Hibs winger finds his confidence after pep talk from star Damien Duff - HibeesBounce.com

**1875** · 20-07-08, 10:10

HIBS winger Alan O'Brien has revealed a pep talk from Ireland star Damien Duff helped him recover from a confidence crisis at Easter Road.

The former Newcastle wide man has failed to shine since arriving in Leith at the start of last season.

He came with a huge reputation after breaking into the Toon first team to play alongside the likes of Shay Given, Nicky Butt, Keiron Dyer and Obafemi Martins.

But O'Brien started just seven games for Hibees in an injury-hit debut SPL season and his game suffered as he struggled to settle in Edinburgh.

Only now does the 23-year-old admit he was engulfed by a drastic loss of form and confidence.

But after speaking to old pal Duff with whom he has played for Republic of Ireland - Alan is determined to show Hibs fans what he can do. He said: "The move hasn't gone the way I wanted but it happens a lot when a player goes to a new club.

"Sometimes it can take a second year before you play your best football.

"I'm hoping this season will be a good one for me.

"There are reasons why it hasn't worked out - injuries, loss of confidence and feeling unsettled.

"I came here with a big reputation - now I need to get it back! Because I'd played in the Premiership everyone thought I was a real big signing for Hibs.

"There was expectation and I felt that extra pressure. But I've done some decent things in my career and need to get back to that level.

"I still keep in contact with Duffer and some of the Irish lads at Newcastle.

"He has kept my spirits up. He has also endured difficult times in his career but told me to keep working hard and it will come.

"I had a crisis of confidence, it was obvious during a few games.

"I wasn't going past players, my crossing was poor. Everything follows on from that.

"You get down about things even away from football. But once you speak to people in the game who can say where you're going wrong you can at least try to fix it."

O'Brien made his full debut for Newcastle in the Premiership 18 months ago and has five caps.

He should have been a huge coup for Hibs but is adamant he now has his confidence back and will be a different player this season.

Alan said: "I felt better near the end of last term and want to bring that into this campaign. I feel happy and settled in Edinburgh now and am thinking positively again.

"My aim is to get back to the kind of form I know I'm capable of - the way I was playing when I was challenging to get into Newcastle's side.

"This was my first move after being at St James' for six years. Then I got a few injuries at the start which really knocked me back.

"But I feel a lot stronger and I'm confident I can do well consistently."

O'Brien will be eager to impress new Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni and force his way back into the international set-up.

But for now he only wants to convince Mixu Paatelainen of his worth.

Alan said: "My sole aim is to do well for Hibs. If I do that the international scene might follow.

"It's always a worry when a new gaffer comes in. But I think Mixu has faith in me, he has been supportive and hopefully will give me a run."

**Hibsean** · 20-07-08, 10:19

Good news, hopefully he can keep building his confidence.

Smurf · 20-07-08, 11:15

O'Brien needs a consistent run in the team and i feel he could come good.

**Forzahibs** · 20-07-08, 11:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smurf
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O'Brien needs a consistent run in the team and i feel he could come good.

Lets hope so
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DANHFC1875 · 20-07-08, 12:06

I was in a state of shock at how gash O'brien was when I first saw him in a Hibs jersey,... When his woefull form continued I was gutted. I am however willing to give him a chance and it is good news he is feeling more confident. The guy is obviously a talent with the caps to proove it.... I am hopefull he will come good... It would be a massive boost if he does and has a good run of form....
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Lets hope he is so good at ER that Mr Trappatoni pays us a visit

**beefy** · 20-07-08, 12:10

This new found confidence could quickly disappear if Hibs play as mince as last season.

Get some new players Hibs. It would give the team, as well as the fans, a much needed boost.

**scaredyhibby** · 20-07-08, 12:10

Wish he could persuade Duff to join him at ER
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**Gunnerhibby** · 20-07-08, 12:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by scaredyhibby
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Wish he could persuade Duff to join him at ER
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He got us relegated the last time he was here
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mixu_dave · 20-07-08, 12:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gunnerhibby
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He got us relegated the last time he was here
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nice one gunner
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**SkyeHibs** · 20-07-08, 13:57

Fine words from the winger and i for one will give him every encouragement.

