Obviously Jonathan Woodgate had to come back into the team after being ineligible to face Barcelona and it was O’Brien who dropped out.
"I left Andy O'Brien out and we've won without him. He has never let us down," Sir Bobby told the Evening Chronicle.
"I said to Titus before the game: `Because you made that mistake I'm keeping you in the team, other managers would leave you out. Justify my faith.'
"O'Brien was shelved and he didn't deserve that. We won 5-1 and that was great for the club and great for the team."
Who to play alongside Woody must be a nice decision for Sir Bobby to have to make every week, particularly as both Titus Bramble and O’Brien have improved beyond all recognition since the beginning of the season.
It must though mean that the future looks bleak for Nikos Dabizas, who despite being exposed at the highest level this season has been an excellent servant to the club.