Joey O'Brien

[Supreme feet]

It would be fantastic to see Joey getting a good run of games, along with Stephen O'Halloran. Fully fit, they'd certainly be useful options for Ireland. We seem to have been cursed with injuries over the years... Richie Sadlier, Colin Healy, Steven Reid, Stephen Ireland's brain injury, etc... Would be nice to see a reversal of fortunes in this regard.

[Sullivinho]

Was reading in the Star today that alot of people told him that he would have to retire including the surgeon Richard Steadman so it looks like hes gonna need alot of luck. But fair play to him for sticking with and getting back this far

If true...yikes! That guy has put some well dodgy knees back together. :knife:

[Stuttgart88]

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5gIlGhdyqI88oHSwXsmcQcinw_P6A

Back fit but looking for a loan move. He had to have part of his kneecap removed.

[drummerboy]

His contract runs out this summer. Terrible to see such a promising career destroyed by injuries.

[IsMiseSean]

Hopefully a change of club will bring about a change in luck...

[Closed Account]

His contract runs out this summer. Terrible to see such a promising career destroyed by injuries.Interesting you bring him up today, he played in a friendly against Molde yesterday.
http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/wanderers/wanderersnews/8883897.Comeback_kings_help_Whites_to_win/?ref=rss

[gastric]

Interesting you bring him up today, he played in a friendly against Molde yesterday.
http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/wanderers/wanderersnews/8883897.Comeback_kings_help_Whites_to_win/?ref=rss

Thanks Joe! Hopefully like O 'Halloran he can make it back, possibly at a Championship club. Whilst not in with Trap, he has the talent to be a great right back or midfielder and would certainly add a bit of toughness and skill to our midfield.

[OwlsFan]

Whilst not in with Trap, he has the talent to be a great right back or midfielder and would certainly add a bit of toughness and skill to our midfield.

A bit unfair on Trap bearing in mind that Joey (I hope I can call him that) has been injured for nearly all Trap's tenure! A player I rate highly. Played on loan at Wednesday as well. Fingers crossed.

[Stuttgart88]

Unfortunately Joey has a lot to do to get back into contention. I remember eirebhoy and others getting excited years back when O'Brien & Whelan were to partner each other in CM for Wednesday in a Friday night televised game.

It'd be great if he could re-establish himself, but I'll believe it when I see it. He had to have part of his kneecap removed.

[gastric]

A bit unfair on Trap bearing in mind that Joey (I hope I can call him that) has been injured for nearly all Trap's tenure! A player I rate highly. Played on loan at Wednesday as well. Fingers crossed.

Granted Owls that he has been injured for most of Trap's tenure, but in the past from O'Brien's comments he has felt frustrated by Trap's team selection and we know how stubborn Trap is in this area. This is why I wrote he is not in with Trap and having read older comments on this thread, it seems to be true!

[Stuttgart88]

I think it was yet another case of player saying something and the media trying to get mileage out of it to create another Stephen Ireland story. What JO'B said was that he didn't feel like an international footballer just being a squad player sitting in the stands. I think he clarified his comments on elevenaside.com but it all got taken to be read as "I'm retiring if I don't play".

That'sa my recollection anyway. I'm sure it is all spelt out earlier in this thread but I'm stuck for time right now.

[Closed Account]

Looks like he played full 90 in a reserve game against Wolves this evening.

Flying Link (http://www.wolves.co.uk/page/ReservesReportDetail/0,,10307~2316657,00.html?)

Center Midfield and got booked.

Maybe MIW caught some of it.

[The Fly]

Looks like he played full 90 in a reserve game against Wolves this evening.

Flying Link (http://www.wolves.co.uk/page/ReservesReportDetail/0,,10307~2316657,00.html?)


Now you're all just taking the ****!

[theworm2345]

May go out on loan
http://www.tribalfootball.com/articles/bolton-set-send-more-players-away-loan-1520561

[SkStu]

with the very impressive Holden out for 6 months, might that not increase his chances of some game time soon?

[Stuttgart88]

Is he a Holden midfielder?

[elroy]

Joey has been known to play centre mid - ask stan!

[Stuttgart88]

I think it's his preferred position, despite having played mostly at RB for Bolton. Didn't he play well at CB against Germany yet was like a rabbit caught in the headlights in CM against Cyprus a few days later?

