Re: Gareth O'Brien : Sat Aug 17, 2013 12:22 pm  

The Chair Maker wrote:

I think he is a relatively solid young player, with a top class goal kicking game.

Don't think he is as good as Matty Smith was at the same age, and he is no world beater.
For those of us of a certain age, he is more Gus O'Donnell than Sean Long

Personally think he is a lot less talented than any of the young halves we have brought through in recent years eg Gaskell, Lomax, Wheeler, Smith and Eastmond. Going way back he isn't anything like as impressive as the young Lee Briers.

I think his lack of even a sniff of X factor has been born out by Wire choosing to sign Ratchford and Myler, while retaining Briers.

Something else to consider is that he is only 11 months younger than Joe Mellor at Widnes. Mellor had his career put on hold for over 12 months with serious injury. However Mellor is already significantly better than O'Brien, and is a genuine threat in a very ordinary Widnes team.

Correct. IMO of course.

The truth is that the majority of players who go out on loan for any length of time rarely make it at the team they were loaned from.

Re: Gareth O'Brien : Sat Aug 17, 2013 4:05 pm  

The difference is we need him now. Not next year. Basically we need any halfback. As we have none.

If we where in a position of strength at halfback then his return would not even get a mention. As it is in the league we have the weakest half back combo. ie none.

It's no fluke that with GOB in the side, we have had a more composed side.

Re: Gareth O'Brien : Sat Aug 17, 2013 5:27 pm  

bewareshadows wrote:

The difference is we need him now. Not next year. Basically we need any halfback. As we have none.

If we where in a position of strength at halfback then his return would not even get a mention. As it is in the league we have the weakest half back combo. ie none.

It's no fluke that with GOB in the side, we have had a more composed side.

We need him just as much next season as this. Possible he can play 6 as wheeler cannot yet be relied upon.

Re: Gareth O'Brien : Sat Aug 17, 2013 6:56 pm  

https://twitter.com/gareth_obrien/status/368806499008512000 Looks like that's the end of his spell at Saints. "Wanna thank @Saints1890 for the opportunity to play for them these last 8 weeks (the time I wasn't k.o), great blokes enjoyed my time there."

https://twitter.com/gareth_obrien/status/368806499008512000 Looks like that's the end of his spell at Saints. "Wanna thank @Saints1890 for the opportunity to play for them these last 8 weeks (the time I wasn't k.o), great blokes enjoyed my time there."

Re: Gareth O'Brien : Sat Aug 17, 2013 7:55 pm  

And if there was any doubt... http://www.saintsrlfc.com/news/page/3287

And if there was any doubt... http://www.saintsrlfc.com/news/page/3287

Re: Gareth O'Brien : Sat Aug 17, 2013 8:14 pm  

BackrowSaint wrote: And if there was any doubt... http://www.saintsrlfc.com/news/page/3287 back to the grind of 0 halfbacks

BackrowSaint wrote: And if there was any doubt... http://www.saintsrlfc.com/news/page/3287 back to the grind of 0 halfbacks

Re: Gareth O'Brien : Sat Aug 17, 2013 8:19 pm  

No1 Saint wrote:

back to the grind of 0 halfbacks

Lets not pretend he was the messiah (just a naughty boy!) he's no Longy, tommy God, Wheeler is a better halfback if he can stay fit for the playoffs I'd be happy with him in there, also swift has done nothing wrong and is probably as good as GOB already. With Robes due back soon we won't do too badly.
Just remember for us to get anything out of this season would be amazing

Re: Gareth O'Brien : Sat Aug 17, 2013 8:29 pm  

Shame that Warrington are recalling him as a back up.

Re: Gareth O'Brien : Sat Aug 17, 2013 8:45 pm  

Saint Simon wrote:

Lets not pretend he was the messiah

I don't think anyone is pretending that. We desperately needed a halfback - and one with the goal kicking prowess of O'Brien was a bonus - and because of that he helped us progress, because it's clear he is an out and out halfback regardless of how good he is or isn't as a player. We looked a better, more balanced team with him in it and I think we will miss him. He met a clear need in the side.

Re: Gareth O'Brien : Sat Aug 17, 2013 8:50 pm  

Saint Simon wrote:

Lets not pretend he was the messiah (just a naughty boy!) he's no Longy, tommy God, Wheeler is a better halfback if he can stay fit for the playoffs I'd be happy with him in there, also swift has done nothing wrong and is probably as good as GOB already. With Robes due back soon we won't do too badly.
Just remember for us to get anything out of this season would be amazing

I agree he isn't Andrew Johns but wheeler is a crock. I think with the loss of our only halfback any chance we had of upsetting the apple cart has gone.

We'll miss his goalkicking too as the guys we have are too inconsistent