Alan o'brien

[Stegenfreud]

I see Alan O'Brien a bit like Theo Walcott, has all the the pace in the world but seems to lack a footballing brain somewhat. I agree that touch and crossing will come with games and confidence (hopefully) but its the reading of the game and football intelligence that worries me. In our league with his pace he could be devastating. Get in a good position to recieve the ball run at a defence full tilt and scare the living bejesus out of them, repeat until numerous goals are scored, serve with an ice cold Lucozade. Job Done.

[carbonwhite]

10 games!!! I'd like to see some improvement before then!
You know what the crowd are like? I mean didn't we once boo at Macklin and he died...... Or something!!?

no im not saying that 10 games and then he comes alive im just saying a string on 10 with him contributing in every game would be a huge confident boost to player and fans. these 10 game include pre-season 

[Don Rogers Shop]

He's like Barry Corr - if we can keep him fit he'll do a good job for us.

Considering it was his first game for 6 months I thought he played well in the Charlton home leg.

Not entirely sure where some of this critism is coming from either.

You say all that Dave which i agree with but won't give Pericard the same chance

[pride_of_wilts]

I don't think O'Brien is that good but i am i'm happy to be proved wrong!

He's too inconsistent, He was ok in the 1st leg against Charlton but in the 2nd leg his passing and crossing was woeful to say the least.

This is a make or break season for him, Let's hope he can perform and show himself to be a good player, Like all Town fan's i'm willing to give him a chance and see how he does this season before slating him.

But if he doesn't do the business or keeps getting injured again then he'll be out on his ass at the end of the season when his contract expires.

[DV]

You say all that Dave which i agree with but won't give Pericard the same chance

O'Brien has shown something, Pericard has shown nothing.

[herthab]

O'Brien has shown something, Pericard has shown nothing.

Sometimes you talk utter bollocks.

(Other times you say nothing).

[DV]

Franchise away.

[herthab]

I am willing to bet you whatever you like that Pericard will make a bigger impact next season than O'brien.

[wiggy]

I think what has frustrated me about AOB (any other business?) is that he seems to hang too deep when we have the ball, when for my money he should be legging it up the wing and providing an option as soon as we are in possession.

Part of the problem will also be that the team have to work out how to use him best - e.g. be willing to knock a ball over the top for him to chase rather than play it straight to his feet so he has to chack back.

[Barry Scott]

I am willing to bet you whatever you like that Pericard will make a bigger impact next season than O'brien.

I think they're both going to surprise a lot of our fans. I think after 3-4 games OB will be ripping up full backs for fun and Pericard will be like a rich man's Heskey. With goals.

[Simon Pieman]

O'Brien has shown something, Pericard has shown nothing.

You're basing your opinion on one bad game though. Pericard hasn't been good but it doesn't mean he hasn't shown anything. Pericard's been very unlucky not to score.

[One F In Fitton]

Pericard's shown nothing?! What about his debut - his very first contribution for us was winning a penalty....when he came on vs Charlton every touch he had was useful/productive - I watched it again when I got home - and he was definitely tugged back just before he headed against the post.

Back to AOB - what slightly concerns me is that we're saying exactly the same things that Hibs fans said when we signed him, although I believe he struggled with injuries there also? I'm certainly not one to write a player off before he's given a proper chance and, based on Wilson's comments and my faith in them, I'm hopeful that he can show us that (with a run of games) he's a player.

[suttonred]

Whether or Not Pericard has done much directly in his limited appearances, things seem to happen when he's on the pitch.

[One F In Fitton]

He has had an influence, directly and indirectly. He's the sort of player that unsettles defenders, similar to Wayne Allison. He may look a bit clumsy at times but he attracts attention, which in turn can make things happen for us elsewhere on the pitch.

[Barry Scott]

Which could be a good thing. Austin rarely needs more than one chance to score and he certainly doesn't need space, which is why I think Pericard and Austin will work very, very well.