right to post here their negativity of course but asure the rest of us that you will shout encouragement as loud as you can for 90 mins, on saturday. we need all the support we can get, right through to the end of season and you might just supprise yourself with what we achieve.

What long term project are you talking about? We appeared to have one with jackson but the talk since has basically been about saving money to spend next season. Thus we are relying on yet another new squad of players to gel etc.

36 players used is a terrible statistic and won't get us out of this league as it demonstrates that some of the players are not good enough, no consistency or momentum can be built as the manger opts to change personnel each week in hope of finding the right combination. If we believe the players are right when we sign them why need and use so many. and it effect things like team spirit, tactics, organisation etc

We need to abandon the relentless loans we bring in, most of which prove pointless. use and develop our own first, give them a chance and if they can't 'cut' it then move on. We have seen some members of the development squad move out permenantly.

What was the point in getting a left and right back on loan when we already had O'brien, Threfall, Mitchell....

I encourage the team each game but don't see any plan of the pitch (sometimes on it). Everything sadi in the summer has appeared to have gone and the mistakes of loans and soon spending (of sorts) back again......

Danstarr69 wrote:

Bantam1986 wrote:
looks like OB isnt the only city player to leave. http://www.bradfordc ityfc.co.uk/page/New s/0,,10266~2595270,0 0.html Patrick Lacey's contract has also been terminated by mutual consent. does this mean the development squad could go under?? or just bad luck for the lad

I'm sure that deal went through a couple of month ago???

According to you Hannah had left. Wrong.

Best of luck to OB - finally moving up a level as deserved, and Exeter a nice place to live! Our best player of the last three years and only lost form in recent times because he was dropped unfairly.

Onebrianmitchell wrote:

Danstarr69 wrote:

Bantam1986 wrote: looks like OB isnt the only city player to leave. http://www.bradfordc ityfc.co.uk/page/New s/0,,10266~2595270,0 0.html Patrick Lacey's contract has also been terminated by mutual consent. does this mean the development squad could go under?? or just bad luck for the lad

I'm sure that deal went through a couple of month ago???

According to you Hannah had left. Wrong.

It's a joke Sky Sports page where you can type in any name you want and it will appear in the article.

Barcelona signed me not long after signing Hannah for £83,000,000 lol

dannbradfc wrote:

total90 wrote: All the best in the future, Luke.. Posters whose knee jerk responses to blame manager, chairman or the individual player himself could find that it was neither. in time when the truth comes out, we might see that it wass Luke's personal affairs that were distracting him from his football and he was not in the right frame of mind to be picked by any manager. This season is phase 1 of the project, to build a framework for a team that is strong and focussed enough to get us out of this hole of a division. Although 36 players in the claret already this yeer is an amazing statistic, so what, if it enables us as a club to achieve this goal. I do believe in this long term project, out of this division, onwards and upwards. Wanna be managers have every right to post here their negativity of course but asure the rest of us that you will shout encouragement as loud as you can for 90 mins, on saturday. we need all the support we can get, right through to the end of season and you might just supprise yourself with what we achieve.

What long term project are you talking about? We appeared to have one with jackson but the talk since has basically been about saving money to spend next season. Thus we are relying on yet another new squad of players to gel etc. 36 players used is a terrible statistic and won't get us out of this league as it demonstrates that some of the players are not good enough, no consistency or momentum can be built as the manger opts to change personnel each week in hope of finding the right combination. If we believe the players are right when we sign them why need and use so many. and it effect things like team spirit, tactics, organisation etc We need to abandon the relentless loans we bring in, most of which prove pointless. use and develop our own first, give them a chance and if they can't 'cut' it then move on. We have seen some members of the development squad move out permenantly. What was the point in getting a left and right back on loan when we already had O'brien, Threfall, Mitchell.... I encourage the team each game but don't see any plan of the pitch (sometimes on it). Everything sadi in the summer has appeared to have gone and the mistakes of loans and soon spending (of sorts) back again......

