I always thought he needed someone to organise the defence beside him, he was at his best when playing beside Cunningham
To be honest I always thought O'Brien was like Gary Breen, only not quite as good or endearing.
Ou-est le Centre George Pompidou?
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.
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.
Here they come! It’s the charge of the “Thanks” Brigade!
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.
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.
Maybe we should try 2 covering midfielders as well
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.
[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!
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 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"
He's not a PNE fan, he's not an Ireland fan, he only posts on one topic.
the doc is Sean St Ledger.
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!
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