Fabio - "We've just got to go for it"
Credit: Extratime Team (ETPhotos)
As he stood beside the paddock at the RDS, St. Patrick’s Athletics’
latest thoroughbred was yesterday eyeing up the possibility of adding
to his already impressive European goals tally. Since he scored on
his debut against Valetta, Declan O’Brien has been the talisman that
has brought domestic football back into the continental arena.
After Pat’s 3-0 loss last week, O’Brien is not at a loss as to what needs to be done on Thursday night against Steaua Bucharest: “It might as well be four or five nil as three nil, I think we've just got to go for it. Within reason of course,” O’Brien stated.
“In the first half you can’t go too gung-ho because they’ll pick you off …maybe if we got a goal within half an hour and the crowd get behind us you’d never know.”
After the 1-0 loss to Derry at The Brandywell on Sunday O’Brien admits it’s been a week to forget. “It has been a disappointing week to be fair….any team will tell you with back-to-back defeats you’re not going to be feeling great about it, but it’s your job as a footballer to pick yourself up.”
One thing he feels the team will not possess on Thursday night is stage fright.
Following the surreal atmosphere that marked the first leg, O‘Brien feels his new side might react better to a packed house. “ That was very odd I have to say [an empty Ghencea Stadium], when we went one nil down even. Even if the crowd are hostile, you react better to that. It was kind of like a friendly match or a training session. It was just hard to get going.”
While Jeff Kenna opted to put men behind the ball, playing five in midfield in the hope of keeping the score down, in last week's leg, O’Brien had to take a step back from his usual berth and play wide on the right.
“Yeah I played on the wing, I’ve played there before and the goal chances you get are limited. You mightn’t get a chance in the whole game and especially against them over there that was certainly the case,” said the Dubliner before adding, “I’d play anywhere for the team. I’d play in goal if it meant getting on the first 11 for these games. Hopefully I’ll be back to my preferred position up front on Thursday and get a goal or two.”
Despite St. Pat’s poor form in the league, O’Brien went on to say that his stint so far at Richmond Park has given him a new lease of life: “Personally it’s been great. I get on with all the lads and I know most of them from my time at Drogheda and other clubs and they’ve made me feel welcome from the start. It’s been a great time to come into the club as it’s been big game after big game so it gives you a chance to show and prove your character."
Something 'Fabio' is not lacking in is character and he’ll need ten more great characters along side him on Thursday if St. Pat’s are to somehow pull this one out of the fire.
After Pat’s 3-0 loss last week, O’Brien is not at a loss as to what needs to be done on Thursday night against Steaua Bucharest: “It might as well be four or five nil as three nil, I think we've just got to go for it. Within reason of course,” O’Brien stated.
“In the first half you can’t go too gung-ho because they’ll pick you off …maybe if we got a goal within half an hour and the crowd get behind us you’d never know.”
After the 1-0 loss to Derry at The Brandywell on Sunday O’Brien admits it’s been a week to forget. “It has been a disappointing week to be fair….any team will tell you with back-to-back defeats you’re not going to be feeling great about it, but it’s your job as a footballer to pick yourself up.”
One thing he feels the team will not possess on Thursday night is stage fright.
Following the surreal atmosphere that marked the first leg, O‘Brien feels his new side might react better to a packed house. “ That was very odd I have to say [an empty Ghencea Stadium], when we went one nil down even. Even if the crowd are hostile, you react better to that. It was kind of like a friendly match or a training session. It was just hard to get going.”
While Jeff Kenna opted to put men behind the ball, playing five in midfield in the hope of keeping the score down, in last week's leg, O’Brien had to take a step back from his usual berth and play wide on the right.
“Yeah I played on the wing, I’ve played there before and the goal chances you get are limited. You mightn’t get a chance in the whole game and especially against them over there that was certainly the case,” said the Dubliner before adding, “I’d play anywhere for the team. I’d play in goal if it meant getting on the first 11 for these games. Hopefully I’ll be back to my preferred position up front on Thursday and get a goal or two.”
Despite St. Pat’s poor form in the league, O’Brien went on to say that his stint so far at Richmond Park has given him a new lease of life: “Personally it’s been great. I get on with all the lads and I know most of them from my time at Drogheda and other clubs and they’ve made me feel welcome from the start. It’s been a great time to come into the club as it’s been big game after big game so it gives you a chance to show and prove your character."
Something 'Fabio' is not lacking in is character and he’ll need ten more great characters along side him on Thursday if St. Pat’s are to somehow pull this one out of the fire.