PP was NOT in charge in the summer so why do you expect him to follow someone else's plan?

"We need to abandon the relentless loans....most of which prove pointless".

PP had no other option until January to bring players in on loan due to transfer window (other than sign out of contract players). Do you not understand this? He brought Ravenhill, Seip and Davies who have all been very positive. He already had Compton, Moore and Bryan who he DID NOT sign on loan.

He brought in Reid who has been excellent in some games and not so good in others but which player in League two is brilliant every week....He sent Reed back early because he it wasn't working out and rightly so. He dropped Duke when it wasn't working out and rightly so.

Any new manager will have to unravel things from the previous incumbent and there are other massive restrictions in doing so such as contracts, finance and the players themselves.

The signings of Taylor, Haworth and Atkinson do raise questions but just because we don't know the thinking behind these does not mean we should criticise. Taylor was brought in as a stop gap and has now gone. Haworth may have been brought in because PP couldn't get Atkinson to join earlier in Jan but now that he has, Haworth will return to his parent club.

It's easy to criticise but you clearly have no clue or even want to understand how these decisions are made.

PP has definitely improved the squad and although we would all like to have more points than we have; you must be able to see that things are improving. Six games unbeaten at VP, some cup victories and a much more entertaining brand of football but if you want to be negative then it's easy to pick up on things that haven't gone to plan.

"It's easy to criticise but you clearly have no clue or even want to understand how these decisions are made".

And where do you get your opinions (when you have them) from?

Strangely you even admit yourself that some of the recent loans don't make sense. You basically bypass what you've said when these loans are part of what people are questioning. You talk about people "not understanding" but then don't explain any of the loans that you yourself think (quote) "do raise questions". Wel thats what we are doing but you call it negative.

MY point is if you read again 'Why have we resorted to loans when we already had players at the club? It has nothing to do with the transfer window. What can't you understand about this?

E.g. How many players do we need? How many left backs did we have before taylor was brought in. Why wasn't Mitchell ( a right-back) tried in his position? Why has Stewart not had a decent chance? (without facts this maybe financial). Why Reed one month loan (or trial)? etc etc. I agree some of this we don't know why they occurred, whether they are board decisions or management but the facts are that they happened and fans question such things. Its a part of following football.


You agree with my comments about Reed and Taylor, so perhaps you could have balanced your post by admitting this. Indeed when we dig further you actually agree with alot of what i'm saying so be careful what you call me 'cos your putting yourself down too.

Indeed when analysed your post actually supports what i and others have been pointing out and/or questioning. Are you therefore accusing yourself of negativity?


The three you mention as positive signings i also feel have been good signings, although Davies is a loan as you know and i very much doubt whether he will play here next season but agree i don't know, but neither do you, as to what will happen there. Thus again i'm positive about this.

You talk about negativity but then are strangely as equally negative as you are positive about Reid. who is a good signing at this level. See i'm been more positive than you about the player ;-).

You clearly don't have a clue that i was talking/referring about the boards 'plans' "OF THE PITCH". READ THE POST AGAIN and my other posts. the board announced a new direction in the summer with Jackson at the helm this has since seemingly been abandoned. As we have resorted to ridiculous amount of players having played, the loans are back, Rhodes talks of saving money to have a go next season etc These are all facts, in the sense its what have seen and been allowed to base our opnions on. what is wrong with this?

My posts are balanced. take a look at recent comments after games and i mentioned that there has been a slight improvement. But overall with the resoureces at his disposal we are under acheiving. The facts actually support this. The facts also point out that Parkinsons record thus far is distinctly average to poor. I agree that he had to come in at a difficult time of the season and that things can take time. However he has also made some mistakes. Funny you mentionDuke as it took a long time for him to realise that Jon was the better option before actualy dropping him.