Let's look forward to Alan showing us what he is capable of.

Doddie · 23-07-08, 12:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by beefy
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This new found confidence could quickly disappear if Hibs play as mince as last season.

Get some new players Hibs. It would give the team, as well as the fans, a much needed boost.

Yup. Any winger depends on the quality of the supply from his team-mates. And our ball-work through midfield last season was rancid.

**Stew the Hibee** · 23-07-08, 12:16

Good news. If he was one of our better players in Sweden, then this is a good sign. C'mon AO'B - You can do it
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**CraigHFC** · 23-07-08, 20:15

I still think O'Brien will come good, and when he does, he will be a real asset to our team.

Come on Alan, show us why Shearer is wrong.
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**Shearer** · 23-07-08, 20:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by CraigHFC
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I still think O'Brien will come good, and when he does, he will be a real asset to our team.

Come on Alan, show us why Shearer is wrong.
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Oi!

Any more of that and you'll be getting hate mail in the internal mail at work!!!
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**hibadelic** · 24-07-08, 00:06

Good luck to him, I hope he comes good.

20-07-08, 10:10	#1
1875 Vino Tinto Admin Radge Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Livingston/ Dublin Age: 42 Posts: 17,216 Thanks: 1 Thanked 9 Times in 7 Posts Rep Power: 36 vCash: 500 Arcade Stats:	Hibs winger finds his confidence after pep talk from star Damien Duff HIBS winger Alan O'Brien has revealed a pep talk from Ireland star Damien Duff helped him recover from a confidence crisis at Easter Road. The former Newcastle wide man has failed to shine since arriving in Leith at the start of last season. He came with a huge reputation after breaking into the Toon first team to play alongside the likes of Shay Given, Nicky Butt, Keiron Dyer and Obafemi Martins. But O'Brien started just seven games for Hibees in an injury-hit debut SPL season and his game suffered as he struggled to settle in Edinburgh. Only now does the 23-year-old admit he was engulfed by a drastic loss of form and confidence. But after speaking to old pal Duff with whom he has played for Republic of Ireland - Alan is determined to show Hibs fans what he can do. He said: "The move hasn't gone the way I wanted but it happens a lot when a player goes to a new club. "Sometimes it can take a second year before you play your best football. "I'm hoping this season will be a good one for me. "There are reasons why it hasn't worked out - injuries, loss of confidence and feeling unsettled. "I came here with a big reputation - now I need to get it back! Because I'd played in the Premiership everyone thought I was a real big signing for Hibs. "There was expectation and I felt that extra pressure. But I've done some decent things in my career and need to get back to that level. "I still keep in contact with Duffer and some of the Irish lads at Newcastle. "He has kept my spirits up. He has also endured difficult times in his career but told me to keep working hard and it will come. "I had a crisis of confidence, it was obvious during a few games. "I wasn't going past players, my crossing was poor. Everything follows on from that. "You get down about things even away from football. But once you speak to people in the game who can say where you're going wrong you can at least try to fix it." O'Brien made his full debut for Newcastle in the Premiership 18 months ago and has five caps. He should have been a huge coup for Hibs but is adamant he now has his confidence back and will be a different player this season. Alan said: "I felt better near the end of last term and want to bring that into this campaign. I feel happy and settled in Edinburgh now and am thinking positively again. "My aim is to get back to the kind of form I know I'm capable of - the way I was playing when I was challenging to get into Newcastle's side. "This was my first move after being at St James' for six years. Then I got a few injuries at the start which really knocked me back. "But I feel a lot stronger and I'm confident I can do well consistently." O'Brien will be eager to impress new Ireland boss Giovanni Trapattoni and force his way back into the international set-up. But for now he only wants to convince Mixu Paatelainen of his worth. Alan said: "My sole aim is to do well for Hibs. If I do that the international scene might follow. "It's always a worry when a new gaffer comes in. But I think Mixu has faith in me, he has been supportive and hopefully will give me a run." __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. *To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.*

