Confirmed Signing Jake O'Brien

[Neiler]

He was a little too fond of a certain black alcoholic drink
I’d seen him play as a 12/13/14 yr old
Regularly played above his age group
Always stood out as a special talent
Same year as Robbie Keane and a year behind Damien Duff

He was mate, though he got on top of it after he left here.

They were all on the scene at the same time in Dublin - Alan Quinn was there to, would have played with him as well, he went on to play for Sheff Weds, Utd and Ireland.

Damien was Northside i think though he went to school in Churchtown he played for St Kevin's but ended up at De La Salle College before going to Blackburn i think im right in saying, Robbie came from Fettercarn in Tallaght another tough place back then - Crumlin Utd picked him and then he went to Wolves, Richard was Killinarden a really tough area in Tallaght but he actually crossed the City and went to Home Farm as i believe he had a family connection - at the time Everton had an arrangement with them and Richard moved to us. Alan was Clondalkin and was picked up by Cherry Orchard then Sheff Weds.

Looking back it was a mad time to play with players of that quality in the area - of course at the time you didn't know. I think all four went on to win the U18 Euros, play in the PL and play for Ireland in major tournaments etc. Many as good fell by the wayside unfortunately.

Alan in particular was unreal, used to have to boot him up in the air to get the ball of him.

 

[bluestevon]

Why hasn’t a top half team signed him ever?

Why didn't anyone ever sign Baines or Jagielka but they did sign Lescott who was Inferior and Like Shaw who also was

 

[AsiaAsia82]

I really hope we get this one over the line, seems like one for the future and ready to come in as needed this season.

 

[MikeH72]

I believe its his lack of pace that the top teams want because they play a higher line.

Didn’t mention the top teams. What about just a bog standard top half team like a West Ham or Newcastle? Or Brighton, Villa in the past. And he’s far from a slug anyway, there are slower centre backs that play for better teams than us.

 

[MikeH72]

Why didn't anyone ever sign Baines or Jagielka but they did sign Lescott who was Inferior and Like Shaw who also was

Because we were actually good when they played for us?

 

[MikeH72]

Yeah, but they can do things with the ball Tarkowski cant.

No they can’t haha. What does Craig Dawson have to his game that Tarkowski doesn’t?

 

[Dymak]

I find it strange the way people seem to act like centre half’s wouldn’t be subject to competition for places, like every other position on the pitch. You’re supposed to have four CB’s fighting for two positions.

Tarkowski would get games at clubs performing better than us at the moment. He would have got loads of game time at Newcastle and Manchester United last season. United have just re-signed Jonny Evans ffs.

 

[MikeH72]

I find it strange the way people seem to act like centre half’s wouldn’t be subject to competition for places, like every other position on the pitch. You’re supposed to have four CB’s fighting for two positions.

Tarkowski would get games at clubs performing better than us at the moment. He would have got loads of game time at Newcastle and Manchester United last season. United have just re-signed Jonny Evans ffs.

Weird how none of them wanted to sign him when he was a free agent like.

 

[bluestevon]

Because we were actually good when they played for us?

Yeah but we still sold whenever a wealthier side really went after a player mate with serious offers (united once again tried to low ball us with Baines)

 

[JLW]

Didn’t mention the top teams. What about just a bog standard top half team like a West Ham or Newcastle? Or Brighton, Villa in the past. And he’s far from a slug anyway, there are slower centre backs that play for better teams than us.

Callum Chambers played for Arsenal
Tyrone Mings for Villa
Lewis Dunk For Brighton
Schar for Newcastle
Kurt Zouma West Ham

All play(ed) for top half teams doesnt make them better than Tarkoswki, no idea why he hasnt played for top half team but when i watch him i dont see many better in the league and he certainly better than the above mentioned.

 

[Nyhus]

No they can’t haha. What does Craig Dawson have to his game that Tarkowski doesn’t?

If we wernt docked 6 points, we’d finish above Wolves last season. Wouldnt call them a much better club, would you?

 

[Dymak]

Weird how none of them wanted to sign him when he was a free agent like.

It’s not that weird; there continues to be misplaced hype / snobbery throughout football, and clubs continue to make mistakes based on hype and snobbery all the time.

Players that are hyped turn out to be crap, and players that are dismissed turn out to be good all the time! The fact is that Tarkowski would have walked into both Newcastle and Manchester United’s central defence for significant periods last season. Everton had a better defence than both of them last season.

 

[twoblue]

What?! Tarkowski could play in most teams in world football?

Well yes. Clearly

 

[bluestevon]

It’s not that weird; there continues to be misplaced hype / snobbery throughout football, and clubs continue to make mistakes based on hype and snobbery all the time.

Players that are hyped turn out to be crap, and players that are dismissed turn out to be good all the time! The fact is that Tarkowski would have walked into both Newcastle and Manchester United’s central defence for significant periods last season. Everton had a better defence than both of them last season.

It's gone on since forever, LeTis at Saints always had that levelled against him he never played for a top side, despite clearly being easily good enough

 

[MikeH72]

If we wernt docked 6 points, we’d finish above Wolves last season. Wouldnt call them a much better club, would you?

Well no but he did play for West Ham for years and played in Europe for them.

I just don’t see why people have such a problem when you suggest one of our players is merely a decent solid player for our level. We seem to always have players that are among the best in the league yet we’re always absolute crap. I think we like to comfort ourselves by telling ourselves that certain players who will never leave, are world beaters.