Luke O’Brien is like a loyal season-ticket holder – he never misses a home game.

Since breaking into the City side in October 2008, he has played in every first-team clash at Valley Parade.

His absence at Hereford ended a run of 49 consecutive starts stretching back to March last year.

But O’Brien was back for the draw with Notts County in midweek to maintain his remarkable unbroken run on City’s own manor. It was his 39th straight home outing – more than any of his current team-mates.

The 21-year-old can therefore appreciate City’s Valley Parade frustrations this season more than most - and the need to improve on the current upturn since Peter Taylor took over.

While the bulk of Taylor’s games have been on the road, City have picked up seven points from a possible nine on home soil.

O’Brien said: “I know it’s a bit too late at this stage of the season but it’s a confidence-boosting thing. It’s a positive for everyone.

“It goes without saying that you need to be strong at home and when results aren’t going right the fans might start getting on your back.

“You’ve got to accept that because there are 11,000 paying to watch us and they want us to be winning.

“But we’re looking forward to home games again. We won the first one for the new gaffer and then followed that up with a couple more good results to stay unbeaten.

“We knew Notts County would be tough with the run they are on but I thought we did a good job against them and it sets you up for the next one against Dagenham.”

O’Brien has adapted his game since the arrival of Robbie Threlfall from Liverpool pushed him forward into midfield.

With O’Brien’s natural attacking tendencies, he has taken up the challenge.

“I’m enjoying it because I’ve got more of a free role.

“As a left back there’s a bit of pressure sometimes when you lose the ball and they may be through on goal.

“When the gaffer brought Robbie in, he asked me if I’d play a different position. I was happy to do a job for him wherever and really enjoyed it when he put me to the left wing for the Rochdale game.

“Robbie and I get on well and I think we’ve got a good partnership going down that side.

“It was disappointing not to be on the pitch at the weekend. But I was glad to be back on Tuesday and I thought it was a good result for us.”

Playing in a more advanced role also increases O’Brien’s chances of breaking his scoring duck for the season and adding to the solitary solo strike against Rotherham 16 months ago.

He had a crack at Kasper Schmeichel in midweek, although the 20-yard drive with his weaker right foot drifted well off target.

“I think my kneecap ended up somewhere in the stand,” he laughed. “I just had a swing at it.

“But there are still nine games to go and if I’m picked and playing up there, I’d hope to see a goal before the end.”

Ironically, O'Brien could be pushed back into defensive duty after Threlfall missed training with an illness. Gavin Grant is also under the weather while Simon Ramsden is still out with his calf injury.