Paul McShane

[irishfan86]

The performance of the back 4 against Bulgaria confirmed Trap's decision to exclude him and look elsewhere.

Not trying to be picky, but Trap had no choice to drop him because of injury. Whether or not he would have done so without that injury is just speculation (one would hope so after the Italy "performance").

[geysir]

I think that would be picky without trying.
McShane did pick up an ankle injury, but even before that happened the IT journalist following the team in training had noted

"The doubts about McShane’s availability are set to copper-fasten Giovanni Trapattoni’s decision, flagged more than once in training over the past few days, to shake up his defence by starting Sean St Ledger at centre half, while switching John O’Shea to right back to better cope with the potency of Bulgaria’s attacking threat down their left flank."

[tetsujin1979]

Having a medical at Hull, according to football365: http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8652_5512908,00.html

[Drumcondra 69er]

Having a medical at Hull, according to football365: http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8652_5512908,00.html

Good luck to him, played his best football there last season by a mile.

[eirebhoy]

Good news.

[dr_peepee]

It is Defo.... I still don't know how anybody plays him at right full though... Hopefully he gets a run in the centre

[Umberside]

Hopefully he will be picked and get more confidence. We don't have that sort of a player in defence at the moment.

[elroy]

The guy is shot of confidence so hopefully this will give him a lift, in fairness he played well there.

And when he left Hull went into freefall :D

[EastTerracer]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/8234646.stm

According the BBC website he has been called up to the squad as cover for St Ledger. I assumed he was still injured but apparently not......

[tricky_colour]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/internationals/8234646.stm

According the BBC website he has been called up to the squad as cover for St Ledger. I assumed he was still injured but apparently not......

Hull have also signed him, which should be good for him as he was doing well there when he was there on loan, it seems their style of football suits him.
Hull are odds on for relegation but I fancy they will stay up again.
It does seem a bit odd gievn that if he has recovered he cannot have played any competive football recently.

[Crosby87]

So both McShane and Miller are with the team and neither has played recently?
Not trying to beat a dead horse but why not call up Andy Reid over McShane? Sigh. Paul McShane at this point in time?

[tricky_colour]

Andy Reid has never played as a defender, he certainly would be poor cover for a central defender.

[irishfan86]

McShane is probably being called up with a view to getting some game time in the South Africa friendly.

Imagine if Trap starts him against Cyprus....stuff of nightmares.

[Deckydee]

http://www.fai.ie/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=100749&catid=1&Itemid=8

On behalf of the Football Association of Ireland, fans and the Irish football family, we were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Sean McShane, father of Republic of Ireland senior international, Paul McShane. Our thoughts and prayers are with Paul and his family at this difficult time.

Go ndeanaidh Dia Trocaire ar a anam dhilis.

May he rest in peace.




Thoughts go out to Paul and his family

[yapster]

R.I.P. my condolences to Paul McShanes family

[Charlie Darwin]

Explains why he missed the Hull match on Saturday. Decent result in that match and Phil Brown might still be in a job.

[Serb]

For a second there I thought Paul McShane had died and got a bit of a shock! Still, condolences to the family.

[seanfhear]

May he Rest In Peace

Best wishes to the McShane family in their troubled times.

[irishultra]

omg :(

his dad was apparently good banter...was a taxi man..

[gspain]

Iain Dowie was full of praise for Paul McShane today. Great to see him doing so well. It would be great for us if Hull stayed up with PmcS, KK and Caleb pllaying regularly in the top flight.

[gspain]

BTW obviously good for Hunty too if Hull stay up but he is more likely to get a move anyway if they go down.

[Yard of Pace]

A former team-mate of McShane's told me before that he was nothing special as a young player until one summer his father brought him out everyday doing seriously tough physical training and it transformed him into a top player.

[TrapAPony]

A former team-mate of McShane's told me before that he was nothing special as a young player until one summer his father brought him out everyday doing seriously tough physical training and it transformed him into a top player.

This is the bit I don't agree with.

[Yard of Pace]

This is the bit I don't agree with.

Does he play regularly in the English Premiership? Does he have caps for Ireland?

[elroy]

Def agree Hull staying up would be much better for us than say West Ham, who appear to be in free fall at this stage.

McShane is very prone to a clanger in every game but I think he deserves time, when he broke onto the Irish team we were all hailing him as the next McGrath. Remember its not too many years ago when we would have said similar things about Dunne that we now say about McShane. Im not saying he will end up as good as Dunne but that he will improve.