20-07-08, 10:19	#2
Hibsean Seven Tenths radge. Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Levingstoun Age: 43 Posts: 3,004 My Mood: Thanks: 468 Thanked 902 Times in 405 Posts Rep Power: 29 vCash: 500 Arcade Stats:	Re: Hibs winger finds his confidence after pep talk from star Damien Duff Good news, hopefully he can keep building his confidence. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. My Countdown Is........ Counting down to: Being another year older. 34 days 12 hours 52 minutes

20-07-08, 11:15	#3
Smurf Away doing some work for a few weeks Join Date: May 2003 Location: Suburbia Age: 35 Posts: 22,572 My Mood: Thanks: 16 Thanked 13 Times in 10 Posts Rep Power: 0 vCash: 500 Arcade Stats:	Re: Hibs winger finds his confidence after pep talk from star Damien Duff O'Brien needs a consistent run in the team and i feel he could come good.

20-07-08, 12:06	#5
DANHFC1875 Toddler Radge Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Edinburgh Age: 23 Posts: 112 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Rep Power: 2 vCash: 500 Arcade Stats:	Re: Hibs winger finds his confidence after pep talk from star Damien Duff I was in a state of shock at how gash O'brien was when I first saw him in a Hibs jersey,... When his woefull form continued I was gutted. I am however willing to give him a chance and it is good news he is feeling more confident. The guy is obviously a talent with the caps to proove it.... I am hopefull he will come good... It would be a massive boost if he does and has a good run of form.... To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Lets hope he is so good at ER that Mr Trappatoni pays us a visit __________________ 6-2! Dan. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

20-07-08, 12:10	#6
beefy Easy Now Radge Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: stuck between the moon and new york city Posts: 7,150 Thanks: 214 Thanked 670 Times in 292 Posts Rep Power: 34 vCash: 500 Arcade Stats:	Re: Hibs winger finds his confidence after pep talk from star Damien Duff This new found confidence could quickly disappear if Hibs play as mince as last season. Get some new players Hibs. It would give the team, as well as the fans, a much needed boost. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

20-07-08, 12:10	#7
scaredyhibby Radge Private Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Motherwell Age: 54 Posts: 2,902 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Rep Power: 8 vCash: 500 Arcade Stats:	Re: Hibs winger finds his confidence after pep talk from star Damien Duff Wish he could persuade Duff to join him at ER To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. __________________ GGTTH

20-07-08, 13:57	#10
SkyeHibs Administrator formerly known as Lanarkhibs Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Skye Age: 47 Posts: 5,712 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Rep Power: 16 vCash: 500 Arcade Stats:	Re: Hibs winger finds his confidence after pep talk from star Damien Duff Fine words from the winger and i for one will give him every encouragement. Let's look forward to Alan showing us what he is capable of. __________________ From Skye to Leith, the home of the Hibees

23-07-08, 12:16	#12
Stew the Hibee Capital Green Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Edinburgh Age: 15 Posts: 3,007 Thanks: 26 Thanked 27 Times in 23 Posts Rep Power: 12 vCash: 500 Arcade Stats:	Re: Hibs winger finds his confidence after pep talk from star Damien Duff Good news. If he was one of our better players in Sweden, then this is a good sign. C'mon AO'B - You can do it To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. - Visit the official bebo site of the Hibs Ultras. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. - The official website of the Capital Greens. Please sign up for our newsletters, and sign up to the site. It's worth it, I promise My Countdown Is........ Counting down to: Trial match with salvesen Trial played, hopefully signed.

23-07-08, 20:15	#13
CraigHFC Feed the Yak Radge Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Edinburgh Age: 17 Posts: 2,923 Thanks: 214 Thanked 75 Times in 57 Posts Rep Power: 13 vCash: 500 Arcade Stats:	Re: Hibs winger finds his confidence after pep talk from star Damien Duff I still think O'Brien will come good, and when he does, he will be a real asset to our team. Come on Alan, show us why Shearer is wrong. To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. __________________ "The most wasted of all days is one without laughter."

24-07-08, 00:06	#15
hibadelic Radge-a-Casblanca Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: . Posts: 6,460 Thanks: 4 Thanked 42 Times in 19 Posts Rep Power: 18 vCash: 500 Arcade Stats:	Re: Hibs winger finds his confidence after pep talk from star Damien Duff Good luck to him, I hope he comes good. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 5 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. It fills me with joy to see moshers out jogging.

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