Jimmy Dunne D QPR b.1997

[pineapple stu]

Always the danger with underage players in fairness. Look at Conor Coventry - people calling for him to be in recent Ireland squads, but then he has his loan terminated early at Peterborough for failing to make an impact.

[tetsujin1979]

My impression of Masterson at that tournament was that he had better control of the ball than his central defence partner O'Shea, but O'Shea was the better footballer

[Bielsa´s irish]

dont read too much on that, cap the guy we need someone there , a la Wales, use the national team as a shopping window, same for other fellows

[Bielsa´s irish]

if you play one youngster each time, that wont bring down the team performance, the main problem if you play all of them at once. After wc 1994, Passarella took over, and kept out of the national team all of the best players and more prestigious ones, Canniggia , Redondo and many others, only kept Batistuta, Balbo, Chamot and young Simeone, and he built a team of youngsters that were coming through without any leadership, he was a leader, brought and created Zanetti, Verón, Kily Gonzalez, Ayala was playing at Ferro, and many more

[elatedscum]

Collins was born in 2001 and is 20. Omobamidele was born in 2002 and is 19. Masterson was born in 1998 and O'Shea in 1999. Context needed there.

sure but... Collins was captaining Stoke at 17 and was moved from 19s to the 21s to be part of that squad (centre backs were Masterson, O'Shea, Scales and Collins). Meanwhile Masterson's last 21s cap and last game he was eligible for the 21s was within 6 months of Omobamidele's Irish senior debut, so it's not exactly like he went from not being good enough for the 21s to good enough for the senior team in 6 months...


he made the bench 3 times between 2016-2019, thats not great. Philips as I said was taken on pre season training camps , Masterson wasnt, the mid season trip to Marbella when half the team are on international duty isnt exactly a big deal. Hes just not all that great which is fine. Hopefully the lad gets a good move for himself where he can play and build his confidence back up. Didn't Masterson make the pre-season in summer 2017? Wasn't he selected again in 2018 and the injury didn't heal in time?

FWIW he's a cultured composed footballer, comfortable playing under pressure, doesn't get overawed and continues to try do the right thing even when it doesn't workout. he reads the game well, typical intelligent centre-half. he's good in the air and a good tackler. negatives are, he's not the quickest or the quickest on the turn. for a centre half, he's not the strongest or the most physical of presences. he can't be a little tentative at times. he's also got a pretty lousy fitness record. significant injuries in more than half his adult seasons.

[Bielsa´s irish]

With all this proliferant arrival of new young defenders I can see young O`shea as an option for holding mid there

[John83]

With all this proliferant arrival of new young defenders I can see young O`shea as an option for holding mid there
https://i.imgur.com/iQ63FdN.jpeg

[JR89]

Meanwhile Masterson's last 21s cap and last game he was eligible for the 21s was within 6 months of Omobamidele's Irish senior debut, so it's not exactly like he went from not being good enough for the 21s to good enough for the senior team in 6 months...
.

Omobamidele was third choice for the U19s behind McGuiness and McEntee so Masterson wasn't keeping him out of the U21s.

Only for injuries at Norwich and Collins being injured himself then Omobamidele would probably still be waiting for his first cap.

[elatedscum]

Omobamidele was third choice for the U19s behind McGuiness and McEntee From July to November 2019.

Masterson continued with the 21s until the campaign ended in November 2020.

Omobamidele's rise:

May 2019 - with Sobawele at 17s
July 2019 - ahead of Sobawele, moved to 19s squad (as a u17)
November 2019 - with 19s (starts 1/3, McGuinness 2/3, McEntee 3/3)
<both his actual 19s tournaments are cancelled, not selected for 21s squads in september, october, november 2020>
March 2021 - ahead of McEntee at 21s, alongside McGuinness for new campaign
June 2021 - ahead of McGuinness to the senior squad, ahead of Masterson and Dunne to the seniors
September 2021 - makes international debut due to injuries to O'Shea and Collins
October 2021 - selected ahead of Collins for senior competitive game(s)

[tommy_c12000]

