Lewis O'Brien warned about Birmingham City players that are "a class above everything" amid transfer talk | OneFootball

FLW's Birmingham fan pundit has given his verdict on the club's interest in Lewis O'Brien

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Birmingham City are set to join the race to sign Lewis O’Brien from Nottingham Forest this summer.

It was reported by Alan Nixon that the Blues are interested in the 26-year-old as they look to bolster their squad for their Championship return.

O’Brien has struggled for game time at the City Ground, and spent last season on loan at LAFC and Swansea City.

However, he now has interest from the Swans, Hull City, Preston North End and Southampton, as well as Birmingham, ahead of the new Championship campaign.

Lewis O’Brien Birmingham transfer claim

When asked if this is a deal the club need to make, and if O’Brien would be a regular in the team, FLW’s Birmingham fan pundit Jason Moore claimed the midfielder could come and prove himself to win his place in the squad.

Both Paik Seung-ho and Tomoki Iwata were consistent presences in the starting lineup last year, but believes O’Brien will only have himself to blame if he doesn’t get game time, should he join Chris Davies’ side.

“It’s not ideal for any player coming to join, especially like Paik and Iwata thing where they played pretty much every game last season,” Moore told Football League World.

“But you’ve just got to come and prove yourself.

“I think the fact you can see the club is going somewhere, that’s going to be a good signing point for players, whether they’re going to be playing every game or not.

“And at the end of the day, it’s a team game.

“I think if you come in and the manager gives you reassurances that you are going to play, you are going to be a part of it, then I think that’s more than fine.

“If you come in and you don’t prove yourself and Paik and Iwata are still excellent and that’s why you don’t get games then that’s just on you.

“If O’Brien wants to come, I guess he’s just got to look at it and come and prove himself.”

Birmingham depth concern raised

Moore believes Davies will need strong depth this season, compared to in League One, and that O’Brien could be a smart solution to increase competition in midfield.

“He’s definitely a good player, and he’s definitely someone I’d take, and he’d definitely help us,” he continued.

“To be fair, I think Chris Davies isn’t silly.

“League One was always going to be easier than the Championship.

“Paik and Iwata are a class above everything, and he could play them every single game, he trusted them.

“I think he will be aware that he’s going to need more rotation to go for the goals that we’ve got this season.

“So, I think if O’Brien comes, he might not start to begin with, but he’s still a good enough player.

“He can force his way in, if he does he’s going to have more than enough games to play.

“You got to look at it, we’re probably going to play like 50 to potentially 60 games again, so I wouldn’t worry about it if I was O’Brien, come and join the project.”

Lewis O’Brien signing could be depth Birmingham need

Paik and Iwata were both crucial to their strong showing in League One last year, but there is no denying the Championship is a step up in quality.

If Birmingham want to compete at the top end straight away, then they will need quality depth in key areas of the pitch, like in midfield.

O’Brien is experienced at this level, and knows what it takes to compete for promotion, having been a part of Huddersfield Town’s play-off final run in 2022.

Whether Birmingham can convince him to join is another matter, but the exciting project being built at St. Andrew’s might be enough to entice him over their Championship rivals.