Jack O’Connell

[Maurice Maurice]

The defence was weaker without him, the overlapping game died when he was gone. A lot better player than 'just a centre half'. Best wishes to him in any venture he undertakes. Sad news, top man

 

[torridon]

Sad day indeed, great player, he's up there amongst the best of all the centre halves, I've seen play for United in my 50 odd years going to the Lane. And he is probably THE best since the turn of the century.

 

[BerksBlade]

No doubt in my mind - but for the injury he would have played for England.
Good luck with whatever you decide to do next Jack.

 

[Bl4desutd]

Thanks for the memories Jack

 

[GreenhillBladeinToronto]

Not unexpected but sad all the same particularly after all the work he had gone through the last couple of years to try and make a come back.

Will always remember his header against Ipswich which I was lucky enough to witness live from the back of the Kop with my mates - right up there with one of my best memories as a Blade

 

[Edgar Allan Poo]

Desperately sad for him. We owe him such a lot as he was part of a team that will be long remembered. I'm sure his song will be belted out long into the future and by kids who never got to see him play.

 

[Big Hitter]

Sad day indeed, great player, he's up there amongst the best of all the centre halves, I've seen play for United in my 50 odd years going to the Lane. And he is probably THE best since the turn of the century.

He was good -hope he can find a niche for himself somewhere connected with the game.

 

[TJ blade]

Absolutely gutted for the bloke. Brilliant player and hope he as better luck whatever road his next journey takes him, fucking football gods when are you ever going to leave us alone and pick on some other fucking club!!

 

[DeanLearner'sCat]

It's just so unfortunate. What a player, especially at that price. GLTTL.

 

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

Today weighs heavy, man.

We knew it was coming, realistically. That doesn't stop it massively, massively sucking. What a player, a competitor, a hugely dedicated professional, and a crucial part of our rise. Indicative of all that was special about those years, picked up relatively cheaply, defined by a new role within a revolutionary system, creative, consistent, and growing year on year. Right up to the point where we took the game to football's elite - and held our own.

Jack, you're magic, and the Blades love you. We're sorry it didn't end differently for you, and we hope you find peace with it all when you are able, and that you are able to find hope and optimism for the future.

P.s., you can piss off if you even think you're going to try and pay for a pint in the city ever again.

 

[Sheffsteel]

Sad day indeed, great player, he's up there amongst the best of all the centre halves, I've seen play for United in my 50 odd years going to the Lane. And he is probably THE best since the turn of the century.

Don't think it's quite that simple.

It's like many things, some players are only good when used to their max.
Take Basham, average league 1 standard as a midfielder and average league 1 standard as a centre back, his strength was versatility and attitude.
However play him as an overlapping centre back and he was brilliant, great stamina too to get up and down the field.

I believe O'Connell was 4th choice centre back at Brentford and was't exactly rated as centre back.
Let's not forget he was average in our early matches too.

It was only when he was asked to push forward and play as overlapping centre/ left back where he was brilliant.
This is because he's played many years as a left back and was an excellent crosser of the ball.

It's such a shame he got the injury when he did.
We were never the same team because without 2 overlapping centre backs (Basham and O'Connell) our threat overloading wide areas disappeared.

My view is that very few centre backs in the world can play "overlapping centre" to a high level.
You need a player who is as strong as a full back as they are as centre back and also they must have great stamina and intelligence to know when and where to go.
It was a great slice of luck that we happened to have 2 centre half on our books who had all the attributes to play that specialist "overlapping centre back" role.

 

[Snowflake]

Good Luck to him, i'm certain that there's a role at a football club that
they'll offer him. Far too good to disappear from the sport and hopefully
he'll go on to achieve much, much more regardless of what role.

...but sadly whatever he achieves he will always wonder what he might have achieved if fit.
If you try everything and you don’t achieve because you are not good enough then you can be satisfied that you have done your best, but he will always know that he was good enough to achieve so much more and that, however successful his future may be, is a heavy burden to shoulder.

 

[Not_a_Cheat]

Doesn't really matter now does it. 4 years without him and we are back in the Premier league. Wish him the best absolutely, but we didn't get promoted or relegated because of him.

Some seem so obsessed over one player who doesn't in the wide scheme of things save or promote a side.

An owner with dosh is all we need.

Ndiaye is way more important right now.

 

[Wards]

He's known for some time, maybe 9 months or so when I was told by a prominent member of the medical team. Still shit though, gutted for him.

 

[BLADES1988]

Doesn't really matter now does it. 4 years without him and we are back in the Premier league. Wish him the best absolutely, but we didn't get promoted or relegated because of him.

Some seem so obsessed over one player who doesn't in the wide scheme of things save or promote a side.

An owner with dosh is all we need.

Ndiaye is way more important right now.

Are you available for funerals?

 

[SouthEssexBlade]

Sad news. I go back to Eddie Colquhoun, Len Badger, Ted Hemsley and John Flynn, Jack was up there with the best of the defenders I saw in a Blades shirt. I'm not surprised he was on the brink of an England call up, truth told it should've already happened.

I really hope he stays in the game in some capacity. has plenty to give. Whatever he will be remembered as one of the Blades greats.

 

[Ginger Gnome]

It's a shame it had to end, but it always seemed likely to be coming after we released him. Would love it if the whole League 1 promotion team could be brought back together for a testimonial at some point, even if he can only play a few minutes (or just come on to head in a corner.