Jimmy really putting his hand up this season. Qpr 4th in table, and he just scored another goal. They’re 4-0 up on reading. Him and Lenihan seem to be having great season, with Dunne being 3 years younger than Lenihan I would favor him getting game time first in March, but both are very much in the reckoning this year…

[samhaydenjr]

Third of the season for Dunne this evening as QPR move up to third: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/60397885 - he seems to be really thriving this season and with Omobamidele out injured, surely he should be given some game time in March

[Stuttgart88]

ah great, didn't realise they got a late winner. They had a guy really harshly sent off. He was hacked down and retaliated but not (too!) violently. Their momentum slowed a bit in the last few games. This was a big win. Good leap by Dunne for the goal too. Speaking of momentum, WBA are in freefall.

[JR89]

Third of the season for Dunne this evening as QPR move up to third: https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/60397885 - he seems to be really thriving this season and with Omobamidele out injured, surely he should be given some game time in March

Could see Lenihan getting in ahead of him. Dunne plays centre of the back three and would have Duffy and Egan ahead of him. Think if new faces are to play it's gonna be either side of middle CB.

Would be great to see him in the squad though. June is gonna be a tough two weeks with four back to back games at the end of the season. Given our luck with injuries we'll need a bigger squad than usual.

[Demesne Lad]

Stretchered off after 23 minutes in QPR's pre-season friendly at Oxford Utd. Dunne's shoulder injury looks like keeping him out of QPR's opening Championship games. QPR conceded 5 goals following Dunne's departure.

https://www.westlondonsport.com/qpr/dunne-stretchered-off-qpr-oxford-update

[Demesne Lad]

Recovery from a dislocated shoulder (31 July) has been faster than initially forecast. Gareth Ainsworth says Dunne currently looks likely to re-join the QPR squad for the visit of Coventry on 30 September.

https://www.westlondonsport.com/qpr/dunne-gets-green-light-to-return-for-qpr

[Demesne Lad]

Could be in the squad squad for QPR's home match against Coventry but currently looks more likely to play for Rangers’ development side against Millwall on Tuesday.

QPR defender Dunne set for return to action - West London Sport (https://www.westlondonsport.com/qpr/qpr-defender-dunne-set-for-return-to-action)

[Demesne Lad]

Starts on the right of a back three for QPR, away to Huddersfield; Armstrong starts up front.

[Eirambler]

Only learned yesterday that Dunne has been playing right back for QPR for the last while and by all accounts has been excelling in the position. Most will have probably seen the absolute belter of an injury time winner he scored yesterday.

At centre back Dunne had no realistic prospect of breaking in with Ireland, but if he becomes a good right back longer term he could have every chance once the new manager hopefully sees sense and switches us back to a flat back four in the not too distant future. Coleman is almost finished, Doherty has never looked good enough in the position for Ireland, McNamara hasn't kick on, Ebosele will probably end up playing further forward for Ireland if he makes it and it's too early to know yet with Curtis. So there's an opening there.

[JR89]

Some goal alright.

1773847605090623617

[seanfhear]

Some goal alright.

1773847605090623617
Great goal alright ~ ~ Will he ever score a better one !

Pretty much a long-ball goal.

He doesn't look to have the physique of a natural full-back.

[liamoo11]

Only learned yesterday that Dunne has been playing right back for QPR for the last while and by all accounts has been excelling in the position. Most will have probably seen the absolute belter of an injury time winner he scored yesterday.

At centre back Dunne had no realistic prospect of breaking in with Ireland, but if he becomes a good right back longer term he could have every chance once the new manager hopefully sees sense and switches us back to a flat back four in the not too distant future. Coleman is almost finished, Doherty has never looked good enough in the position for Ireland, McNamara hasn't kick on, Ebosele will probably end up playing further forward for Ireland if he makes it and it's too early to know yet with Curtis. So there's an opening there.

