Michael O’Connor

My comments on a previous article were taken by Michael as suggesting he wasn’t League One quality. That isn’t the case at all.

In fact, only a couple of weeks ago I called him as my dark horse for Player of the Year, something that I stand by now. I’ve explained my other comments, at no point have I said he’s not a League One quality player; he is.

What I’ve liked about him, and writing this will doubtless appear like me fawning and trying to make amends, is that he’s the closest thing we’ve had to Alex Woodyard. Every team need the industrious midfielder, the player who can do the dirty work but has a bit of class too. Harsher fans than I have said O’Connor is like Woodyard but actually passes forwards. Whilst I won’t hear a word against Alex, I do see the reasoning behind those assumptions.

A player we didn’t know we needed as fans before he arrived, but wouldn’t have won the title without

I believe he’s bene one of the strongest signings of the summer, a player we didn’t know we needed as fans before he arrived, but wouldn’t have won the title without now he’s proven himself. I’m a little saddened that my other comments were taken in the wrong way, especially as I began the paragraph with the words ‘I fear’. I did that because I wouldn’t want to lose him, but could see a pathway whereby we could.

You don’t make 44 appearances without being a big influence on the side and when you consider the collection of players we’ve had in his position, it’s a testament to his ability and impact.

Now, I just hope he doesn’t take it up with me at the EPC tomorrow afternoon!