O'Brien hoping jinx has ended

11:08am Tuesday 19th August 2008

Comments (4)   Have your say »

SIDELINED skipper Roy O'Brien is hopeful that the Magpies' injury jinx has ended and believes the team has vastly improved this summer.

The defender was stretchered off during the 0-0 draw with Basingstoke a week ago and was originally thought to be out for a month at most with an ankle injury.

However, O'Brien received worse news on Friday and a crack in his ankle will keep him out for up to three months.

O'Brien said: "I'm disappointed with the injury and it will be longer than anticipated. It's a bit of a blow but that's the way things are in football at the moment so I'm not going to get downhearted, I'll just try and support the lads and get fit as that's all I can I do. Hopefully I'll be back sooner rather than later."

O'Brien joins knee injury victims Mark Jermyn and Ivan Forbes on the casualty list. And Dorchester had furthercause for concern on Saturday, in the 1-1 draw with St Albans, when Nathan Peprah-Annan left the field after dislocating his shoulder.

But O'Brien is confident his fellow defender will be okay. He added: "It's getting to the stage where you're thinking who's next?' Hopefully though that's the end of it. Nathan appears to be okay and that's a bonus for us."

The Magpies have kept two clean sheets from their opening three fixtures, conceding just one goal in the process.

O'Brien said: "We look solid as a team and we've continued what we've been doing over pre-season. Our first three games could have ended with nine points.

"On Saturday, the lads worked hard and penetrated well in the second half. I think we deserved more than we got.

"We're creating chances and it's up to someone to step up to the mark and put the ball in the net.

"But in the three games so far we've been solid and we only conceded our first goal of the season on Saturday, so that's pleasing. If you don't concede you won't lose.

"The lads showed character to get back in the game straight away and I felt we did enough to win.

"We're not going to get downhearted as there's plenty of positives to work on and that's the beauty of the training pitch."

After enduring a torrid campaign last season, where Dorchester finished 21st, O'Brien believes the club has a bright future ahead.

He added: "We have come on this season. Everyone's had a long hard think over the summer and everyone's come back with the bit between their teeth.

"By playing with and seeing the lads train I think we're turning the corner and that things will be okay.

"It's nice to hear the fans are enjoying themselves more.

"We need to all stick together as a team and as a club, fans included.

"If we can get the fans behind us, as they have been so far, it would be fantastic and hopefully we can produce more wins for them."