[Stuttgart88]

I'd like to think McShane will become reliable for us but I'm just not sure. JOS going off injured in Paris was a fatal blow for us. For all the talk of fans wanting Stephen Ireland or Andy Reid to be in the team, I'm becoming very much of the mind that Stephen Carr is a player we could do with more than anyone in the next campaign. Arguably the full back of the season in England.

Given
Carr--Dunne--JOS-- KK / AN Other

That's quite an experienced and effective unit, bar left back.

[gspain]

Def agree Hull staying up would be much better for us than say West Ham, who appear to be in free fall at this stage.

McShane is very prone to a clanger in every game but I think he deserves time, when he broke onto the Irish team we were all hailing him as the next McGrath. Remember its not too many years ago when we would have said similar things about Dunne that we now say about McShane. Im not saying he will end up as good as Dunne but that he will improve.

I think centre half is a position that takes time to mature. I still think he will become a decent centre half and is already improving. He needs a run of game wsin his best position. I had high hopes for Darren O'Dea too and think he may still come through.

[DeLorean]

O'Dea usually impresses me when I see him play. I must just be missing some of the bad stuff though as they started two 19 year olds at CB in the recent Old Firm match ahead of him. This seemed very strange and hopefully it was just a bad call on Mowbray's part.

It was great to hear Dowie speak about McShane in such glowing terms. Praise like that can only help him and it's good to see himself and Folan impress Dowie early on.

[Paddy Garcia]

McShane strikes again today.

I really want to support every Irish player - but the thought of him pulling on a green shirt just fills me with dread.

[The Legend]

McShane is hands down the worst defender in the league in the category of "regular calamity that costs a goal".... its a real shame as he as a lot of heart. Unless he figures that out soon, i dont think you'll see him in the premier league again.

[elroy]

What now for the Hull lads? Hunty will surely get a move to someone like Wolves which would be no bad thing. Considering Hull's financial situation they will be keen to get rid of who they can. Cant really see anyone coming in for either Killer or McShane. Perhaps a year or two at the lower level may help McShane improve his overall game.

[Charlie Darwin]

Hull will probably lose most of their big players. I'm guessing McShane is one of the higher earners, so he'll go, and Hunt will be gone quicker than you can say "administration." Killer will probably go to Ipswich.

[ofjames]

mcshane is nowhere near premiership quality.

he reminds me of gary doherty at that level, completely inadequate and error-prone.

must be a thing with irish ginger centrehalves.

[the doc]

McShane is hands down the worst defender in the league in the category of "regular calamity that costs a goal".... its a real shame as he as a lot of heart. Unless he figures that out soon, i dont think you'll see him in the premier league again.

I'm starting to change my mind about Macca, he's done quite well for Hull this season.

[osarusan]

Paul McShane has a great future behind him.

[elroy]

I'm starting to change my mind about Macca, he's done quite well for Hull this season.

Seriously?

[Serb]

A few interesting stats about Hull and Paul McShane. They have the second worst defence (in terms of goals conceded) in the Premiership so far and are effectively relegated. Paul McShane has started 26 games, and they've conceded 55 goals in those games (an average of 2.12 per game). In the 10 games he didn't start (one of which he was subbed on in the 57th minute), they conceded 18 goals (an average of 1.80 per game).

They've won 15% of games and lost 58% of games when he was playing. They've won 20% of games and lost 50% when he wasn't.

On the other hand, he played the full games when they drew 1-1 with Man City away, held Spurs to a 0-0 away, beat Fulham 2-0 at home and held Chelsea to a 1-1 at home. Also, other players have a worse ratio than him (they've conceded 2.2 goals per game when Sonko has featured for example).

I don't think it really proves anything as to McShane's ability / lack of ability, I'm just interested in the stats :D

[Stuttgart88]

I think if JOS had stayed fit in Paris we’d be going to the WC. His absence and McShane’s introduction gave France something to attack. Cheating aside, McShane’s positioning for Gallas’ goal was poor.

Kelly, Foley and Coleman look like better right backs and JOS and SSL are better CBs. McShane may be a long way from the first team in a few months’ time.

[yapster]

I think if JOS had stayed fit in Paris we’d be going to the WC. His absence and McShane’s introduction gave France something to attack. Cheating aside, McShane’s positioning for Gallas’ goal was poor.

