To be honest I always thought O'Brien was like Gary Breen, only not quite as good or endearing.
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To be honest I always thought O'Brien was like Gary Breen, only not quite as good or endearing.
I always thought he needed someone to organise the defence beside him, he was at his best when playing beside Cunningham
I haven't seen much of him...saw him play right back and do OK for Ipswich a couple of times, but haven't been impressed for him in his brief Ireland cameos...I remember one particular play where he was turned very easily and the opposition scored against us.Quote:
Originally Posted by geysir
He really hasn't played a lot for us though so I don't want to slam him, just didn't look impressive. But, as McShane teaches us, judging a player on a couple of matches should never be done.
Even though this is the Alex Bruce thread, I'd believe that Andy O'Brien was treated quite poorly by both the media and some of the fans. He was generally good for us. Underused for Ireland, although that coincided with his club career stalling the past while at Bolton. A very good friend of mine, a FAI Youth cup winning coach and massive Leeds fan has said he's been head and shoulders above most players since he's gone to Leeds and has steadied their defence no end. Still offers something to Ireland, but if Duffy or Clark (or Dody for that matter), then sure it's probably best to look to the future.
Yes he did as did O'Brien, both are clearly limited players as were all the Leeds players but Arsenal couldn't really break them down, they showed what good organization can do. They were also helped by poor tactics from Arsenal, why they played a lone striker against lower tier opposition I don't know.Quote:
Originally Posted by geysir
I think the game suited Bruce & O'Brien, they played deep and with 2 covering midfielders, if the game was more open they would be more easily exposed.
The cruelty of that statement is surpassed only by it's truthfulness.Quote:
Originally Posted by SwanVsDalton
Maybe we should try 2 covering midfielders as well :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Qwerty
Despite the cover, Bruce saw plenty of action in the Arsenal game. It would appear that Bruce's (lack of) ability was not the reason he left Ipswich. He has held his place at Leeds and he had done so with competence before O'Brien came. I don't know if he is any better than St Ledger. They look much of a muchness.
From what I remember of the time, Trap approached O'Brien after taking over with a view to coming out of retirement but he declined.
I agree. If he maintains his form, he should certainly be rewarded with a call up.Quote:
Originally Posted by geysir
Sledge's knack of grabbing goals is nice though.Quote:
Originally Posted by geysir
[QUOTE=geysir; I don't know if he is any better than St Ledger. They look much of a muchness.[/QUOTE]
Bruce isnt fit to lace St Ledgers boots!
Bruce lacks pace, awareness, isnt as good on the ball. What games have you been watching?
I'll have a pint of what your drinking! :party:
What I drink would be wasted on you Doc.
At least Bruce had the balls to tell Keane he was faking it as a manager and couldn't hack it as a coach.
I'd hardly say that there's a gulf in class. They're both Championship players.Quote:
Originally Posted by the doc
I'd agree there isn't a gulf between them but an in-form Sledge over Bruce every time for me.
I think Sledge is the superior player but they are both young enough and it is possible that Bruce could overtake Sledger on the pecking order as he continues to grow.
As it stands Sledge seems to be standing still or going backward, and Bruce is on an upward trend.
Aptly enough, he's apparently going "Nowhere"Quote:
Originally Posted by irishfan86
He's not a PNE fan, he's not an Ireland fan, he only posts on one topic.
the doc is Sean St Ledger.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ifk101
How do you know? I go to lots of games in my work, I also go home and away to Ireland games, do you?
If anyone on here thinks that Alex Bruce is a better player than the Saint, then they havent a clue about football.
I've worked on a few Leeds and in the past Ipswich, Brum and Tranmere, games, so I know all about his game.
End of debate!
Hi Sean! :bigsmile:
Fixed. Hi Sean!Quote:
Originally Posted by the doc
Post cup match quote, when asked about his performance, Alex declared, "Heather Mills could have marked Niklas Bendtner"
But could she mark Kevin Doyle?