I've watched a fair bit of qpr since hodge went on loan. Jimmy Dunne is not getting up and down the line or overloading into midfield I can assure you.an international full back he most certainly is not. Lovely goal though

[Eirambler]

That may be, but also worth noting that all four full backs in the man City v Arsenal game today are accomplished centre backs. It's definitely a trend at the moment, and one that suits the players we have. Knowing us we'll probably start playing that way in about five years time when the approach has been figured out and everyone has moved on to something else.

But for me there's definitely something in O'Shea at left back and Dunne or Collins at right back in a back four that's worth a look. Play them with fast wingers like Johnston, Ogbene or Ebosele in front of them and trust the more attacking players to create the chances instead of the full backs. I take the point about them not overloading midfield, but I think we need to just put three in there (e.g. Cullen, Smallbone and Knight or similar) and accept that breaking even in the middle is as good as it's going to get most days with the players we have available to us. Also, when you see people talking about using Collins as an extra midfielder, I think that's a far more likely possibility in terms of him doing it coming in from right back than stepping straight into a DM position in place of someone like Cullen.

[liamoo11]

That may be, but also worth noting that all four full backs in the man City v Arsenal game today are accomplished centre backs. It's definitely a trend at the moment, and one that suits the players we have. Knowing is we'll probably start playing that way in about five years time when the approach has been figured out and everyone has moved on to something else.

But for me there's definitely something in O'Shea at left back and Dunne or Collins at right back in a back four that's worth a look. Play them with fast wingers like Johnston, Ogbene or Ebosele in front of them and trust the more attacking players to create the chances instead of the full backs. I take the point about them not overloading midfield, but I think we need to just put three in there (e.g. Cullen, Smallbone and Knight or similar) and accept that breaking even in the middle is as good as it's going to get most days with the players we have available to us.

It is a fair point and most of the time when we play 5 at the back we are getting nothing going forward from our wingback, Coleman this past window provided nothing going forward . In that situation I would much prefer we went 4 at the back even if that was 4 centtehalves(not Jimmy Dunne though!). That would let us go with a holding 2 and Cullen and smallbone seem reasonable for that and a narrow 2 ahead of them in johnson and azaz and that allows you put a partner with ferguson luke obafemi which is where u think you get the most out of him. We overload the middle give up the width and play in the actual strike zones rather than having ogbene run aimlessly out towards the the sideline hoping for a foul

[Eirambler]

I see the logic in that. I'd probably lean towards keeping the width - when Kenny played 4-3-3 early on in his time in charge it often felt like the full backs and wingers were tripping over each other, but that would be unlikely to be an issue with centre backs in the full back positions. Use the pace of Ogbene and Johnston out wide to try and create chances. Like you say, if it's not working you could switch to a narrower almost 4-2-2-2 nearly without needing to make a substitution and test the opposition that way instead.

Basically I'm convinced we need to move away from the 3-4-3 stuff that became the hallmark of Kenny's time in charge and was retained by O'Shea last week. I understand why it was tried, but we should have moved on from it by now, it just doesn't suit the players we have.

[liamoo11]

That may be, but also worth noting that all four full backs in the man City v Arsenal game today are accomplished centre backs. It's definitely a trend at the moment, and one that suits the players we have. Knowing us we'll probably start playing that way in about five years time when the approach has been figured out and everyone has moved on to something else.

But for me there's definitely something in O'Shea at left back and Dunne or Collins at right back in a back four that's worth a look. Play them with fast wingers like Johnston, Ogbene or Ebosele in front of them and trust the more attacking players to create the chances instead of the full backs. I take the point about them not overloading midfield, but I think we need to just put three in there (e.g. Cullen, Smallbone and Knight or similar) and accept that breaking even in the middle is as good as it's going to get most days with the players we have available to us. Also, when you see people talking about using Collins as an extra midfielder, I think that's a far more likely possibility in terms of him doing it coming in from right back than stepping straight into a DM position in place of someone like Cullen.


I see the logic in that. I'd probably lean towards keeping the width - when Kenny played 4-3-3 early on in his time in charge it often felt like the full backs and wingers were tripping over each other, but that would be unlikely to be an issue with centre backs in the full back positions. Use the pace of Ogbene and Johnston out wide to try and create chances. Like you say, if it's not working you could switch to a narrower almost 4-2-2-2 nearly without needing to make a substitution and test the opposition that way instead.

