Nottingham Forest player “could have been a game-changer” at Blackburn Rovers: The verdict | OneFootball

This article is part of Football League World’s ‘The Verdict‘ series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Lewis O’Brien’s proposed January move from Nottingham Forest to Blackburn Rovers was eventually blocked by the EFL.

Subsequently, Rovers appealed the decision made by the Football League but in what was another blow, the EFL ruled out the Championship club’s efforts.

The midfielder had already agreed a deal, passed a medical and completed his first interview, however, the registration did not eventually go through, leaving the young midfielder in a very difficult situation.

According to Alan Nixon, via his Patreon account, the fact that the agent of O’Brien’s name was spelt wrong was one reason why the deal fell through, whilst the EFL wanted a plan is place for if Blackburn were to suffer relegation.

Three of our writers have shared their thoughts on the midfielder and decide whether or not they would have expected O’Brien to be a regular starter at Ewood Park, had these complications not have emerged…

Think you’re a hardcore Blackburn Rovers fan? Try score 20/20 on this quiz all about the club

1 of 20

When did Blackburn move into Ewood Park?

1881 1890 1885 1892

Billy Mulley

O’Brien was fantastic in the second tier last time out and is rather unfortunate at The City Ground that he is not closer to featuring for the Midlands club.

Possessing a sweet left foot, an excellent passing range and a really clever operator when on the ball, he would have been an excellent addition for Jon Dahl Tomasson’s side.

Out of possession, he is just as effective as he presses with intelligence and intensity, something that played a big part in him thriving under Carlos Corberan last season.

Rovers possess a talented midfielder but adding a slightly more experienced figure in O’Brien would have been a big help.

I think he would have gone on to secure regular minutes in the starting XI had the move gone through.

Marcus Ally

Without a shadow of doubt.

O’Brien was arguably the best box-to-box midfielder in the Championship last season, and has looked good in patches in the Premier League this term.

Tyler Morton and John Buckley have both had good seasons for Rovers and have big futures ahead of them, however they cannot influence matches as heavily and consistently as O’Brien.

O’Brien is easily good enough to be a squad player in the Premier League, and it is only due to Forest’s very unique squad make-up that he has missed out, and was looking for an outgoing move in the first place.

The 24-year-old walks into Jon Dahl Tomasson’s starting line-up, and would have increased the levels of control they have in matches for the rest of the season.

James Reeves

O’Brien would have been an excellent signing for Blackburn.

You have to feel that a player of his quality would have been a guaranteed starter in a Rovers side whose form has been faltering in recent weeks and which has looked in need of new additions.

It would have been hard for Jon Dahl Tomasson to leave O’Brien out and his experiences of helping Huddersfield to the play-off final last season would have been invaluable to Rovers.

Tomasson has seemed unsure on his midfield options this season, with both John Buckley and Lewis Travis experiencing spells out of favour, so O’Brien would likely have partnered Liverpool loanee Tyler Morton in the middle of the park.

He could have been a game-changer for Rovers’ promotion prospects and this is one deal they will be incredibly disappointed they were unable to complete.