Paul McShane

[tetsujin1979]

McShane wasn't even any good in the games he got praise for, am I the only one that thought he was rubbish against the Czechs?
well he got man of the match in that game, so while you're not the only one who thought he was rubbish, there was plenty who thought the was the best player on the pitch.

[eirebhoy]

I think once he starts dropping the divisions that's him completely finished. He's 23 now so I think going somewhere to learn to read the game is not an option. He reminds me of Titus Bramble in the sense that if it can go wrong it will go wrong for him. He'll only improve by playing at the highest level available to him. Defenders generally get better with age and like Bramble, if he's mentally strong enough the mistakes will become fewer and fewer in the coming yrs, if not then he'll be dropping the divisions anyway but won't be coming back up.
Good comparison. I think anyone that rates Bramble as a terrible defender needs to see a bit more of him. He'll make a big, big mistake every few games but he more than makes up for it with his dominant motm performances. At the end of the day McShane has conceded 8 goals in his 10 starts for us at centre half (Czech x2, San Marino, Wales x2, Slovakia x2, Cyprus, Serbia, Colombia). Not bad.

As for his performance against the Czechs. I may sound biased towards him now but I certainly held no bias back then and I rated it as one of the best debuts I've seen for Ireland.


At least Bramble showed flashes of brilliance when at Ipswich. McShane wasn't even any good in the games he got praise for, am I the only one that thought he was rubbish against the Czechs?
It's McShane's "flashes of brilliance" that have me hanging on so much hope for him. At his best he's incredibly dominant. He's gone through games against some really good strikers beating them to virtually every ball.

[Dr. Ogba]

He's slow, awkward, short and can't read the game. Why do we think he has potential? Wouldn't it be better to pin our hopes on one of the more exciting prospects in the championship that have yet to prove that they are utter rubbish?

At least Bramble showed flashes of brilliance when at Ipswich. McShane wasn't even any good in the games he got praise for, am I the only one that thought he was rubbish against the Czechs?

wasn't he player of the season when on loan with Brighton in the championship a couple of years back?

[superfrank]

wasn't he player of the season when on loan with Brighton in the championship a couple of years back?
He might have been Brighton's player of the year in 2005/06 (when he was on loan there) but that was the year they were relegated.

[tetsujin1979]

Pretty sure Roy Keane was Forest's Player of the Year the year they got relegated

[superfrank]

Touché.

[Paddy Garcia]

Pretty sure Roy Keane was Forest's Player of the Year the year they got relegated

He also became the most expensive player in English soccer.

[DeLorean]

am I the only one that thought he was rubbish against the Czechs?

He was at fault for the goal when he got too close to Koller but had an outstanding match that night against a very difficult player.

[elroy]

Considering that McShane is thought to have done quite well at his loan spell with Hull, why havent come in with a bid for him. They are obviously in the market for a RB, having bid for finnan.

[Den Perry]

He's slow, awkward, short and can't read the game. Why do we think he has potential? Wouldn't it be better to pin our hopes on one of the more exciting prospects in the championship that have yet to prove that they are utter rubbish?

At least Bramble showed flashes of brilliance when at Ipswich. McShane wasn't even any good in the games he got praise for, am I the only one that thought he was rubbish against the Czechs?


I agree with you to a certain pint - I don't think he was rubbish against the Czechs but his performance was totally overblown and he cost us the goal.

He has no potential - in fact I cannot believe he is playing at the level he is

[Colbert Report]

So he gets recalled from loan and doesn't even get on the bench for his second game back? You need to pull a Craig Bellamy son and get the hell back down to Hull! I can't believe he's a Premiership regular myself but I've seen him play a few times for Hull and he hasn't looked bad in their system.

[Stuttgart88]

I've lost confidence in McShane but in no way do I blame him for Koller's goal. Good forwards beat defenders sometimes - it happens. If you were to blame McShane you'd pretty much fault defenders for almost any goal scored. Wayne Henderson was badly at fault, not to mention JO'S.

[Closed Account 2]

I blame Teflon John for the Koller goal at home in the last campaign. In fact he was also at fault for the Slovak's equaliser in Bratislava later on. O'Shea has been shocking for us in central defence over the last 3-4 years. He had a total stinker in Nicosia for the worst performance we've had in living memory, I remember being in the crowd and we were just telling him to hit the simple balls. Granted most of the team had shockers that night, but with Dunne sent off and Stan in the stands I would have hoped a player of his experience might have made some attempt to boss the game.

I'd pick McShane ahead of O'Shea at center back, and I'd probably pick S'ledge ahead of both.

[Stuttgart88]

I think O'Shea has done well under Trap at CB. I think he & Dunne have been a positive feature of Trap's reaign so far.

[DeLorean]

I blame Teflon John for the Koller goal at home in the last campaign. In fact he was also at fault for the Slovak's equaliser in Bratislava later on.