Basically I'm convinced we need to move away from the 3-4-3 stuff that became the hallmark of Kenny's time in charge and was retained by O'Shea last week. I understand why it was tried, but we should have moved on from it by now, it just doesn't suit the players we have.

I know it seems poyet won't be our manager now but poyet on his off the ball interview a few months ago when asked what he felt ireland did wrong against Greece said it seemed to him that we were playing a system to fit in players who were considered our better players rather than picking the system that suited the game and then picking the most appropriate players for that system and game.

I really liked that from poyet cause to me that is what management is, adapting to each game and situation to give you the best chance of winning that game with the players availble to you. None of this philosophy nonsense " this is how i believe the game should be played because I'm some kind of chosen visionary[even though I have never played or coached at the top level] so I'll always play the same way "

My reading of what he was saying was we were playing 3 centrehalves because we had more perceived better quality centrehalves than we had perceived quality players in other positions even though playing that 5 at the back totally allowed greece to dominate both games through the middle in the top two thirds.

[Olé Olé]

I know it seems poyet won't be our manager now but poyet on his off the ball interview a few months ago when asked what he felt ireland did wrong against Greece said it seemed to him that we were playing a system to fit in players who were considered our better players rather than picking the system that suited the game and then picking the most appropriate players for that system and game.

I really liked that from poyet cause to me that is what management is, adapting to each game and situation to give you the best chance of winning that game with the players availble to you. None of this philosophy nonsense " this is how i believe the game should be played because I'm some kind of chosen visionary[even though I have never played or coached at the top level] so I'll always play the same way "

My reading of what he was saying was we were playing 3 centrehalves because we had more perceived better quality centrehalves than we had perceived quality players in other positions even though playing that 5 at the back totally allowed greece to dominate both games through the middle in the top two thirds.

Not to mention not having lads capable any more of playing wing back at that level. But probably having enough centre halves comfortable at full back too. I thought that became even more obvious against Switzerland and Belgium.

[Eirambler]

That was always Kenny's biggest failing for me. He only knows one playing philosophy, and while he changed the formation, he never changed the philosophy, and it was one that we just don't have the players for. You can sometimes get away with that at club level, if you're given time to sign the players that fit your style of play but at international level, unless the players you have just happen to suit the preferred style, you're on a hiding to nothing. So the harder Kenny worked to try to implement his philosophy, the worse things got, and I don't think to this day he even now understands why that happened.

[Eirambler]

Man City v Arsenal - four centre backs playing full back, 0-0 draw. Probably not what a lot of people would dream of for the future, but arguably what we need to start getting against the higher seeds to regain the ground lost over the last four years.

[Stuttgart88]

I was at QPR v Plymouth on Saturday.

Liamo, did you go?

It took me a while to figure out if Dunne was right CB in a back 3 or just plain RB (so overall you’d have to take my observations with a pinch of salt!) because I turned up assuming he was CB (I should have paid more attention to foot.ie) but after Plymouth had a guy sent off for a terrible tackle on Dunne (30 mins) he played very much orthodox RB.

He saw plenty of the ball and my first impressions were positive.

He doesn’t run very elegantly. You’d never think he’s a John Stones in the making or a potential CB-turned-DM like some are suggesting for Nathan Collins. He reminds me more of the 1980s factory worker who arrived late into pro football type. He even has the 80s hair highlights.

But that’s not being uncharitable. You can be a good golfer without having a beautiful swing. And Dunne is quite good, that’s my ultimate assessment.

He was very involved, more so when it was 11v10. He’s very happy to receive the ball and never shy about asking for it. Decent first touch. His use of the ball is simple but effective. Either a short pass inside and go again, or take his man on on the outside which he did a few times and had the pace to get past his opponent. Won everything in the air and was a nuisance in the Plymouth box.

Plymouth’s best players were their wide players and Dunne handled Dutch winger Cissoko pretty well. I’d say Cissoko probably had the better of Dunne while it was 11v11 though.