My mum could never remember his name, always just called him Number 5, it won't be the same with someone else wearing that shirt.

 

[HodgysBrokenThumb]

...but sadly whatever he achieves he will always wonder what he might have achieved if fit.
If you try everything and you don’t achieve because you are not good enough then you can be satisfied that you have done your best, but he will always know that he was good enough to achieve so much more and that, however successful his future may be, is a heavy burden to shoulder.

That post says a lot. At the age of 76 I have had to pack in a number of sports, all at a very low level, and none a source of my livelihood. Each time, it was difficult to let go. I can’t imagine how difficult it is to give up the sport that is your livelihood as well, also knowing that it is years before it should have been. I hope JOC finds a good alternative, and that he takes satisfaction in what he did achieve. He made a great contribution to one of the best periods of United’s post-war history.

 

[Old Programme seller]

We’ve been robbed twice of an integral defensive player that‘s cost us dear, Jack and Morgs.

 

[skyjam]

Jack I sincerely hope you enjoy and embrace the next part of your life mate
You will always be remembered with fondness and admiration for your commitment and dedication to Sheffield United
We loved you pal
Thanks Jack
Good luck in the future

 

[Kozzy_is_my_Dad]

Doesn't really matter now does it. 4 years without him and we are back in the Premier league. Wish him the best absolutely, but we didn't get promoted or relegated because of him.

Some seem so obsessed over one player who doesn't in the wide scheme of things save or promote a side.

An owner with dosh is all we need.

Ndiaye is way more important right now.

That's not really in keeping with the sentiments of the posts people are trying to make here though is it, on a thread about the player and wishing the player well.

 

[Edgar Allan Poo]

Doesn't really matter now does it. 4 years without him and we are back in the Premier league. Wish him the best absolutely, but we didn't get promoted or relegated because of him.

Some seem so obsessed over one player who doesn't in the wide scheme of things save or promote a side.

An owner with dosh is all we need.

Ndiaye is way more important right now.

A fitting tribute. Brought a tear to my eye.

 

[JJ Sefton]

As much potential as any United player I’ve ever seen. Rotten news.

 

[Keen Blade]

If cruel luck hadn’t intervened , we would’ve stayed up in 20/21 and he would have been the first regular England player in our side since Currie.
One of the best signings in my lifelong support since the late 60s.
A hero of the Lane.

 

[diode_blade]

First home match in PL, belt his song out

 

[unitedbhoy]

Really sad, we always had those glimmers of hope when an interview would say he’s making good progress.

One of the very best defenders I’ve ever seen in any shirt he was that good.

Took to the Prem like a duck to water and not for injury would have been a starter for England.

 

[Valley Blade]

Don't think it's quite that simple.

It's like many things, some players are only good when used to their max.
Take Basham, average league 1 standard as a midfielder and average league 1 standard as a centre back, his strength was versatility and attitude.
However play him as an overlapping centre back and he was brilliant, great stamina too to get up and down the field.

I believe O'Connell was 4th choice centre back at Brentford and was't exactly rated as centre back.
Let's not forget he was average in our early matches too.

It was only when he was asked to push forward and play as overlapping centre/ left back where he was brilliant.
This is because he's played many years as a left back and was an excellent crosser of the ball.

It's such a shame he got the injury when he did.
We were never the same team because without 2 overlapping centre backs (Basham and O'Connell) our threat overloading wide areas disappeared.

My view is that very few centre backs in the world can play "overlapping centre" to a high level.
You need a player who is as strong as a full back as they are as centre back and also they must have great stamina and intelligence to know when and where to go.
It was a great slice of luck that we happened to have 2 centre half on our books who had all the attributes to play that specialist "overlapping centre back" role.

It really is that simple. By highlighting all the things O'Connell could do, that most players in that position cant do, you are bearing testament to how good he actually was. It's not about luck or being used to your max, its about ability. Jack O'Connell in my view had no glaring weaknesses. That's rare. I think you are doing him a tremendous disservice by suggesting circumstance dictated his legacy. Make no mistake, Jack was certainly one of the best players this club has had in the last 50 years. Up there with the elite in the land.

 

[lakedistblade]

He has prepared for this with education and exploring ideas while in rehabilitation. Sure he has a bright future and some fantastic memories. Appalling bad luck for the lad and I’ll never forget that brilliant stable premier league back 5 of which he was probably the the key component. Thanks and good luck Jack.

 

[S64 Blade]

Not much to add from what’s already been said. That display against Brentford of his was one of the best ever, it was like his life depended on us winning that game.

Very sad for him that he’s been denied a lengthier and I’m sure, a more illustrious career.

 

[Yewsman]

Doesn't really matter now does it. 4 years without him and we are back in the Premier league. Wish him the best absolutely, but we didn't get promoted or relegated because of him.

Some seem so obsessed over one player who doesn't in the wide scheme of things save or promote a side.

An owner with dosh is all we need.

Ndiaye is way more important right now.

"Didn't get promoted or relegated because of him". I have said before that had JOC remained fit I do not think we would have been relegated in PL season two. The replacements, JLT and Kean Bryan were real weak links in the team and were exposed numerous times although to be fair to JLT he did grow into the role in the latter stages of the season. Not only did we lose JOC in the defence but he was also an important part of our attack as the overlapping CH which was never replaced