After seemingly establishing himself as Jonathan Woodgate’s defensive partner the Yorkshire-born Irishman is already thinking about a possible title challenge and believes that the game against the Premiership champions will be a good measure of exactly how far behind we are.
“It will be a true test of our credentials on Saturday,” O’Brien admitted. “They are a difficult proposition home or away, but now is as good a time as any to be playing them.
“We just have to stem the flow of goals because last season we conceded too many, although on their day they are very difficult to stop.
“They play at a very high tempo and they have very good players and, although we respect that to a certain extent, we’ve our own very good players too.”
He continued: “People are building things up that we’re going to win the league but, as I see it, it would be nice just to build on last season.
“Chelsea have obviously improved, I think Liverpool will have a better season and Manchester United and Arsenal showed on Saturday they are still a force.
“It’s important we pick up the points and then when it comes to the big games with Manchester United and Arsenal we can take the three points.”
Describing conceding 11 goals in two games against the Red Devils last season as “too many” may just be an understatement.