You can tell he’s one of the team’s leaders. He really exudes positive energy and added a bit of tempo and urgency to things when QPR were meeting stubborn resistance.

I’d say he looks much more of a CB but can handle himself at RB and if he was to play international football surely it’d be as a CB. But if HH wants physicality, a strong character and a threat from set pieces he could be worth a look. I’d say he’s a better squad option than Duffy.

[Stuttgart88]

QPR on a good run recently. The seem to have achieved relegation zone "escape velocity". Jimmy Dunne did a great Shane Duffy impression to net QPR's second vs. Watford on NYD.

[Eirambler]

Linked with a move to Sheffield United - so potential for him to get back into the Premier League next season if that comes off for him.

[Olé Olé]

Was saying recently how much he loves QPR. But at 27 and doing well, if he gets that opportunity then he has a decision to make.

[Stuttgart88]

He's loved at QPR too. And they're on an incredible run. From bottom 3 to chance of playoffs. I'd think very carefully about moving.

[Eirambler]

He should go if the move is on. Sheffield United will probably get promoted. QPR could as easily be bottom half by the end of the season and then the opportunity has gone. It's a short career, players need to grab opportunities when they come around. Irish players seem to be especially overly loyal to their clubs in this regard for whatever reason.

[liamoo11]

He's loved at QPR too. And they're on an incredible run. From bottom 3 to chance of playoffs. I'd think very carefully about moving.

Definitely move if he can. He has really come up the hard way woukd be great to get a proper pay day and chance in Premier league

[seanfhear]

Definitely move if he can. He has really come up the hard way woukd be great to get a proper pay day and chance in Premier leagueGotta make the dough in the mo !

[Stuttgart88]

ah yeah, if it's a material upgrade in pay, of course he should do it. Twice in my own career I "upgraded" for a bit more money and each move was a disaster. In all jobs, including football, I think there's a lot to be said for staying in a job you like, where you're settled and where you feel valued - unless of course the alternative is really compelling. Moving comes with risks but a hefty pay rise is a good mitigant! With Sheff U, you can easiy see a situation where he's back in the Championship before long so I don't really see it as a glamour move.

[liamoo11]

ah yeah, if it's a material upgrade in pay, of course he should do it. Twice in my own career I "upgraded" for a bit more money and each move was a disaster. In all jobs, including football, I think there's a lot to be said for staying in a job you like, where you're settled and where you feel valued - unless of course the alternative is really compelling. Moving comes with risks but a hefty pay rise is a good mitigant! With Sheff U, you can easiy see a situation where he's back in the Championship before long so I don't really see it as a glamour move.

I think for him he would need to show established premier league clubs he can cope at Premier league level before they woukd take a chance on him and tge Sheffield utd move might give him that exposure. Lenihan likely will never play at premier league level now even though 2 years ago it seemed he was on a premier league trajectory.

[Demesne Lad]

QPR have rejected Sheffield Utd's bid for Dunne, according to West London Sport today.

https://www.westlondonsport.com/qpr/qpr-reject-offer-from-sheffield-united-for-dunne

[Demesne Lad]

Dunne left out of the QPR squad on Saturday. Sheffield Star and West London Sport both think a deal will be done before the deadline on Monday.

[Demesne Lad]

This one might go to the wire! Sheffield Utd reported to be looking at alternatives to Dunne, as their latest offer (about £2m stg) has been rejected. On the other hand, Dunne's contract expires in the summer, so QPR could lose him then - for nothing.

[Stuttgart88]

Jimmy Dunne:

“I’ve been asked in the past [about representing NI], my granny is from Enniskillen, just over the Border, so it’s been an option,” said Dunne, who was first called into an Ireland squad in 2018 by Martin O’Neill. “But, to be honest, [being from] Dundalk, I don’t think you can consider it too much. I don’t want to go missing or anything!”

[Fixer82]

Jimmy Dunne:

“I’ve been asked in the past [about representing NI], my granny is from Enniskillen, just over the Border, so it’s been an option,” said Dunne, who was first called into an Ireland squad in 2018 by Martin O’Neill. “But, to be honest, [being from] Dundalk, I don’t think you can consider it too much. I don’t want to go missing or anything!”

