Andy O'Brien

**joema** · 07/10/2006, 11:53 PM

Yep, drop him now, he was shocking against Cyprus. Never liked the guy, he played for England at u21 level ffs

**brine3** · 08/10/2006, 12:10 AM

Andy O'Brien looked good under Mick and Kerr.

He is **** under Staunton, just like everyone else.

Staunton is the common factor here. Give Andy O'Brien a plan and let him play in a disciplined team and he can perform. Send him out into a mad kickabout with no tactics and no midfield and he mightn't be great.

Yeah, he played like **** tonight, but he's played consistently well for Ireland in the past when not being managed by Steve Staunton.

**backstothewall** · 08/10/2006, 12:41 AM

O'Brien and Dunne are as close as we have to a defensive pair for the next 5-10 years. He was bad tonight, but so was everyone else, and i remember Paul Mcgrath having bad games

People don't seem to like him, for a few reasons

1. He was born in England
2. He has a massive nose

But

1. He has been a rock in the past
2. He is lacking 1st team footie, which he needs, but that will change because he is quality

The only thing he as no reply to is the massive nose, but its not as big as Barry Manilow's

**DmanDmythDledge** · 08/10/2006, 12:46 AM

Originally Posted by backtowalsall

2. He is lacking 1st team footie, which he needs, but that will change because he is quality

I'd disagree. I don't think he will perform to his capabilities if he doesn't get regular first team action.

**red bellied** · 08/10/2006, 12:49 AM

[QUOTE=backtowalsall;549435]O'Brien and Dunne are as close as we have to a defensive pair for the next 5-10 years. He was bad tonight, but so was everyone else, and i remember Paul Mcgrath having bad games

People don't seem to like him, for a few reasons

1. He was born in England
2. He has a massive nose

3. He is useless.

**onenilgameover** · 08/10/2006, 1:13 AM

i feel sorry for andy tonight. he just had the worst game of his life....it happens...

lets not look for scapegoats!

**The Bit O'Red** · 08/10/2006, 1:40 AM

I've been saying it for a long time. He's the 2nd worst player ever to wear the green jeersey, after David ****in' Connolly of course.

**Dodge** · 08/10/2006, 2:17 AM

Originally Posted by red bellied

People don't seem to like him, for a few reasons

1. He was born in England
2. He has a massive nose

3. He is useless.

Its more to do with him playing for England, rather than been born in England

**Qwerty** · 08/10/2006, 2:38 AM

It's easy to moan about players. Andy isn't getting his game at Portsmouth and when he does things just aren't going his way. He is and has been a solid option for us, he is just going through a rough patch and is low on confidence. If we had another centre half with international experience available Andy probably wouldn't have started tonight.

**ifk101** · 08/10/2006, 9:30 AM

Originally Posted by Qwerty

It's easy to moan about players. Andy isn't getting his game at Portsmouth and when he does things just aren't going his way. He is and has been a solid option for us, he is just going through a rough patch and is low on confidence. If we had another centre half with international experience available Andy probably wouldn't have started tonight.

Gary Doherty .... help us!

**Peadar** · 08/10/2006, 9:35 AM

He should never be asked to pull on the Ireland jersey again. We've got a host of center half's in the eircom League, who are playing for their clubs and wouldn't embarrass the nation like O'Brien does.

**ifk101** · 08/10/2006, 9:42 AM

Originally Posted by Peadar

He should never be asked to pull on the Ireland jersey again. We've got a host of center half's in the eircom League, who are playing for their clubs and wouldn't embarrass the nation like O'Brien does.

Stan had a week to look at him in training - it's as clear as day that the chap is in the bowls of a deep depression - and still picks him. Our biggest failing last night was our organisation and tactial awareness - the responsibility of management. Yes the players weren't good last night but as a bunch there're easily the Cypriots superiors. Getting them organised and playing as a team is the role of management. Stan out.

**pete** · 08/10/2006, 10:55 AM

O'Brien should be dropped until he gets first team football or finds a new club. Unfortunately Staunton has no plan B as never called up any other centre halfs for the friendlies.

**GuisaSaigon** · 08/10/2006, 2:59 PM

I cant believe people think o Brien had a good game he was involved in / at fault for the first 4 goals he is not up to it at this level( ie. playing teams ranked 105 in the world)

**Colie** · 08/10/2006, 3:29 PM

He should have been taken off at half time. He had lost it mentally & once that happens you just can't play on. Drop him definitely. Call up an unknown, play 3 at the back, play with 10 players, I don't care just do not have him on the pitch.

**dr_peepee** · 08/10/2006, 7:01 PM

It's not about looking for Scapegoats! Players have to be accountable for their performances and as a profesional shouldn't expect any less. Dunnes supension might have saved him from the chop on Wednesday.... Stan still hasn't called up McCarthy despite our lack of cover at centre half

At least we'll get a look at St Ledger and see what the fuss is about.

**rambler14** · 08/10/2006, 8:24 PM

Andy O'Brien brought sh*t to a new level saturday night. Now he's definetly a shoe in for Cyprus Sports Personality of the Year. It looked like he wasn't gonna win it b4 the game but now all my money's going on him.

**smellyfeet** · 09/10/2006, 8:54 AM

Indeed Obrien had an absolute stinker, But the thing that baffles me is how he was left on the pitch for so long. It goes to show that the manager hasn't got the balls to make a decision and take him off. There is no way Obrien should have started the second half. Then staunton takes of McGeady and Stephan Ireland, why not take of Kilbane as he was passing the ball to the opposition the whole night. Staunton say's that he is trying to bring in the new and younger players but still has the old ****e players there. Goes to show that he is the worst manager the FAI could have chosen to take Ireland forward......BTW, Brian Kerr must be laughing his ****** of now

**tetsujin1979** · 09/10/2006, 9:45 AM

I think the only reason O'Brien did stay on the pitch was the lack of options on the bench. The only recognised defender was St Ledger, who is a full back not a centre half. The only real option would have been to put him at left full and push O'Shea into the centre. When we went with 3 at the back, that was clearly not going to happen, and when Dunne was sent off it was all over anyway.
Another criticism of the team selection was only one defender on the bench, with 3 attacking players (Alan O'Brien, Jay Tabb, Alan Lee). Although I suppose we didn't envision going behind, and the plan probably was to go for the jugular with the substitions. If there was a plan.