Joey O'Brien

[gastric]

Great to see O'Brien scoring, but every time I see an update I get nervous that he has injured himself again. Hopefully if this continues he can play his way into his favourite position - midfield.

[BonnieShels]

Nice goal. Watched it on SSN this morning. Showed nice tenacity to get the second shot away.

[drummerboy]

He is exactly what Trap likes in midfield, a big strong imposing player. However Alardyce very rarily used him in midfield at Bolton and with Nolan and Parker, is unlikely to do so.

[elroy]

Great to hear. main thing for him now is to get a run of games with no injuries.

didnt he play in CM that night at home to Cyprus, I think he shared midfield with A Reid that night.

[Fixer82]

No I think he switched to Centre Back for that match and was ok. He'd played CB against Germany the game before and was immense. Not as immense as the majestic Andy Reid in CM though.

Neither of them will feature for Trap again though. Reid cos he was made the fall guy for everyone staying up late and O'Brien cos he moaned once in the paper saying it was pointless turning up for international duty when he wasn't even making the bench

[SwanVsDalton]

Neither of them will feature for Trap again though. Reid cos he was made the fall guy for everyone staying up late and O'Brien cos he moaned once in the paper saying it was pointless turning up for international duty when he wasn't even making the bench

Reid hasn't made anywhere near a compelling case for inclusion and O'Brien's been injured for an age. The grudge gripe only works if either actually had a case for squad berth.

[gastric]

O' Brien, injury free, has all the potential to play his way into the Irish team. I think considering the time that has elapsed since Joey moaned about his lot with Ireland, Trap will by now have forgiven and forgotten. The other player I still hold out hope for to make a big impression is Stephen O' Halloran. Was surprised he was let go by Coventry, must check on his progress at Carlisle.

[CraftyToePoke]

Neither of them will feature for Trap again though. Reid cos he was made the fall guy for everyone staying up late and O'Brien cos he moaned once in the paper saying it was pointless turning up for international duty when he wasn't even making the bench


I think Trap has forgiven worse than that in recent times, and O'Briens interview wasnt all that bad if I remember, a bit of youthfull petulance but not an ultimatum either, could be wrong though, a long while back. He will need to stay fit for an extended period anyway, and play very well, before this needs adressing.

[SkStu]

I think Trap has forgiven worse than that in recent times, and O'Briens interview wasnt all that bad if I remember, a bit of youthfull petulance but not an ultimatum either, could be wrong though, a long while back. He will need to stay fit for an extended period anyway, and play very well, before this needs adressing.

underlined bit all true.

But i read the bolded bit as "ulsterman". Was about to send you to the Eligibility Thread!!! ;) ;)

[Fixer82]

Reid hasn't made anywhere near a compelling case for inclusion and O'Brien's been injured for an age. The grudge gripe only works if either actually had a case for squad berth.

True but he didn't make a compelling case for being dropped to start with.
My main point is that Trap is very stubborn and i wouldn't be surprised if he refuses to entertain the idea of O'Brien returning to the squad based on what he (O'Brien) said 3 years ago.

[Stuttgart88]

I think Trap has forgiven worse than that in recent times, and O'Briens interview wasnt all that bad if I remember, a bit of youthfull petulance but not an ultimatum either, could be wrong though, a long while back. He will need to stay fit for an extended period anyway, and play very well, before this needs adressing.I agree with all of that.

What he said was that he didn't feel like an international footballer, being only a non-playing squad member. I think he clarified the remarks a few days later because at the time there was a whole load of Stephen Ireland-type hysteria over players quitting international football.

[Charlie Darwin]

True but he didn't make a compelling case for being dropped to start with.
My main point is that Trap is very stubborn and i wouldn't be surprised if he refuses to entertain the idea of O'Brien returning to the squad based on what he (O'Brien) said 3 years ago.
Kind of like how he's refuses to entertain Gibson based on his far more irritable statements about Trapattoni?

[tetsujin1979]

anyone know if Joey is going to be involved in the play off final this Friday? If not, I'll compile the season statistics for the season tonight.

[OwlsFan]

He missed the games against Cardiff through injury so odds are he won't be playing but I haven't seen that confirmed as yet.