Only one solution. An All-Ireland team

[seanfhear]

jimmy dunne:

“i’ve been asked in the past [about representing ni], my granny is from enniskillen, just over the border, so it’s been an option,” said dunne, who was first called into an ireland squad in 2018 by martin o’neill. “but, to be honest, [being from] dundalk, i don’t think you can consider it too much. I don’t want to go missing or anything!”~ lol ~

[seanfhear]

Only one solution. An All-Ireland team
I suppose we have that ~ It's just that not everyone wants to play for that team, for now anyway !

[Eirambler]

I suppose we have that ~ It's just that not everyone wants to play for that team, for now anyway !

Exactly - we already have an All Ireland team. Some players who are eligible for it play for other teams, but that is what it is

[EalingGreen]

Jimmy Dunne:

“I’ve been asked in the past [about representing NI], my granny is from Enniskillen, just over the Border, so it’s been an option,” said Dunne, who was first called into an Ireland squad in 2018 by Martin O’Neill. “But, to be honest, [being from] Dundalk, I don’t think you can consider it too much. I don’t want to go missing or anything!”No harm to Dunne, who I'm sure is a decent fella as well as a decent player, but things have moved on since the initial "NI talk" a few years back.

For Dunne simply wouldn't get into the present NI team as a RB. We have Conor Bradley as our first choice, plus Trai Hume (Sunderland) as back-up. In addition to that we have Paddy McNair, who has played RB for us many times and 20 y.o. Brodie Spencer (Huddersfield) a RB who has done well for us filling in at LB. Also Terry Devlin who has been playing there for Portsmouth and who at 21, may have more of a future ahead of him than 27 y.o. Dunne.

Now I don't believe Dunne ever had the slightest interest in representing NI, which is fair enough, and I think he possibly only disclosed Michael O'Neill's earlier interest in order to make a point to Martin O'Neill. But even if it had somehow been a possibility, that ship has sailed and is now far over the horizon.

(We're not too badly off for CB's either)

[Stuttgart88]

Irsih Times article says he's a real breath of fresh air in the changing room. I texted some mates after a TV interview I saw a while back saying he seems like a really engaging character.

[Razors left peg]

No harm to Dunne, who I'm sure is a decent fella as well as a decent player, but things have moved on since the initial "NI talk" a few years back.

For Dunne simply wouldn't get into the present NI team as a RB. We have Conor Bradley as our first choice, plus Trai Hume (Sunderland) as back-up. In addition to that we have Paddy McNair, who has played RB for us many times and 20 y.o. Brodie Spencer (Huddersfield) a RB who has done well for us filling in at LB. Also Terry Devlin who has been playing there for Portsmouth and who at 21, may have more of a future ahead of him than 27 y.o. Dunne.

Now I don't believe Dunne ever had the slightest interest in representing NI, which is fair enough, and I think he possibly only disclosed Michael O'Neill's earlier interest in order to make a point to Martin O'Neill. But even if it had somehow been a possibility, that ship has sailed and is now far over the horizon.

(We're not too badly off for CB's either)

Lets be honest, if the lad was playing for Real Madrid every week youd probably still stay that NI have better options and dont need him :)

[EalingGreen]

Lets be honest, if the lad was playing for Real Madrid every week youd probably still stay that NI have better options and dont need him :)No, I wouldn't. - that is your interpretation, not mine.

Facts are, Bradley is in a different league to Dunne (literally) and at 23, Hume is a nailed-on starter in his natural position at a significantly better team than QPR. Also has 19 international caps. While Devlin is playing RB for a similar standard team, but is 6 years younger; ditto Spencer, who is 20, with 18(?) caps. And of course, we've got McNair, Paddy McNair, so there's one thing you gotta understand, he is an Ulsterman, he's better than Zidane, he's Paddy McNair from Ballyclare...

But I'll give you this, when Dunne does sign for Real Madrid, then I'll revise my opinion and move him up to, let me see, third on the list? :wink: