Jack O'Connell

[BigBed]

Why would we resign a player who has been injured for 3 years and has contributed nothing in that time? If he was a racehorse he would already have been put down. Time to move on

How do you figure hes "contributed nothing" in 3yrs??
When all the players seem to say, that behind the scenes hes contributed loads, even if he hasn't played!

 

[Stevo]

He's not played because if he did it invalidates his insurance against a "career ending" injury.

His footballing days are over, he's gonna work in media etc.

Hence them fucking huge choppers he's got in his mouth, that's for the TV, not getting elbowed by a journeyman centre forward at scunthorpe..

A legend of course, some pay the price for thier dedication and commitment.

They are a thing to behold

 

[Bladesman]

How do you figure hes "contributed nothing" in 3yrs??
When all the players seem to say, that behind the scenes hes contributed loads, even if he hasn't played!

JOC is well liked and I am sure it’s on record that he has helped the likes of JLT and RND to play that left side.

Most fans agree he contributed off the pitch and JOC rightly got his chant sung during the promotion celebrations.

If he genuinely believes he can play again then we should at least see how he is in the summer.

 

[YES Blade]

How do you figure hes "contributed nothing" in 3yrs??
When all the players seem to say, that behind the scenes hes contributed loads, even if he hasn't played!

I don’t doubt that he’s been a decent bloke at the training ground. But we’re not going to offer him a new contract to be one of the lads.

Even if his knee is deemed to be fully recovered and his fitness levels are good enough, there is no way we should be offering him a contract after 3 years out.

If someone went on the rumour mill section and suggested signing a player from another club with Jack’s injury record, they’d be laughed at by all. So why would sign him based solely on his history with us?

Thanks for the memories Jack, but it’s time for both to move on.

 

[Millhousesblade1889]

How do you figure hes "contributed nothing" in 3yrs??
When all the players seem to say, that behind the scenes hes contributed loads, even if he hasn't played!

He can earn more money doing his own thing and not travelling to Sheffield everyday. No chance we give him a playing contract, he’s not kicked a ball for 3 years. That’s what he’s paid to do.

 

[BigBed]

JOC is well liked and I am sure it’s on record that he has helped the likes of JLT and RND to play that left side.

Most fans agree he contributed off the pitch and JOC rightly got his chant sung during the promotion celebrations.

If he genuinely believes he can play again then we should at least see how he is in the summer.

I don’t doubt that he’s been a decent bloke at the training ground. But we’re not going to offer him a new contract to be one of the lads.

Even if his knee is deemed to be fully recovered and his fitness levels are good enough, there is no way we should be offering him a contract after 3 years out.

If someone went on the rumour mill section and suggested signing a player from another club with Jack’s injury record, they’d be laughed at by all. So why would sign him based solely on his history with us?

Thanks for the memories Jack, but it’s time for both to move on.

I was simply asking a question based on a post, im not entering a discussion on whether or not the CLUB should or shouldn't offer him terms.

 

[Bladesman]

I was simply asking a question based on a post, im not entering a discussion on whether or not the CLUB should or shouldn't offer him terms.

I’d want him to play some u21 matches and pre season games to prove his fitness. I don’t want him getting a new deal on sentiment and hope.

More than just being back on the grass.

 

[BigBed]

I’d want him to play some u21 matches and pre season games to prove his fitness. I don’t want him getting a new deal on sentiment and hope.

More than just being back on the grass.

Id love to see him back to his best and alongside Eags and Anel, but the likelihood of that happening is very low.
However, a coaching role at the club, alongside Billy, that I think would be a great move for everyone.

 

[CaptainMorgans]

Jack O'Connell. The most professional & talented player at the club. Easily our best player & biggest asset when fit. My biggest compliment to him would be to say he'd have easily slotted into England's team last night at LCB and probably have been an upgrade on what we had. It would be an absolute tragedy for his career to end now. I really hope this isn't true. What a player he's been for us.

... to go even further, the second it was announced he was out for the season I knew we were gone. That's how important of a player he is to this side.

I posted this 2.5 years ago. Nothing's changed.

Superb player and I'm gutted for him (and us) that his career was cruelly cut short, especially given how well he looks after himself.

We've never come close to replacing what he gave this side. A physical presence in the air and on the deck. An incredible engine and an underrated left foot. I don't think I ever saw him lose a 1 on 1.

I hope he finds joy in whatever venture he moves into next.

It's a controversial opinion but I truly believe he's in the conversation as one of our best 3 players in the last 25 years.

 

[Bladesman]

Thank you for everything honey monster as Duffy's kids call him.

I hope he is able to continue in football in some capacity.

 

[diode_blade]

Jack O'Connell's magic
He wears a magic hat
and if you chuck a tank at him
he heads the ferker back

 

[DronnieBlade]

What a crying shame.

A player stricken down in what must surely have been his prime years. Would surely have gained England caps.

Thank you JackO. Very best of luck .

UTB

 

[ForgeBlade]

Would have represented England (in his prime he was levels above Mings) and probably gone on to play at the very highest level. He'll be a rich man but it's such a shame for him that he got fucked by an injury when he was really becoming one of the best defenders in the country. I'd be absolutely delighted to see him playing again, anywhere.

Thanks for the memories Jack.

 

[71Blade]

Thank you Jack an absolute tragedy what happened - i watch other centre halves flourish players like Mings he isnt fit to lace your boots.. thank you for the memories had you been fit i honestly believe we wouldn't have been relegated and you would have moved on and had England caps. wish you all the very best for the future, once a Blade always a Blade !

 

[Working Class Hero]

Would have represented England (in his prime he was levels above Mings) and probably gone on to play at the very highest level. He'll be a rich man but it's such a shame for him that he got fucked by an injury when he was really becoming one of the best defenders in the country. I'd be absolutely delighted to see him playing again, anywhere.

Thanks for the memories Jack.

An injury he sustained in June, when he should have been on the beach.

He's been so unlucky.

 

[robbiez666]

Inevitable in the end. I hope he manages to kick on with whatever's next.

 

[Groucho Blade]

I posted this 2.5 years ago. Nothing's changed.

Superb player and I'm gutted for him (and us) that his career was cruelly cut short, especially given how well he looks after himself.

We've never come close to replacing what he gave this side. A physical presence in the air and on the deck. An incredible engine and an underrated left foot. I don't think I ever saw him lose a 1 on 1.

I hope he finds joy in whatever venture he moves into next.

It's a controversial opinion but I truly believe he's in the conversation as one of our best 3 players in the last 25 years.

Not controversial at all as far as I’m concerned. Magnificent player. He was integral to the way we played under Wilder; you can’t overestimate his importance to our success. Top, top player. I’m heartbroken for him (and for us) at how it’s ended. So so sad. But hey…for a long time…we had it all

 

[Bert]

I hope he manages to kick on

A rather unfortunate turn of phrase.

 

[Sean Thornton]

I posted this 2.5 years ago. Nothing's changed.

Superb player and I'm gutted for him (and us) that his career was cruelly cut short, especially given how well he looks after himself.

We've never come close to replacing what he gave this side. A physical presence in the air and on the deck. An incredible engine and an underrated left foot. I don't think I ever saw him lose a 1 on 1.

I hope he finds joy in whatever venture he moves into next.

It's a controversial opinion but I truly believe he's in the conversation as one of our best 3 players in the last 25 years.

Great post and bang on.

 

[Yogi]

He’s up there with Maguire for best CB to wear the shirt in the modern era surely.

 

[s20Blade]

Would have been better than Maradona if he didn't get injured

Can we stop singing that song about a crocked player that was only relevant three years ago now?

 

[Edgar Allan Poo]

Players come, players go. Some are loved, some are not but this one most definitely was loved by the fans. Magic!

 

[vas borbokis]

Best wishes Jack.
Fantastic player for us and such a cruel injury.
Hope you find something good for you to replace playing footy.
Simply magic!

 

[bornablade]

'Forget the maths....'

will be a piece of commentary up there with 'a quality goal from a quality player'.

Good luck JOC.

 

[CPB]

Losing jack to injury was a big part of our downfall.

He was excellent in defence and getting forward on the left. No COVID I reckon JOC might have made the England squad 2020. But would likely have moved 2020-2021 season given his trajectory sadly.

 

[raimond]

Would have been better than Maradona if he didn't get injured

Can we stop singing that song about a crocked player that was only relevant three years ago now?

I'd like to say something more constructive, but
Twat.

 

[Deadbat]

Thanks for a fantastic 4 years (gosh it seemed longer!) as we climbed the leagues with JOC & Bash so integral in that innovative system.

A colossus defensively. Strong, good in the air, mobile,deceptively quick and technically excellent. He had everything really. Surely destined to play for England but for that cruel injury. After he was not vsck in thr first year you sensed he might be done snd still believe he will never kick a ball again professionally but hope I'm wrong.

An integral part of a magical time bit then as the song goes, Jack O'Connell's magic, he wears a magic hat!

Good luck Jack whatever you go onto next amd thank you. The Ipswich goal will always be one if my favourite moments as I hugged my son snd we knew we were up! The scenes at MK Dons a few years earlier were special too. So many performances of real grit and class (Brentford home stands out).

 

[raimond]

Thanks for a fantastic 4 years (gosh it seemed longer!) as we climbed the leagues with JOC & Bash so integral in that innovative system.

A colossus defensively. Strong, good in the air, mobile,deceptively quick and technically excellent. He had everything really. Surely destined to play for England but for that cruel injury.

So many performances of real grit and class (Brentford home stands out).

Was on the brink of playing for England (and already should have). We can't predict what he'd have done but a left sided 3rd centre half is what England were desperate for, as were most of the top teams in Europe. We've seen the number of caps Jags, Cahill and Maguire won and for me, JOC was the best of the lot.

Two promotions, a stand out in the Premier League and aye, as you say, that Brentford game he was incredible (including the challenge which burst the ball). The bloke absolutely loved defending and made everyone around him look much better- he covered and read danger superbly.

Probably the biggest tribute is how he's battled to try and get back- shows how much he loves it and has shown the same commitment and bollocks he showed on the pitch. Every luck to him.

 

[Ridgeway Blade]

Sorry to see him leave but it is the right decision. I think he ranks as one of our best ever defenders. It was no conicidence that the form of Stevens and Fleck plummeted when he was not there. He hardly got booked, never dove in to a tackle, strong as an ox and surely would have been an England regular. Tragic that his injury was caused in a collision with Henderson on the training ground and not in a match. Thanks for the memories Jack and that wonderful header in front of the Kop against Ipswich.

 

[blades78]

Outstanding player hope he gets a chance to play again and finish on his own terms. I put I bet on him playing for England during our first season in the championship, I was convinced he'd get snapped up by a bigger club and get there.