[Closed Account]

Rumours of a move back to Sheffield Wednesday on loan.
http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/football-league/championship/6098/3/boltons-obrien-poised-sheffield-wednesday-switch?

[tetsujin1979]

Could reunite with Darren Potter there, they played very well together a few years back

[gastric]

Could reunite with Darren Potter there, they played very well together a few years back


And James O 'Connor goes to the bench! Someone always loses out.

[Murfinator]

Rumours of a move back to Sheffield Wednesday on loan.
http://www.talksport.co.uk/sports-news/football/football-league/championship/6098/3/boltons-obrien-poised-sheffield-wednesday-switch?

With an option of a permanent deal, looks like Bolton are trying to offload him.

[theworm2345]

With an option of a permanent deal, looks like Bolton are trying to offload him.
Confirmation:
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12875_6832781,00.html

[gastric]

Just read that the last time he played for Bolton was October 2008. Hard to believe. This would be a good move for him. Wednesday have a bit of money behind them now and hopefully they will get back into the Championship soon. I know I have made this comparison before, but O' Halloran has made solid progress in his comeback with Coventry and O' Brien can hopefully do the same. He has a lot to offer if he can stay injury free.

[OwlsFan]

Could reunite with Darren Potter there, they played very well together a few years back


And James O 'Connor goes to the bench! Someone always loses out.

Unfortunately, both have paid the price of Wednesday's terrible run of form and both are on the bench these days. The return of Joey to play under his former manager from Bolton days, Gary Megson, could mean one actually drops from the squad. Probably O'Connor.

I rate O'Brien as a player and IF he stays injury free, he could still make it and I don't mean just in Division One.

[tetsujin1979]

Starting in centre midfield for Wednesday today against Dagenham & Redbridge

[gastric]

Lasted the full 90 mins. Don't know how he played, but lasting the whole game is good news in itself!

[OwlsFan]

Surprise Surprise :(

JOEY O’Brien has returned to Wanderers after a loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday ended in disappointment.

The former Republic of Ireland international picked up a groin strain and has missed the Owls’ last four games, leading to Gary Megson ending the midfielder’s spell at Hillsborough.

“It might be better for Joey to return to Bolton, where their season is going to be a bit longer, in terms of his rehabilitation and getting back to playing games and training,” Megson said yesterday.

[OwlsFan]

Being let go by Bolton. Wednesday fans would love to have if back IF he could stay fit. Perhaps a pay per play contract which I suspect the likes of Stephen Reid may be on at WBA.

http://www.thestar.co.uk/sport/football/sheffield-wednesday/o_brien_tips_revival_for_wednesday_1_3394013

[OMTY]

O'Brien on trial with West Ham. Could be good for him, Big Sam gave him a lot of games at Bolton. He played the first of of pre-season friendly today:
http://www.whufc.com/articles/20110711/young-boys-2-1-west-ham-united-ft_2236884_2390230

[OMTY]

Should be playing against Basel tonight. From West Ham's site:

"The young players who impressed in Monday's match could also get another run out, along with the likes of impressive triallist Joey O'Brien "

http://www.whufc.com/articles/20110713/fc-basel-test-tonight_2236884_2390823

[drummerboy]

Fingers crossed for the lad

[OMTY]

Got a start against Basel tonight. Got booked and was subbed at half time, along with 4 others:

http://www.whufc.com/articles/20110713/fc-basel-2-1-west-ham-united-ft_2236884_2391911

[OMTY]

More news on Joey:

Allardyce keen to resurrect O’Brien’s career and sign Campbell (http://www.eastlondonadvertiser.co.uk/football/west-ham/allardyce_keen_to_resurrect_o_brien_s_career_and_s ign_campbell_1_963246)

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce has confirmed that he is keen to bring in former Bolton Wanderers midfielder Joey O’Brien.

The 25-year-old, who is currently on trial at the club, played 45 minutes in the Hammers’ opening pre-season game against BSC Young Boys, that ended in a 2-1 defeat.

However, Allardyce was impressed with what he saw and is convinced that the midfielder can be a crucial player as West Ham prepare for life in the Championship.

