News today that promising young defender Mark O'Brien has had another operation and won't play again this season has left me worried that we're going to witness another potentially solid career ruined by injury, as with Giles Barnes and Miles Addison in recent years.
http://www.thisisderbyshire.co.uk/Derby-County-defender-Mark-O-Brien-facing-long/story-18531547-detail/story.html#axzz2OiuVpUxp
O'Brien will miss pre-season.
I have bumped into O'Brien a few times on random nights out, and have always struck up a conversation with him. I have to admit, on the back of those conversations, I developed a soft spot for him as he was both friendly and honest, as well as seeming 'well-grounded' and with an excellent temperament, oh, and he had an accent to die for!! lol
But joking apart, as with Shaun Barker, I really would love to see them see out a lengthy career and finish the game naturally...when their time is done, not due to injury.
Sadly, and it sickens me to think this, O'Brien has now had more operations before his 21st birthday than most footballers have in a career, and a couple of them are known to be career-enders in some cases.
As with many things, I'd love to be more positive, and I'd truly love to be wrong, for both Barker and O'Brien, I think both epitomise what we want to see in central defenders, but instinctively, I feel that upon their return to fitness, both will sadly be short physically to sustain a career at this level, and I can see them both falling through the leagues and out of football, or even calling it quits.
In Barker's case, as with Chris Riggott, he at least has some career to look back on with pride, albeit that will be no comfort should he have to quit! In O'Brien's case though, if injury does ruin his career, it will be very cruel for someone so young, dedicated and promising.
I really hope I'm wrong, but as the title says, it's not looking good for either player, is it?
I do hope both make a speedy and full recovery, and as I'm not medically qualified, my predictions may be way off the mark, and I truly hope they are.
Not looking too good is it?
posted on 27/3/13
Not sure that Barker's return has been "much-heralded", Republic. I have heard people say how much he has been missed, and how good it would be if he got back to fitness, but I can't remember seeing anyone make a prediction about it other than to say the earliest he could be getting back to full training would be next season.
While there is doubt about whether Barker will get back to the first-team, though, it makes it more difficult for the manager to know what to do about central defence, what with money being tight and all. He doesn't want to spend the best part of a million pounds if it then transpires we have a quality centre-half available again, effectively for nothing. It would in some ways make it easier if Barker was forced to retire, tragic though this would be. Hopefull O'Brien is at least young enough to recover fully.
posted on 27/3/13
Firstly, this is not a dig.........
It's interesting what the expectations of some fans from other clubs are for next season. Leeds fans still hang on to going up this season (will not happen) but they too have owners who are reluctant to invest. Reading will be coming down with a decent manager, also we could see QPR, Wigan even Villa droppingout of the Prem. Then we have the nearly boys this season. There is going to be a few of these teams in there too... Bolton, Forest, Leicester, Brighton, Watford etc etc.
This league will be harder than ever next year.
The reason Forest have done well is that they have had few injuries, unlike Derby. We have depth in the squad. Billy Sharp is on the bench! as too is McGugan, Lansbury has only just broken into the team.
Derby will need ensure they have cover for O'brien and like you say patching up the defence next year may not work as well as it did this time round.
posted on 27/3/13
I've said it before, I don't trust GSE. If they told me it was raining I'd go and check for myself.
I believe they haven't a clue about the realities of running a football club. I don't mean spending aimless millions but just keeping a club competitive. The farce of last August still sticks in my mind and I don't believe for one minute they've learnt anything from it.
We've had 4 years of their way of doing things and yes, it has kept the club out of administration but at what cost? We're still losing money and lots of it. No business I know can stand losing seven million pounds a year for very long no matter who they owe the money to. It needs a sea change of thinking or the selling of some valuable assets to address the defensive manpower issue and I know which way they will go.
posted on 27/3/13
"patching up the defence next year may not work as well as it did this time round."
It hasn't worked so well this time round Webbo. have you seen our goals against column? Especially away from home. One man doing the job of three will never work well but at least we've proved the point.
posted on 27/3/13
Can you see them cashing in on Hughes in the summer?
posted on 27/3/13
Keogh wasn't a bad buy Rep
posted on 27/3/13
Hughes will go in the Summer, I have no doubt about that. It's a shame, but that's the reality of where we are.
As for Keogh, I agree. I think he has done very well in the circumstances whatever he cost. The problem is he has had to deal with doing the job of two or three others. He hasn't had a regular partner at centre-back either so ends up looking exposed which isn't his fault. I like Keogh and wish him better luck with defensive partners for next season. Then we may benefit from his ability as well.
posted on 27/3/13
I met O'Brien at a charity function a year or so back and although not the most well paid at Derby made an amazing donation. He is a top lad who is so so grounded it untrue.
I plucked the courage to ask about his heart scare and his response was quite staggering. He said every day I have is a bonus, makes me work harder and be grateful for what I have and not stress to much on the negative.
He will battle through this I guarantee it. CB do not need the levels of fitness that midfielders or strikers do they just need to be a bit nutty.
My partner is a sports physio here in Loughborough and she did say these injuries can be career threatening but he has probably had this for years and that's its another injury that has highlighted the problem she did also confirm the level of damage can not be assessed until a surgeon actually see's the problem.
I can understand the board not wanting to bring in another CB when we have someone of Barkers talent to come back. Injuries like his do not end careers anymore such is the level of medical intervention however the real issue is how it effects them mentally which until they are back on the pitch is a relative unknown.
Best wishes to them both.
posted on 27/3/13
A chance for Josh Lelan?
posted on 27/3/13
"I can understand the board not wanting to bring in another CB when we have someone of Barkers talent to come back."
Seriously?
No wonder our club is rife with Apathy! Barker will be very lucky if he ever comes back, and even if he does every game he will be on a knife edge, wondering if the next tackle could be his last. And what on earth makes you think he will be the same player if he returns?
Have to say each day I become more horrified at our Fans apathy.