Forfar’s Thomas O’Brien surprised to win Player of the Month
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Thomas O’Brien deservedly claimed Ladbrokes League 2 Player of the Month for September, but only after the Forfar ace thought it was a wind-up from his team-mates!
The Loons midfielder was rewarded for playing a big part in his side continuing their strong start to the season.
Forfar currently lead Ladbrokes League Two by six points with a game in hand – helped in a huge way by winning their first seven games of the season.
That meant they had a 100 per cent record through August and September, leading to Gary Bollan scooping back-to-back Manager of the Month awards.
Despite putting in some strong combative midfield displays and chipping in with a big goal in the 1-0 win away at rivals Clyde, O’Brien admitted his surprise at winning the gong.
Monthly awards have typically gone to goalscorers in the past and that’s why he believed it was a wind-up from his team-mates after finding out the news.
Speaking exclusively to Ladbrokes News, O’Brien said: “I was a little bit sceptical after getting the phone call – I thought it may have been one of the boys winding me up.
“I’m surprised. It’s good to win, but I didn’t expect it at all.
“Usually it’s boys who score goals for fun who get the awards. I’ve been playing just in front of the back four this season.
“But I put it down to the team. We’ve been doing well and picking up results we need. Getting the award is down to the team.”
O’Brien recognises the big impact Bollan has had on the team – evidenced with his back-to-back awards to kick the season off.
But he admits it’s all about hard work and joked that the Forfar boss could double as an athletics coach with all the running he gives his squad.
O’Brien added: “The gaffer is great, he’s good to work with. He could be an athletics coach as well, but he’s about hard work.
“We put it in for training as much as we do in games. There’s no hiding with him.
“This season everyone is contributing. Last one was just one of those seasons – we’ve got it out of our system, brought some new boys in and it’s great winning games again.”
Forfar are gearing up for a trip to rivals Arbroath this weekend, and we’ve priced O’Brien and his team-mates at 5/4 to snatch an away win, while The Red Lichties are 13/8 and the draw is 14/5.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