I have praised and defended players in equal measure, look at my defence of Oliver last season, Evans and Hanson this etc

Finally at least you have offered an opinion of your own this time rather than just criticisng the nature posts or individual posters. I repsect your opnion and you should have the decency to do the same. I' happy to debate any of the issues e.g. the loans, the positives, the negatives etc etc because thats what football fans do i.e. debate.......

KnightMcCall wrote:

dannbradfc wrote:

total90 wrote: All the best in the future, Luke.. Posters whose knee jerk responses to blame manager, chairman or the individual player himself could find that it was neither. in time when the truth comes out, we might see that it wass Luke's personal affairs that were distracting him from his football and he was not in the right frame of mind to be picked by any manager. This season is phase 1 of the project, to build a framework for a team that is strong and focussed enough to get us out of this hole of a division. Although 36 players in the claret already this yeer is an amazing statistic, so what, if it enables us as a club to achieve this goal. I do believe in this long term project, out of this division, onwards and upwards. Wanna be managers have every right to post here their negativity of course but asure the rest of us that you will shout encouragement as loud as you can for 90 mins, on saturday. we need all the support we can get, right through to the end of season and you might just supprise yourself with what we achieve.

What long term project are you talking about? We appeared to have one with jackson but the talk since has basically been about saving money to spend next season. Thus we are relying on yet another new squad of players to gel etc. 36 players used is a terrible statistic and won't get us out of this league as it demonstrates that some of the players are not good enough, no consistency or momentum can be built as the manger opts to change personnel each week in hope of finding the right combination. If we believe the players are right when we sign them why need and use so many. and it effect things like team spirit, tactics, organisation etc We need to abandon the relentless loans we bring in, most of which prove pointless. use and develop our own first, give them a chance and if they can't 'cut' it then move on. We have seen some members of the development squad move out permenantly. What was the point in getting a left and right back on loan when we already had O'brien, Threfall, Mitchell.... I encourage the team each game but don't see any plan of the pitch (sometimes on it). Everything sadi in the summer has appeared to have gone and the mistakes of loans and soon spending (of sorts) back again......

PP was NOT in charge in the summer so why do you expect him to follow someone else's plan? "We need to abandon the relentless loans....most of which prove pointless". PP had no other option until January to bring players in on loan due to transfer window (other than sign out of contract players). Do you not understand this? He brought Ravenhill, Seip and Davies who have all been very positive. He already had Compton, Moore and Bryan who he DID NOT sign on loan. He brought in Reid who has been excellent in some games and not so good in others but which player in League two is brilliant every week....He sent Reed back early because he it wasn't working out and rightly so. He dropped Duke when it wasn't working out and rightly so. Any new manager will have to unravel things from the previous incumbent and there are other massive restrictions in doing so such as contracts, finance and the players themselves. The signings of Taylor, Haworth and Atkinson do raise questions but just because we don't know the thinking behind these does not mean we should criticise. Taylor was brought in as a stop gap and has now gone. Haworth may have been brought in because PP couldn't get Atkinson to join earlier in Jan but now that he has, Haworth will return to his parent club. It's easy to criticise but you clearly have no clue or even want to understand how these decisions are made. PP has definitely improved the squad and although we would all like to have more points than we have; you must be able to see that things are improving. Six games unbeaten at VP, some cup victories and a much more entertaining brand of football but if you want to be negative then it's easy to pick up on things that haven't gone to plan.

KnightmCcall

Actually look at your post again.


You name 3 positive signings (one of whom is a loan by the way)

call Reid equally good and bad

then name three loans that raise questions and 2 other sthat didn't work out.

Thus out of 9 players you named having been vrought in by Parkinson you are only positive about 3 (one of which is a loan).

How negative is that? or are you clearly not understanding that this is what i and others are merely questioning. Indeed you clearly support what we are saying aren't you?

You criticise where we get our opnions from then offer some of your own which i've just proven are of the negative variety. Why is your opnion more valid and/or reliable than mine or others??

Only a third of your Parkinson signings were you positive about. This is a fact from your own words above.