Thought McShane got too close to Koller for that goal if I remember right, allowing him to turn into a shooting position. Spot on about about the equaliser in Bratislava, O'Shea just turned his arse to it like a proper pansy. A Preston player did the same thing for Reira's goal for the Pool recently I noticed, I presume that wasn't St Ledger??

[geysir]

Being blamed for the concession of a goal against Ireland is a serious charge. There are long memories for such events.
Of all the situations you can throw against McShane's judgement, Koller's goal is not one of them.
Some memories are best left completely repressed, eg Stan's whole time in charge.

McShane has done well at Hull, he will find another club eventually.

[eirebhoy]

If you're playing football and your striker gets himself one on one with the defender. If the striker doesn't beat the defender it goes down as a failure. Not the other way around imo.

[co. down green]

Spragia backs McShane to beat boo-boys

http://www.safc.com/news/?page_id=16728

[eirebhoy]

I didn't realise he even played last night. Disgraceful scum fans booing him (those that did. Not the entire Sunderland fanbase ;)).

[Den Perry]

I blame Teflon John for the Koller goal at home in the last campaign. In fact he was also at fault for the Slovak's equaliser in Bratislava later on. O'Shea has been shocking for us in central defence over the last 3-4 years. He had a total stinker in Nicosia for the worst performance we've had in living memory, I remember being in the crowd and we were just telling him to hit the simple balls. Granted most of the team had shockers that night, but with Dunne sent off and Stan in the stands I would have hoped a player of his experience might have made some attempt to boss the game.



I'd pick McShane ahead of O'Shea at center back, and I'd probably pick S'ledge ahead of both.

If you'd pick Mcshane ahead of O'Shea in any position then you know nothing about football

[DeLorean]

If you're playing football and your striker gets himself one on one with the defender. If the striker doesn't beat the defender it goes down as a failure. Not the other way around imo.

Don't think I would totally agree with this. There's a winner and a loser in this situation and therefore the loser fails.

[Den Perry]

but in the words of Nick Berry "every loser wins..."

[irishfan86]

Don't think I would totally agree with this. There's a winner and a loser in this situation and therefore the loser fails.

That's like blaming a keeper for not saving a penalty, because he's the "loser" in that situation.

McShane pushed Koller outside after O'Shea left McShane exposed at the back.

The blame goes like this for me:

Carelessness by O'Shea: 50% at fault
Poor positioning by Henderson: 40% at fault
McShane beat one on one: 10%

[Noelys Guitar]

McShane has a hamstring injury. Will be out for at least two weeks.

[tricky_colour]

So he gets recalled from loan and doesn't even get on the bench for his second game back? You need to pull a Craig Bellamy son and get the hell back down to Hull! I can't believe he's a Premiership regular myself but I've seen him play a few times for Hull and he hasn't looked bad in their system.


Yes it is a great McShame he is no longer playing first team Premiership football.

[DeLorean]

That's like blaming a keeper for not saving a penalty, because he's the "loser" in that situation.

McShane pushed Koller outside after O'Shea left McShane exposed at the back.

The blame goes like this for me:

Carelessness by O'Shea: 50% at fault
Poor positioning by Henderson: 40% at fault
McShane beat one on one: 10%

That's a very percise allocation of blame!! I wouldn't quite consider a keeper not saving a penalty the same thing as a defender shepperding a forward onto his stronger foot and having a clear strike at goal (unless the penalty was a very tame attempt altogether of course!!) The fact that O'Shea was at fault is completely true but McShane could have dealt with it far better too. Probably too much analysis going into this really, it was over 2 yrs ago!!

[tetsujin1979]

McShane not going to play in the Amsterdam tournament, staying in England for treatment: http://www.safc.com/news/mcshane-sits-out-european-trip.html?

[Colbert Report]

He's out for three months according to this article: http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_5441893,00.html

Not the worst thing in the world, if you catch my drift.

[tetsujin1979]

He's out for three months according to this article: http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_5441893,00.html

Not the worst thing in the world, if you catch my drift.
confirmed by Sunderland: http://www.safc.com/news/mcshane-set-for-knee-operation.html
Having seen what he did with Titus Bramble, I would have liked to see what Bruce did with McShane.

[rambler14]

Oh no what are we going to do now?:D

[noddy102]

Perfect news.
Either St. Ledger @ centre half or Foley @ right back then.

[irishfan86]

Perfect news.
Either St. Ledger @ centre half or Foley @ right back then.

I hear there's a promising fullback at Espanyol who might be breaking through there.

Finbar, Fintan....something like that?

Anyway, I'd put my money on that guy slotting back into the back four once he's fit.

[SunderlandBohs]

I feel for sorry for the lad. Even though he can't do any damage from the treatment room and that can only be good news. But he was all set to move if you believe the rumours. A move to a Championship could have helped his career. That's his level. Everything has come to a grinding halt now for the lad.

[irishfan86]

Getting injured genuinely sucks, so I wish him a full and speedy recovery.

I'd never champion him to be a starter with our current options, but he is a useful backup and I could never fault his attitude or commitment.

