O'Shea against the Faroes...

[carnstien]

Created more chances than any other player on the pitch, from centre back. He basically made two goals if you include Morissons disallowed goal in the first half. We all know that O'Shea is a poor defender but last night showed why he should be in the team and why he IS a central midfielder, not a defender.

On the ball he is one of the best players we have and his passing and vision is excellent. He is a definate option in central midfield and I don't know why people keep overlooking it.

[NeilMcD]

I agree he is an option in midfield and I would go for him ahead of Holland in midfield, if Keane is suspended over the remaining 3 games which I think is a given. Keane got a sloppy booking last night. Cant see him playing all 3 games as he is bound to pick up a booking. I think O shea is a better midfielder than defender.

[tetsujin1979]

He is a definate option in central midfield and I don't know why people keep overlooking it.

Probably because he's rarely played there at club level. I know he played a few league cup games there in 2003/2004, did he ever play there in 2004/2005?

[tiktok]

Probably because he's rarely played there at club level. I know he played a few league cup games there in 2003/2004, did he ever play there in 2004/2005?

Yeah he made a few appearances there this year too, a couple of them in the champions league.

[Dawn_Run]

I agree he is an option in midfield and I would go for him ahead of Holland in midfield, if Keane is suspended over the remaining 3 games which I think is a given. Keane got a sloppy booking last night. Cant see him playing all 3 games as he is bound to pick up a booking. I think O shea is a better midfielder than defender.

Yeah but bear in mind the opposition. He has had an easier run out since playing junior league football for Waterford Bohs.

[Stuttgart88]

At times he carried the ball forward very elegantly alright. Does he read a game well enough and does he have the awareness?

The guy has got to move to a weaker club where he can play regularly and hold down a place - in whatever position - where he can specialise.

I think in due course S. Reid and Josh could be in the middle for us but there's a lot of things that must happen first.

[eirebhoy]

I agree he is an option in midfield and I would go for him ahead of Holland in midfield, if Keane is suspended over the remaining 3 games which I think is a given. Keane got a sloppy booking last night. Cant see him playing all 3 games as he is bound to pick up a booking. I think O shea is a better midfielder than defender.
A partner for Keane - maybe, but a Kilbane-O'Shea partnership is frightening. :eek:

[Kingdom]

I haven't a clue where all this is coming from. John O'Shea has not once (last night included) put in a competent 90 min performance. His passing is not as incredible as everyone is saying. I can understand a person taking a shine to a particular player but this John O'Shea ideal partner for Keano business is bull!
Even playing centre half last night he was pulling out of tackles left right and centre. I would have thought a centre midfield player would need a certain amount of aggression. Just because he plays for ManUre doesn't mean he has to play.

[carnstien]

Probably because he's rarely played there at club level. I know he played a few league cup games there in 2003/2004, did he ever play there in 2004/2005?
Kilbane doesn't play there at club level either.

[NeilMcD]

When I have seen him from midfield for Man Utd he has looked pretty good. I think his long term future will in midfield for club and country. I think O Shea Kilbane is no more frightening long term than Holland Kilbane. However I would go for Kavanagh in Roy Keane is missing against Cyprus.

[Don Vito]

I agree he is an option in midfield and I would go for him ahead of Holland in midfield, if Keane is suspended over the remaining 3 games which I think is a given. Keane got a sloppy booking last night. Cant see him playing all 3 games as he is bound to pick up a booking. I think O shea is a better midfielder than defender.

Call me cynical but something tells me Roy will pick up another booking against the French and miss the trip to Cyprus, just a prediction though, not questioning his commitment.

[FarBeag]

John O Shea is not International material simple as that ,no matter what position on the field you attempt to play him.He is a big girls blouse and has never played a decent 90 minutes for either Manu or Ireland. Finnan will play at right back against the French and its a toss up between the two donkeys O' Shea and Harte(sorry Ian but you are s*ite) for the left side.Jesus Carr was brutal yesterday.Did you see the back pass to Given late on and also he is piling on the pounds.

[brine3]

john o'shea was excellent up untill the tragedy involving his best friend from waterford.

he's human, give the guy a break

the talent is there, the commitment is there, he'll make it - mark my words

[carnstien]

He is a big girls blouse and has never played a decent 90 minutes for either Manu or Ireland
I'm sorry but thats total bullsh!t, I have seen O'Shea play outstandingly well in a number of positions for both Man U and Ireland. I remember watching his debut against Chelsea where he played centre back and marked Hasslebaink out of it for the whole game. He also won man of the match. It was obvious then as it is not that he is very talented and in possesion of the ball I think he is one of the best players we have. He needs to toughen up a bit but I think that in time and once his poor run ends he will be a great player for us.

[Colie]

We all know that O'Shea is a poor defender but last night showed why he should be in the team and why he IS a central midfielder, not a defender.

Agreed, Ferguson knows it too, but we had no one else to cover I guess.

[zinedineontour]

Created more chances than any other player on the pitch, from centre back. He basically made two goals if you include Morissons disallowed goal in the first half. We all know that O'Shea is a poor defender but last night showed why he should be in the team and why he IS a central midfielder, not a defender.

On the ball he is one of the best players we have and his passing and vision is excellent. He is a definate option in central midfield and I don't know why people keep overlooking it.

were we watching the same game ? lost the ball a few times trying to come out of defence ... looked ok but again we were playing the faroes.. when it mattered against israel he was terrible.. the boy is a defender and a very poor one who can only do better in midfield but is nowhere near at the level of the likes of keane, kilbane ,holland or kavanagh ..

[tetsujin1979]

Ferguson apparently included him in his plans for the future to Glazer as one to grow into a worls class player, he included Ronaldo and Rooney in it too. I'm not too sure what games he's been watching, the jury is definately still out on O'Shea but he needs to start producing. Fast.

[thejollyrodger]

Josh looked great at underage.. he defintely has ability..

its just that he looks asleep on the pitch most of the time, his passes to the opposition a lot of the time, he is slow to read some moves and rarely gets the ball off the oppostion.

If he fixed all of the above then he would be a good player, but then what does the fella contribute to the game ? :confused: runs up the line ?

[Drumcondra Red]

I don't think John O'Shea is good enough to be starting at international level, he is, however, a valuable squad player, and to be honest, I think that some of the teams Kerr has been picking lately are on reputation and not nessecarily form...

[eirebhoy]

Ferguson apparently included him in his plans for the future to Glazer as one to grow into a worls class player, he included Ronaldo and Rooney in it too.
The Red Devils boss is also confident that defenders Wes Brown (25) and John O'Shea (24) will mature into world class players....

http://www.itv-football.co.uk/Teams/Manchester_United/story_154501.shtml

Good to hear.

[FarBeag]

How long will it take him to mature into a defender not to mind world class one? I for one am not willing to wait for the next ten years.