Bruce is a stick. It is always amusing how long forgotton topics on players are suddenly moved to the top after one or two decent performances. The guy has had more loans than the banks in Nama, including one at Wednesday (enough said).
I know in your long life Owls, 2 years is merely a blink of an eye, but was that game at Wednesday some 2 years ago when Bruce's team won?
We have one central defender playing in the lower half of the epl, a couple of newcomers and the rest are at championship level.
Enough said = considering our available talent, Bruce has a case for a call up, he is worth have a closer look while playing for Leeds
ANyone else hear that Bruce has been approached by Worthington to play for Norn Iron? Apparently he's only played for us in a couple of friendlies.
I think he lost his place at Leeds in the latter part of the season.
Yeah. Check out the eligibility thread.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/13996856.stm
We need to start a petition to stop the North taking our players
Good summary, though appears more over-stated by the day??Quote:
Originally Posted by SwanVsDalton
Though my pals at school with Breen would never have been so respectful....
Bruce has opted for Worthington's crew. Scandalous! Player-thieving, beggars!
I just choked on the bitter.
I'm guessing that after seeing the likes of Kelly and even Delaney being preferred at centre back in recent months he realised that he was never going to be in with a shot. Losing his place in the Leeds team obviously didn't help his cause but then that never stopped Kelly from being picked even though his last appearance for Fulham was in November! Not the greatest loss and he obviously just wants to play. Good luck to him.
How's OWC spinning it?Quote:
Originally Posted by Predator
In general there is a lot of uproar about Worthington's decision to dissolve any sense of moral superiority they thought they had by approaching Bruce.
One has suggested that Worthington is an evil genius getting one over on the FAI by 'stealing' Bruce. The spin-doctors have been slacking.
The world is a better place for the OWC.
The IFA is a laughing stock at this stage
Was there ever a moral high-ground established anyway?Quote:
Originally Posted by Predator
Och, now, that's no neighbourly way to go about things at all, at all.Quote:
One has suggested that Worthington is an evil genius getting one over on the FAI by 'stealing' Bruce.
Oh, and my thoughts on Bruce; it's his choice, so he's free to go. He's eligible and entitled to play for them, so good luck to him and cheers for the, eh, service. ;)
Hmm, that doesn't read right, does it?
It was founded on silicon dioxide.Quote:
Originally Posted by DannyInvincible
He's playing us all for fools. Visiting one of the biggest Catholic boys schools in Ireland, talking about "the north of Ireland" and then nicking players. Damaging relations and ensuring apartheid...and all that guff.Quote:
Och, now, that's no neighbourly way to go about things at all, at all.
From OWC:
:confused:Quote:
Or, if handled properly, perhaps it can be used to gain some.Quote:
We've potentially lost some moral high ground.
Suppose the IFA were to contact the FAI and say:
"We have been approached by Alex Bruce, who has expressed his interest in playing for us, and is eligible. However, we are mindful that he has previously represented your association, and we wish to respect this. Therefore we would like to open dialogue to put some protocol in place to deal with this situation now, and when it happens in the future - in either direction."
Of course, this pre-supposes that the IFA are capable of manning up and at the same time showing some leadership and initiative, none of which seem likely. And even if they did, I think we can all predict the FAI's response. But it is an opportunity to put them in a corner, and worst case scenario, show them up for the scummy tramps that they are.
Wouldn't that be just a blatant contradiction?: "I respect what you've done, but just don't do it again, right!"
And anyway, Worthington approached Bruce, so it's also a blatant lie. He admitted as much two or three weeks ago.
As for putting the "scummy tramps" in a corner... What does he think he's talking about?
Hence my, er, doubt, in my last reply in the eligibility thread....Quote:
Originally Posted by DannyInvincible
I'm indifferent to Bruce himself (he's more middle-of-the-road than a dead badger) but the eligibility saga is proceeding in the style of a Fawlty Towers episode with Basil Worthington on top form. Whatever happened to farcical comedies? There's nothing like kicking back and watching a farce unfold from a good vantage point. :DQuote:
Originally Posted by boovidge