latest JOB (bad) news A guy posted this translation of the ajax.nl site on www.ajax-usa.com yesterday. Koeman updates JOB's situation: it's a good news/bad news kind of thing, tho I'd say the bad is worse than the good is good. "That O'Brien still cannot train with the team" says the coach sadly, "that is becoming a quite a story. John was the pillar of the team, and it shows, because now that he's injured, I don't have anyone to play at the left back position. We'll see who plays in that position on Sunday..."
Said translation would have come from this, dated 1/31: http://www.ajax.nl/show/id=1322/contentid=27061 In other words, he's out indefinitely--still. He isn't training with the rest of the team, probably remaining in light fitness training.
I guess it is always good news, when the manager misses your presence in the lineup when you are injuried.
lets face facts - its a strange slow injury to come back from i just hope he makes it back while were still in the CL - if AJAX can make the knockout, they will need him - JOB is probably the 4th or 5th most important player - hopefully they can continue to get good results without him - VDV swears he will be back for the classic so....maybe ill get my wish
Is there any mention of what exactly his injury is? I've seen hamstring and achilies. I also remember him with some ankle trouble. Can anyone pinpoint the problem?
That Achilles has been bothering him since the 2000 Olympics. Not good, a bum achilles can end a career.
Do we know if it's the same Achilles? Or is it on another leg? Ruptured achilles tend to end players' careers. This is not one of those IIRC. However, players should still not be rushed back from injury.
This is becoming kind of like a Brian Maissoneuve situation. He's a productive player when he gets a good run of games; but it never lasts for long and he spends more time injured than healthy.
Another silver lining: considering how little JOB has played this year, if he does get healthy by the spring, he may make himself available to Bruce for the Confed Cup this summer (where otherwise if he'd been healthy all year he may have been looking forward to a good summer's rest). That would certainly strengthen the squad and be fun to see.
I ruptured my Achilles 10 months ago playing soccer. Let me say that I do not recommend it. Clearly JOB didn't rupture it, as he's be out nearly a year. I'm not sure what else you can do, strain it? partial tear? either way, it sucks. Terrible place to be hurt. Such a great player.
Sept. 28, the RBC, I think. Also his birthday, maybe? I checked the match report and he was subbed out at 71'. I don't remember him getting back since then, but I didn't scour the match summaries.
Could also be severe tendonitis ... Achilles problems can also be severely aggravated by (or disguised by) tendonitis, and is often caused by repetitive injuries to the ankle or surrounding area. The old "my heel and achilles feel like they're on fire." Hard to walk, and kicking a football is agony! Hope not, as it becomes chronic real easily! Go JOB!
My wife was diagnosed with a partially torn achilles back in early August. She was in a boot for 4 months and another 2 months of almost no activity. She was just cleared to resume exercise and can play starting in April. Almost 8 months to get back to being able to play, not fit to play. It almost would have been better if she tore it, almost. Tearing it doesn't necessarily mean an end to your career. There are plenty of American football players who have come back to be productive.