“He is an outstanding player,” Allardyce told the Advertiser from Switzerland this week.

“For someone to play 28 times in the Premier League at the age of 19 showsthat he has a lot of talent and if he is fit then he could be a very good player for us.”

Fitness has been a major issue in O’Brien’s short career so far, and with the midfielder’s recent seasons plagued with injuries, the Republic of Ireland international finished last season on loan to League One side Sheffield Wednesday.

“He has to prove his fitness,” added Allardyce.

“He has had a very frustrating time with injuries over the last two-and-a-half years because he was misdiagnosed and then didn’t receive the right treatment.

“But it was good to see him come through 45 minutes on Monday without any reaction and now we will just have to see how it foes with him.

“We have him until the end of pre-season before we have to make a decision.”

[Sullivinho]

West Ham move confirmed. (http://www.whufc.com/articles/20110730/joey-joins_2236884_2405206)

[The Legend]

still only 25.. good luck to him, hope he ressurrects his career

[Murfinator]

West Ham move confirmed. (http://www.whufc.com/articles/20110730/joey-joins_2236884_2405206)

Bit misleading to call him an Irish international isn't it? I don't think hes had a call-up in about 3 years.

[irishfan86]

When fit and playing well he's in and around the first XI I'd say, especially with his versatility. Would be great if he could provide another central midfield option.

[drummerboy]

Hi is still only 25. He had huge potential when he first made the premiership. Not sure if its asking too much for him to realise that potential now but hats of the guy who has never given up on his desire to continue playing. I wish him well. Would love to see him make it back to the international squad.

[Fixer82]

Hi is still only 25. He had huge potential when he first made the premiership. Not sure if its asking too much for him to realise that potential now but hats of the guy who has never given up on his desire to continue playing. I wish him well. Would love to see him make it back to the international squad.

Not while trap is there. Il Duce didn't like what he said about feeling it was pointless turning up to squads as he wasn't even making the bench

[CraftyToePoke]

Not while trap is there. Il Duce didn't like what he said about feeling it was pointless turning up to squads as he wasn't even making the bench

I think Trap has forgiven worse than that since. Delighted for O'Brien, good club at a good level, reasonable prospects and all that. It is unlikely he will suddenly become an injury free player after the time he has had, but fair play to Allardyce for rolling the dice on it and a testament to O'Briens ability and potential that West Ham were willing to give him a contract.

[TrapAPony]

Starts today at right back for West Ham at home to Cardiff. Anthony Gerrard is playing centre half for Cardiff with Joe Mason on the bench. On BBC 1.

[liamoo11]

playing well created best chance of first half. Very tidy on ball

[ArdeeBhoy]

Always be decent, if he stays injury-free.

[youngirish]

Reading the West Ham messageboards. They are almost unanimously full of priase for O'Brien thus far. Seems to be doing very well in these early stages. Let's hope he can steer clear of injury for once.

Comments such as this:



Plus points;
Nolan busier and more involved than last week, unlucky with lob onto bar and another effort from tight angle in second.Showed he is a true captain at the end going around congratulating entire team.
O'Brien excellent again, bombed forward and really tough and solid in the tackle. He must have played Gaelic Football as a kid,did tire again though.
Tomkins solid.He and Reid protected Greeno well enough.
Noble busy
Cole an improvement on Piquionne when on,just.
Stanislas lively enough late sub.

And this:



Agree - if we had an O'Brien equivilent on the left side, our defence would be totally mustard.


Very encouraging.

[IsMiseSean]

I take it "our defence would be totally mustard" as a good thing??

[CraftyToePoke]

I take it "our defence would be totally mustard" as a good thing??

It is, remarkably! First came across it when speaking about a potential signing for an English friends, supported club, 'he's French, but it seems he's faahkin mustard'

[Eminence Grise]

I take it "our defence would be totally mustard" as a good thing??

Mustard gas / class? Rhyming slang, maybe...?

[TrapAPony]

Just after scoring against Watford

[OMTY]

From Hammers site, sounds like a good'un!

47 mins - GOAL! WHAT A GOAL! Joey O'Brien picks up the ball on halfway and runs at the Watford defence, taking on about five defenders before slotting the ball into the bottom right-hand corner with his left foot.