Kelly, Foley and Coleman look like better right backs and JOS and SSL are better CBs. McShane may be a long way from the first team in a few months’ time.


Yes believe it or not I agree with you. O'Shea is less worse than McShane. McShanes defending against Henry was diabolical and he should have never let that ball bounce the area.

[Charlie Darwin]

He's a young lad who's still learning his trade. Dunne was useless when he was 24 too.

[elroy]

I think if JOS had stayed fit in Paris we’d be going to the WC. His absence and McShane’s introduction gave France something to attack. Cheating aside, McShane’s positioning for Gallas’ goal was poor.

Kelly, Foley and Coleman look like better right backs and JOS and SSL are better CBs. McShane may be a long way from the first team in a few months’ time.

Agreed, if JOSH had stayed on the park, I think we would have not conceded and gone to pens. Centrally we are strong with Dunne, JOSH and SSL all solid options, JOSH can fill in RB or LB when required so all we really need is a solid LB (preferably) and/or RB as well. Coleman looks a prospect and foley and kelly both have improved this season. I think there is certainly more argument for the latter two to be in the squad in preference to McShane.

[geysir]

It isn't a matter of, if Josh stayed on, things had a good chance of being different.
O'Shea got injured so he had to come off, the question is/ was there anybody better than McShane available to come on in Paris?

Many more options now, I hope they present Trap with the open and shut case.

[Den Perry]

24 does not make him "a young lad". Dunne was never useless. He had the odd howler but was way better, and way more regarded than Mcshane at that age

[geysir]

Sure Dunne was regarded but when he was 24 he was suspended by Man City and his career was in serious jeopardy. Dunne was regarded enough to be given another chance by a manager with a very positive outlook.

[Stuttgart88]

I don't think O'Shea is "less worse". I think O'Shea is actully very good.

[OwlsFan]

I think if JOS had stayed fit in Paris we’d be going to the WC. His absence and McShane’s introduction gave France something to attack. Cheating aside, McShane’s positioning for Gallas’ goal was poor.


Perhaps. Perhaps not. I remember O'Shea going AWOL for the home game against Italy. WHo knows. Don't forget it would also have gone to penos so 50/50 there.

[Wolfie]

He's a young lad who's still learning his trade. Dunne was useless when he was 24 too.

I think the main difference between Dunne and McShane is that Dunne had some natural ability to rely on. At a younger age, his "mentality", as Trapp would say, to the game was not as focussed or motivated as it should have been.

McShane cannot be faulted for effort - he unfortunately lacks the little bit of natural ability that Dunne was lucky enough to be blessed with.

In fact, somtimes the harder McShane tries, its more likely some calamity will strike him at any moment.

[Stuttgart88]

yeah OF, I know about the pennos, but I have a feeling that we'd have gone into the pennos stronger. Fate was on our side!

PS: that was a close shave for SWFC last night. Goal line clearance in injury time saved you.

[Charlie Darwin]

I think the main difference between Dunne and McShane is that Dunne had some natural ability to rely on. At a younger age, his "mentality", as Trapp would say, to the game was not as focussed or motivated as it should have been.

McShane cannot be faulted for effort - he unfortunately lacks the little bit of natural ability that Dunne was lucky enough to be blessed with.

In fact, somtimes the harder McShane tries, its more likely some calamity will strike him at any moment.
This is nonsense - Alex Ferguson seemed to think McShane had a bit of natural ability, and he tends to be a fairly good judge. Most United trainees don't make it at the top level, but they're all drafted because they have the raw materials. McShane is slow and his decision-making is questionable, but the same has been true of Richard for his entire career. McShane was on great form last year until Sbragia recalled him on loan to spite Phil Brown - there's no reason he can't become a really useful player in the future with a couple of years of uninterrupted game time. He might have to go back to the Championship for that, but there's a reason successive Premier League managers have invested in his talents.

[Stuttgart88]

Paul O'Shea here used to always write that Dunne had a mistake in him in every game which he really only eradicated in the last year or two (FA Cup semi-final excepted) but I think that at the same age Dunne was a better player. I really hope McShane improves and maybe a good manager will help him do so. Right now though he puts the fear of God into me when I see him in green. Give me eleven McShanes over one Stephen Ireland any day though. I like his attitude a lot.