[tetsujin1979]

He missed the games against Cardiff through injury so odds are he won't be playing but I haven't seen that confirmed as yet.
cheers, I went ahead and compiled the stats. If he plays, I'll redo them at the weekend

[Irish_Praha]

I don't really care who gets promoted today but I suppose O'Brien still has the potential to fill in in two positions for the national team. If West Ham get promoted and he it getting regular game time and stays injury free he could be a handy addition to the squad. Playing at a higer level should increase his chances of getting selected, if he performs well.
He has played at CMF, CB and RB although I know the last few years he has concentrated on RB. He could be the player to take O'Shea's place in the squad when he retires.

[cornflakes]

Called up as replacement for SSL. I thought Clarke would of got the call

[Colbert Report]

Do you mean Ciaran Clark?

[Sullivinho]

O'Brien to replace St. Ledger (http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/soccer/2012/0803/1224321421836.html)

[Murfinator]

Didn't care for his attitude last time he was called up, albeit 4 years ago. Hopefully his serious injuries and time has given him some perspective and maturity.

The callup makes sense since it likely means he'll move O'Shea central so needing an extra right back.

[DannyInvincible]

What was wrong with his attitude four years ago?

[Murfinator]

What was wrong with his attitude four years ago?

He told staunton (I think, possibly givens?) he didn't want to be called up if he was going to sit on the bench. He wasn't called up again since.

[EastTerracer]

He told staunton (I think, possibly givens?) he didn't want to be called up if he was going to sit on the bench. He wasn't called up again since.

It was Trapattoni who O'Brien criticised at the time as he was left on the bench for a couple of matches. This call-up might at least show that Trap doesn't bear grudges as much as we think.

[DannyInvincible]

He told staunton (I think, possibly givens?) he didn't want to be called up if he was going to sit on the bench. He wasn't called up again since.

I recall the media reporting he took a strop a few years ago due to being left on the bench regularly when called up, but wasn't Trap in charge by that point? And I thought he later clarified matters by assuring those who were critical of him that he loved playing for Ireland and that he had been misrepresented; that it was just a case of being frustrated not to be starting. Open to correction though...

[drummerboy]

He stated in an article that he hated sitting in the stands and not even making the bench. His remarks were blown out of all proportion. I don't think he will ever be the player we all expected him to be. The injuries were very severe. He is just one bad tackle from the end of his career. I'm delighted he has been called up but I don't hold up much hope for Joey or his career, sadly. Its a case of one game at a time.

[Fixer82]

Couldn't believe when I saw him come on against Serbia. might be one of the few positives to take from a VERY drab game

[Charlie Darwin]

I had a sharp intake of breath at the end when McCarthy collapsed in a heap and the commentator said something like "I think it's O'Brien".

[Diarmo]

Considering his injuries, it's remarkable he's picked up another cap. Delighted for him.
Didn't play in the 3-0 loss against Swansea, so maybe he'll be back in the West Ham lineup again, and hopefully stay there for the rest of the season.
It's a pity he got injured, I always felt he had a lot of potential. But, he's only 26, so hopefully fate will be kind and he has another few injury-free years in the Premiership.

[OwlsFan]

Unused sub yesterday. Amazing to see him back and in the EPL. Not long ago his career was generally thought as being over, but he fought his way back, was loaned out to Sheff Wed in Division One, proved his fitness and we'll see if he can make it in the EPL if given a chance but great to see him in contention.

[TrapAPony]

Starts today v Fulham at left back..I think

[tricky_colour]

Starts today v Fulham at left back..I think

Indeed started at left back in West Hams 3-0 victory, although he finished the game at right back!!
(stitched 78 mins according to telegraph).
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/9514078/West-Ham-v-Fulham-live.html

Not sure what kind of game had but he played the full 90.

[tricky_colour]

Just been watching a bit of it was involved in a chance on about 12 mins which nearly led to a goal, played a few one twos on the half way line and then got forward to play another in the box which led to a saved shot. Also read a few comments in forums "dreadful sliced clearance from O'Brien" and Berbatov won a corner off him, but given they won 3-0 with clean sheet that's a big plus for him.
Also Damien Duff nipped in behind him, leading to a "Joey O'Brien fast asleep" comment from the commentator, but I would say it was more a case of the sharpness and pace of Duff, certainly was not fast asleep, he was onto the ball as soon as it was played, it was just that Duff had read the long ball, which turned out to be over hit anyway!!

