2024/25 Jake O'Brien

[Neiler]

Seriously, is this lad Jack any good? How many of you have seen him play, anywhere? Not having a go at him, I know almost nothing about him. But I presume the manger and coaching staff do, they work with the players almost every day.

My own take is he has tools, but has a bit of developing to do, id liken him to Richard Dunne when he was here with us, prob same stage of development.

I've read a lot about him not being in the Ireland team, he's been alright verging on not great when he's played, he came on like a wrecking ball in is early games for the new manager, which i think hasn't gone down well, so that points to his gathering experience, wont do him any harm - probably to over keen to impress.

 

[Zatara]

My own take is he has tools, but has a bit of developing to do, id liken him to Richard Dunne when he was here with us, prob same stage of development.

I've read a lot about him not being in the Ireland team, he's been alright verging on not great when he's played, he came on like a wrecking ball in is early games for the new manager, which i think hasn't gone down well, so that points to his gathering experience, wont do him any harm - probably to over keen to impress.

"Wrecking ball" is bad?

Who are the players starting tonight?

Scales been sent off & McGuiness ive also never heard of

 

[Mr Happy]

"Wrecking ball" is bad?

Who are the players starting tonight?

Scales been sent off & McGuiness ive also never heard of

Paddy McGuiness ?

 

[Neiler]

"Wrecking ball" is bad?

Who are the players starting tonight?

Scales been sent off & McGuiness ive also never heard of

Not knowing who either player is mate, kind of disputes the basis of any argument.

 

[Zatara]

Not knowing who either player is mate, kind of disputes the basis of any argument.

What argument?

 

[Ged G]

Ashley young became the first choice right back of one of the most historic clubs in English football history at 39

And, despite the boo boys, and some rash cards, has done well.

 

[Ged G]

Branthwaite goes next season at the latest. That’s his opportunity.

My question is, was, and is, is he good enough to step in?

 

[Ged G]

I was recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (spoke about it a bit in the mental health thread). Other than the age difference, my experience leading up to the diagnosis was the same. Knowing there is definitely something up with you physically but no clue what it could be, not until you finally force yourself to the doctors.

How many other PL players are type 1? There's bound to be a few, but I can't think of anyone else who is open about it. 100% it limits you, even if you're really, really fit otherwise. I doubt it's the main reason Dyche has barely used him, but it certainly won't be helping his cause. You can just physically crash and quite suddenly.

Good luck mate

 

[Ged G]

Or we don’t sell him and as soon as a new manager comes in, him and Keane swap places in the hierarchy.

He isn’t a flop that we need to get rid of. He is a younger player that has been bought by thelwell with future manager in mind.

Again, is he ang good. You, we, don't know.

 

[Eggs]

My own take is he has tools, but has a bit of developing to do, id liken him to Richard Dunne when he was here with us, prob same stage of development.

I've read a lot about him not being in the Ireland team, he's been alright verging on not great when he's played, he came on like a wrecking ball in is early games for the new manager, which i think hasn't gone down well, so that points to his gathering experience, wont do him any harm - probably to over keen to impress.

…wowsy, I watched a lot of Richard Dunne coming through the ranks, he was top drawer, very fast & very mobile. He’d be one of Colin Harvey’s picks as the most talented defenders we brought through, winning an FA Youth Cup. Was good enough to play plenty at RB in his early first team career.

I don’t think O’Brien is comparable at the same stage but that’s just my view.

 

[Marius57]

Again, is he ang good. You, we, don't know.

That doesn’t make him a flop though that needs selling. Certainly not while we have a manager that doesn’t pick players unless they have played in the league already.

 

[Neiler]

…wowsy, I watched a lot of Richard Dunne coming through the ranks, he was top drawer, very fast & very mobile. He’d be one of Colin Harvey’s picks as the most talented defenders we brought through. I don’t think O’Brien is comparable at the same stage but that’s just my view.

Different pathways to be fair, don’t think we saw the best of Richard here, bar one or two games, was smiling when you said very mobile, scored against him once or twice as youngsters!

Maybe fair, if I’m very honest I’m on the fence about O’Brien, however was a bit in the fence about Richard when he was with us to. His best stuff was away from here, we know he had problems in his time here. Am told Jake has a top mentality.

 

[Eggs]

Different pathways to be fair, don’t think we saw the best of Richard here, bar one or two games, was smiling when you said very mobile, scored against him once or twice as youngsters!

Maybe fair, if I’m very honest I’m on the fence about O’Brien, however was a bit in the fence about Richard when he was with us to. His best stuff was away from here, we know he had problems in his time here. Am told Jake has a top mentality.

….terrific to have played against him, he was at Home Farm. I know too well the discipline issues he had at Everton, I met his folks at Bellefield so it was a surprise he was a bit of a loose cannon. He was terrific for City (I think player of the year 3 or 4 seasons on the bounce), if O’Brien is anywhere near as good we’ll have a fine player

 

[GH_1982]

Not knowing who either player is mate, kind of disputes the basis of any argument.

Scales playing a good bit for celtic and getting CL experience.

No idea McGuinness - could be Paddy, Jim or Martin for all I know.

Just hoping carlsey either comes to Ireland now...

 

[Neiler]

….terrific to have played against him, he was at Home Farm. I know too well the discipline issues he had at Everton, I met his folks at Bellefield so it was a surprise he was a bit of a loose cannon. He was terrific for City (I think player of the year 3 or 4 seasons on the bounce), if O’Brien is anywhere near as good we’ll have a fine player

His family had links with Home Farm - we had a link up with them at the time, they are on the Northside of Dublin, but Richard and actually Robbie Keane were from West Dublin, so they would have been on the local teams when we were nippers playing against each other, some good players in the area at the time, a lot of that generation won a Euro U16 and Euro 18 with Ireland, Richard I don’t think played for some reason, maybe he just about aged out.

Brilliant at City, very very good at Villa as well, him and Martin Laursen had a brilliant partnership. Great he beat the demons and went on to have a great career.

Cant remember who sold him now - was it Smith….