After Leeds 2–1 win against Burnley on 19 November, manager Simon Grayson revealed post match, that O'Brien had come to him the day before the game and refused to play for Leeds ever again. Grayson subsequently stated that O'Brien's career at Leeds was now over due to his refusal to play, however, it later emerged O'Brien's refusal to play was down to the fact he was at time suffering from depression and was "not in the right state of mind" when he stated he would no longer play for Leeds. After manager Simon Grayson was sacked, O'Brien played his first game for Leeds as a substitute against Coventry City.