[drummerboy]

Feel sorry for the lad. Has had a miserable couple of years after looking so promising. When fit I wouldn't be surprised he ends up at Celtic, having worked very well for Tony Mobray before at WBA.

[gwhite]

It may sound cold and ruthless but it's a good thing he won't play in any more qualifiers. He does more harm than good when on the pitch and that's just a fact...

[Wangball]

Feel sorry for the lad. Has had a miserable couple of years after looking so promising. When fit I wouldn't be surprised he ends up at Celtic, having worked very well for Tony Mobray before at WBA.

I reckon McShane would do very well at Celtic, he'd no doubt improve as a player up there too

[tetsujin1979]

It may sound cold and ruthless but it's a good thing he won't play in any more qualifiers. He does more harm than good when on the pitch and that's just a fact...
Fact is we've only ever lost one competitive game when he started - away to Czech Republic

[Serb]

Fact is we've only ever lost one competitive game when he started - away to Czech Republic

That only tells part of the story. We didn't lose to Bulgaria at home or away, but Kilbane still cost us 4 points from those 2 games. Similarly, the McShane / Keogh screw up -vs- Italy away cost us a goal.

[Lionel Ritchie]

That only tells part of the story. We didn't lose to Bulgaria at home or away, but Kilbane still cost us 4 points from those 2 games. Similarly, the McShane / Keogh screw up -vs- Italy away cost us a goal. I don't accept that. Whatever his degree of culpability in Sofia there is no way it could be reasonably said he cost us two points in Dublin. He absolutely had to try and play that ball. That it went in off him was unfortunate but it couldn't be let run when he'd no idea who was bearing down on it on his flank.

Bulgaria had been knocking at the door for over an hour by then. No way he should be made carry the can for that.

[amaccann]

Fact is we've only ever lost one competitive game when he started - away to Czech Republic
And arguably we dropped 2 points against Italy because of a mistake of his.

[eirebhoy]

And arguably we dropped 2 points against Italy because of a mistake of his.
Does failing to stop a cross coming in count as a mistake? No way was letting Grosso free run down the line his mistake. He was marking his own man at that time.

[irishfan86]

If anyone is to blame for that goal, it's Keogh.

This is not to say McShane played well against Italy - he was woeful in possession and the Italians literally let him do whatever he wanted with the ball, as they knew every cross or pass he made would be poor.

[eirebhoy]

His passing wasn't poor. Just his crossing but that's one of the many reasons he shouldn't be playing full back.

[tetsujin1979]

And arguably we dropped 2 points against Italy because of a mistake of his.
I'd blame Keogh far more than McShane for the goal. McShane stayed with his man, Keogh didn't track the player on the overlap who eventually crossed in for the goal.

[Junior]

I don't accept that. Whatever his degree of culpability in Sofia there is no way it could be reasonably said he cost us two points in Dublin. He absolutely had to try and play that ball. That it went in off him was unfortunate but it couldn't be let run when he'd no idea who was bearing down on it on his flank.

Bulgaria had been knocking at the door for over an hour by then. No way he should be made carry the can for that.

correctamundo!!!!

[elroy]

Not that the game mattered all that much, but he gave away a last min penalty away to wales in the last campaign that cost us the win there. He pretty much left the attacker advance in the box before he decided to put in a challenge, was awful defending

[youngirish]

Not that the game mattered all that much, but he gave away a last min penalty away to wales in the last campaign that cost us the win there. He pretty much left the attacker advance in the box before he decided to put in a challenge, was awful defending

He's a shocking player and we are far poorer with him in the team than without him. Anyone who says otherwise is simply playing devil's advocate. That's not to say I'm happy he's injured. I don't think he'd feature anyway in the upcoming qualifiers with Finnan expected to be fit, the emergence of St Ledger and Foley now playing in the Premiership so even if he's recovered by then the damage he can do will hopefully be minimal.

He gives his all and I respect him for that it's just the talent is severely lacking.

Kilbane too is a severe liability in the left back spot and hopefully he too can also be phased out of the team sooner rather than later. O'Shea is an option at left back I'd prefer Trap to try when Finnan is fit or if Foley starts the season well.

I see Kilbane, Whelan and Andrews as the priorities to find replacements for next season in that order. If we get 3 decent Premiership players in their positions then we should really start to look like a decent team.

[eirebhoy]

Not that the game mattered all that much, but he gave away a last min penalty away to wales in the last campaign that cost us the win there. He pretty much left the attacker advance in the box before he decided to put in a challenge, was awful defending
Just to point out that that foul on Cotteril was outside the box. McShane was the first Irish player to react that that ball and his lack of pace let him down. The rest of the defence followed a second or 2 later. He's always at the centre of everything it seems but has done well overall at centre half for us.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3i9f8_22-wales-vs-ireland-euro-2008-q_sport

[geysir]

Overall McShane had lost his place after the Italy game and dropped down the pecking order. The performance of the back 4 against Bulgaria confirmed Trap's decision to exclude him and look elsewhere.
There is no way I can see McShane's injury but as a setback to him personally and as a decent option for a place in the squad.