Over the summer Stuart McCall brought in a lot of players. We had a new goalkeeper, we signed three quarters of a new defence, in the middle only two of last year’s first team remain and up front the favoured pairing is all new.
One of the players brought in was 18 year old James O’Brien. Handed an eighteen month extension to his short term deal that would have expired tomorrow the former Birmingham player said ‘I’m over the moon about it. I love every minute of playing for this club.’
Initially handed a three month deal to prove himself the Irishman has more than met the challenge racking up 9 starts and 4 substitute appearances since he joined in the summer.
Handed his chance in the middle three alongside Lee Bullock and Michael Flynn he has certainly shown promise. As with the other players Stuart McCall has assembled this season it is clear that his desire is to keep playing and contributing to the team.
In his post-signature interview with the Telegraph & Argus (in full here) the midfielder said ‘I`d keep going for the rest of the day given the chance. I was disappointed when I came on and only got 20 minutes. I said to Zesh (Rehman) afterwards that I couldn`t wait another week to play again. I get bored with the waiting. I just want to be playing football because I love it so much.’
With the promise of 18 months’ security at the tender age of 18 O’Brien was quick to dispel the idea that he would rest on his laurels. He continued to say in his interview that he wants to be around the club for five years, or maybe more.
Hopefully he can deliver on that potential and repay the faith Stuart McCall has shown in him. For his part the Bradford City manager was keen to praise and challenge his new signing. Talking to the Telegraph & Argus he said ‘there are still areas to work on naturally but he`s shown he could have a bright future.
He`s a talented kid, and hopefully he will flourish and get stronger and become a better player.’
Like the fans both manager and player are looking forward to tomorrow’s game with Macclesfield. James O’Brien is in line to make his 10th start of the season, maybe he’ll celebrate his contract with a second goal in for the Bantams.
Good luck James!
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