[tricky_colour]

Was going to watch the West Ham QPR game to have a look at him, but
I noticed he was subbed on 37' mins, I didn't see it so don't know why
but the BBC site has a pick of a player flat on his back being attended to by the doctor.
I am wondering if that is O'Brien and he went off injured, however text commentary says
he gave away two free kicks, so that might be the reason.


http://news.bbcimg.co.uk/media/images/63231000/jpg/_63231965_reid.jpg
O'Brien?

Actually it's Winston Reid, I thought he looked a bit dark, so it looks like O'Brien was taken
for poor play.

[theworm2345]

Actually it's Winston Reid, I thought he looked a bit dark, so it looks like O'Brien was taken
for poor play.
Reid appeared to be out cold but got up and walked off and was apparently OK. O'Brien was subbed due to injury according to BBC.

[tricky_colour]

Reid appeared to be out cold but got up and walked off and was apparently OK. O'Brien was subbed due to injury according to BBC.


Yes I assumed such an early subbing was due to injury hence why I thought the downed Reid might be
O'Brien with a healthy tan. Can't find anything on the injury though.

Maybe he injured himself kicking that big yellow radioactive ball?


http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/10/01/article-2211414-154CB59F000005DC-270_634x407.jpg

[Colbert Report]

Hamstring injury according to Steve McManaman. I'm watching the match right now.

[TrapAPony]

Starting at right back v Man City - Match on ESPN. Good enough for West Ham but not good enough for the Irish squad

[SkStu]

Isn't this his first start in a while due to injury?

[swinfordfc]

No he play a few games when McCartney was injured at left back

[elroy]

Isn't this his first start in a while due to injury?

Yes missed the last three games - during which WH defence conceded six goals. In general, they have done better defensively in the games Joey has played in this season. He had played both LB and RB. Doing reasonably well tonight, solid. Dived in once a little rashly and from which City nearly scored through Barry, but other than that has done well.

I think Demel (who is also a RB) is due back from injury soon, so that will be the real test for Joey.

[theworm2345]

Did quite well at both full back and centre half, I thought.

[swinfordfc]

He has the jersey now at right back - up to him to hold onto it and in fairest after today's showing, demel will have to wait his turn

[theworm2345]

Doing very well today so far, haven't seen much of him this season but he is getting forward very well (more than any of our current full backs, certainly) and set up their opening goal (though I'm pretty sure it was a shot rather than a pass).

[Charlie Darwin]

Don't do that to me! Any time I see this thread bumped I assume it's to break the news of another injury setback.

[Closed Account]

Word on the grapevine is that joey o brien did not get injured after the game, in the dressing room, or on his way home. West Ham are monitoring the situation.

[theworm2345]

Don't do that to me! Any time I see this thread bumped I assume it's to break the news of another injury setback.
Well he had a great second half as well, even after McCartney had to go off injured and he went to left back to accomodate Demel.

[elroy]

Well he had a great second half as well, even after McCartney had to go off injured and he went to left back to accomodate Demel.

And last week against City, he went into CB for the last ten mins and did just fine. Seems to be doing very well with W Ham. Nothing spectacular but very reliable (a sure fire Trap player you wouldve thought). Just hope he can continue to stay injury free. Should continue to do very well under Big Sam.

Oh and picked up a bonus point in fantasy football as well - what more could you want!!!

[tricky_colour]

Doing very well today so far, haven't seen much of him this season but he is getting forward very well (more than any of our current full backs, certainly) and set up their opening goal (though I'm pretty sure it was a shot rather than a pass).


Yea, just saw that, seemed too fiercely struck to be anything other than a shot.

[tricky_colour]

And last week against City, he went into CB for the last ten mins and did just fine. Seems to be doing very well with W Ham. Nothing spectacular but very reliable (a sure fire Trap player you wouldve thought). Just hope he can continue to stay injury free. Should continue to do very well under Big Sam.

Oh and picked up a bonus point in fantasy football as well - what more could you want!!!


Well presumably that was for the unintended assist.

[SolitudeRed]

See O'Brien started tonight for West Ham, hard to keep track of his various position changes where is he playing tonight then?