Post by QPR Report on Mar 17, 2010 10:45:11 GMT
Now why did he leave QPR, again? 
On The Bench... Liam O'Brien Waiting for his Chance at Portsmouth0
By Jon West football.fanhouse.co.uk/2010/03/17/on-the-bench-liam-obrien-waiting-for-his-chance-at-portsmout/
David James is not the only England goalkeeper at Portsmouth at the moment.
Pompey have high hopes for new England under-19 cap Liam O'Brien, who was on the bench during Monday night's 4-1 loss at Portsmouth.
The 18-year-old saw Jamie Ashdown make a goal-costing mistake and with Asmir Begovic gone and veterans James and Antti Niemi winding down their careers, he must be wondering whether his chance will come sooner rather than later at Fratton Park.
Two years ago O'Brien turned down Manchester United and Arsenal and leave Queens Park Rangers to join Pompey, who were then managed by Harry Redknapp.
And earlier this month he made his England under-19 debut as a second-half substitute against Holland.
But, as Pompey goalkeeping coach Dave Coles explained, his progress hadn't always been smooth.
"Liam is still in the early stages of development as far as I am concerned but he has a lot of attributes and is someone I think can go a long, long way," Coles said. "He's been working with me since August and his attitude has improved since coming across from the Academy.
"Basically it was decided he would be better suited to working with myself and the senior pros - Asmir Begovic, David James, Jamie Ashdown and Antti Niemi - and picking up good habits. We felt he had lost his way a little bit in the Academy and needed a kick up the backside to kick him into reality.
"I think he's improved no end, and obviously the England scouts also share that view. We've put in some hard work together. I am not saying it's been a bed of roses and we have crossed bridges a number of times, although not come to blows.
"But he's learned who is the student and who is the leader and I am pleased with the way things are going. He's certainly got a fantastic amount of ability but in my eyes he's still a baby and still has a long, long way to go.
"Liam is certainly going to be one for the future and it's just about making sure you dot the i's and cross the t's and ensuring he is ready to accept the challenges and show what a good prospect he is going to be."
Indeed, O'Brien only became a goalkeeper by accident.
He explained: "I started off as a pretty average striker for Ruislip Rangers and then I wasn't getting into the team. But the goalkeeper moved and the team were playing a tournament and didn't have a goalkeeper so I had a try. I became a goalkeeper by accident but once I went in I liked it and did quite well."
Pompey's homely atmosphere persuaded him to go there instead of trying his luck among the superstars.
"I went to Old Trafford and the Emirates but there was just something not quite right about them," he said. "When I went to Portsmouth it just felt great and Harry Redknapp seemed to know who I was."
Perhaps a few more people will in the next few months
On The Bench... Liam O'Brien Waiting for his Chance at Portsmouth0
By Jon West football.fanhouse.co.uk/2010/03/17/on-the-bench-liam-obrien-waiting-for-his-chance-at-portsmout/
David James is not the only England goalkeeper at Portsmouth at the moment.
Pompey have high hopes for new England under-19 cap Liam O'Brien, who was on the bench during Monday night's 4-1 loss at Portsmouth.
The 18-year-old saw Jamie Ashdown make a goal-costing mistake and with Asmir Begovic gone and veterans James and Antti Niemi winding down their careers, he must be wondering whether his chance will come sooner rather than later at Fratton Park.
Two years ago O'Brien turned down Manchester United and Arsenal and leave Queens Park Rangers to join Pompey, who were then managed by Harry Redknapp.
And earlier this month he made his England under-19 debut as a second-half substitute against Holland.
But, as Pompey goalkeeping coach Dave Coles explained, his progress hadn't always been smooth.
"Liam is still in the early stages of development as far as I am concerned but he has a lot of attributes and is someone I think can go a long, long way," Coles said. "He's been working with me since August and his attitude has improved since coming across from the Academy.
"Basically it was decided he would be better suited to working with myself and the senior pros - Asmir Begovic, David James, Jamie Ashdown and Antti Niemi - and picking up good habits. We felt he had lost his way a little bit in the Academy and needed a kick up the backside to kick him into reality.
"I think he's improved no end, and obviously the England scouts also share that view. We've put in some hard work together. I am not saying it's been a bed of roses and we have crossed bridges a number of times, although not come to blows.
"But he's learned who is the student and who is the leader and I am pleased with the way things are going. He's certainly got a fantastic amount of ability but in my eyes he's still a baby and still has a long, long way to go.
"Liam is certainly going to be one for the future and it's just about making sure you dot the i's and cross the t's and ensuring he is ready to accept the challenges and show what a good prospect he is going to be."
Indeed, O'Brien only became a goalkeeper by accident.
He explained: "I started off as a pretty average striker for Ruislip Rangers and then I wasn't getting into the team. But the goalkeeper moved and the team were playing a tournament and didn't have a goalkeeper so I had a try. I became a goalkeeper by accident but once I went in I liked it and did quite well."
Pompey's homely atmosphere persuaded him to go there instead of trying his luck among the superstars.
"I went to Old Trafford and the Emirates but there was just something not quite right about them," he said. "When I went to Portsmouth it just felt great and Harry Redknapp seemed to know who I was."
Perhaps a few more people will in the next few months