I don't agree with him lacking quality or strength. He's small but tenacious, great work ethic and has always done well when played. He's raw round the edges but he's still young. I'd be sorry to see him go and think he is better than Martin.
I agree that O'Connor has looked lively when he's played but I've never seen anything from him which made me think he has quality, works hard yes but I can't imagine him creating too many chances for our strikers as a left winger and he is not good enough defensively to be considered at left back.