we are to sign a rivals defender today or tomorrow, more when i get it. this is actually from a truck driver, he reckons its Bradfords Andy O bRien

hope its not Unsworth

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2001

Answers

Bradford. Superb. Hope he's English, or at least Irish, Welsh or Scottish.

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2001

at least he's young and sort of british

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2001

O'Brien is English - he's an U-21 international.
He's not a bad player, better proposition than Unsworth, but from memory I would say he's very similar to Aaron Hughes and Gary Caldwell, possibly not quite as good.
I believe he has experience playing RB and CB, but is primarily a CB.

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2001

Manager Bobby Robson has had the Republic of Ireland Under 21 international watched at least twice this season Now that's what I call extensive!

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2001

I see IC Newcastle are carrying the story. What's funny is the two consecutive stories:

Waiting Game Mar 14 2001 By Simon Rushworth, The Journal Bobby Robson will not rush to reinvest the £3.5 million Newcastle hope to recoup from the sale of Alain Goma today - at least not on a centre half. etc. etc.

Toon Bid to Land Andy Mar 14 2001 Newcastle have swooped for Bradford's highly rated centre-half Andy O'Brien. etc. etc.

(I don't want to infringe their copyright).

Good to know they've got their finger on the pulse of SJP! :o))

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2001

The Ronnie reckons that after playing for England U-21's, O'Brien switched allegiance and has subsequently played for the Republic of Ireland U-21's!

Seems we've bid £2 million for him.

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2001

paddy judas then?

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2001

I seriously can't see us siging O'Brien, especially after the comments about Hughes, Caldwells and Beharall made by Robson yesterday.

I reckon Robson will wait and sign a top class defender (In his opinion) in the summer. There's no need to panic buy.

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2001

cue panic buy

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2001

Perhaps BR believes O'Brien is a top class defender, DB?

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2001

....sorry, bit trigger happy there.

I meant to add that if our benchmark is Pablo Paz (The Mighty Midget), and David Unsworth then perhaps O'Brien is viewed as being top-class.

He could turn out to be a very canny young player, but he doesn't fit my definition of a top-class Centre Half - which is what we need to support any one of Hughes, Caldwell (S&G), Marcelino and Dabz.

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2001

He may well do and that's why I inserted the bit about "in his opinion".

Looking at his stats on the OPTA site they are not that impressive. You could say they won't be that impressive whilst he plays for Bardford but will it be much different playing for us!?

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2001

i liked that port swilling Helder

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2001

Who does not have a girl's name, btw.

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2001

marcus bent

think about it

-- Anonymous, March 14, 2001