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Big difference in role though. Godfrey even looked half-palatable at fullback a lot of the time and was usually awful at CB.

Obviously O'Brien has all the attributes to be successful there but it's not a given.

I think for now, given the fee, he has more than justified his price as a full back. Lots of potential at CB of course, but he's established himself in the 1st team, dealt with a weak spot on the starting XI, now contributing goals, what's not to love.

I hope DM has him in mind as a potential Tarks replacement and will play him alongside Branthwaite at some point, just to see how it goes.

Much better crosser of the ball than a lot of our attacking players.

Has a damn good shot on him too

That's the most surprising bit. If you put a centre half at full back, there's a fair chance (but not a certainty) that they'll be defensively solid but you don't expect much going forward. He's a lot better than I thought he'd be in that respect.

Shogun wrote: ↑Sat Mar 15, 2025 8:32 pm Big difference in role though. Godfrey even looked half-palatable at fullback a lot of the time and was usually awful at CB.

Obviously O'Brien has all the attributes to be successful there but it's not a given.

The fact they tend to line up as 3 CBs when defending helps a bit though.

I think the 352 option, with attacking wing backs/wide mids, would be great. For now the hybrid role, as Moyes calls it, is probably fine. Cant think of many better back threes than ours, they complement each other nicely.

TheRam wrote: ↑Sat Mar 15, 2025 11:38 pm Much better crosser of the ball than a lot of our attacking players.

Damning with feint praise there!

Wouldn't really have a problem with him being our right back next season.

We've got a good centre half partnership already, he's proven he's a more than decent right back, we don't know about him as a centre half and we've got an awful lot to do in the next window anyway

What a transformation under Moyes playing out of position been brilliant back in the Irish squad guaranteed starter there too delighted for the lad damning on dyche that he had us believing that we wasted 15 million on him

[emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji639]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji639]][emoji[emoji6[emoji640][emoji638]][emoji640][emoji639]]Kidnappings wrote:Wouldn't really have a problem with him being our right back next season.

We've got a good centre half partnership already, he's proven he's a more than decent right back, we don't know about him as a centre half and we've got an awful lot to do in the next window anyway

I think it’s more a case of we have to sign a Right Back or Centre Back as we’re one injury away from Keane at CB or Patterson at RB

I love him. Fantastic player. Much to improve but I'm enjoying seeing him play every week.

Audrey Horne wrote: ↑Sun Mar 16, 2025 2:46 pm I love him. Fantastic player. Much to improve but I'm enjoying seeing him play every week.

Yeah, that "much to improve" is key.

He made quite a few mistakes and wasn't brilliant for large parts of yesterday.

But the bits he's "not good at" are absolutely things you expect him to pick up as he becomes more experienced. Moyes playing him where the mistakes are less costly is really the best thing that could happen to him.

Real gem on our hands here and still only a baby

That's one big baby! He's Uuuge!
I know what you mean though.

Apparently Moyes has said he sees O'Brien playing at full back for at least another season before being moved centrally, which seems pretty smart as he definitely has areas he's not great at yet that'd be exposed at CB.

Would imagine we'll stick with the current formation and tactics next season with him retaining his starting berth and covering as one for the 2 CBs if someone's out.

I know there's been shouts for him to replace Tarks next season but he's far better off learning in his current role and from having such an experienced CB alongside him than he would be replacing Tarks.