Paul McShane

[SunderlandBohs]

Not according to the ex-pro's watching the matches for the Premier league FF. Chosen in the top 3 players on the pitch in matches against Spurs, Birmingham, Bolton and Blackburn. All 4 games he played centre half. He's probably been decent more often than not in his games at centre half this season.

Against Spurs he had a great game, Birmingham he scored a stupid only goal & was at fault for O'Connor's goal. Bolton he did ok but did he's usually headless chicken routine. If he was so good against Blackburn why was he dropped afterwards? The lad has gone as far as he can go. As I said, he's a championship player at best.

[shaneker]

As I said, he's a championship player at best.

BBC Sunderland forum agrees with you...

'ive seen milk turn quicker than mcshane'
'Awful positioning, constantly giving fouls away and does not seem to be able to work in a team anymore. I would gladly see the back of him'
'Even a 1 legged blind man has more vision and ability than McShane.'
'He is certainly a new name for most of our worst elevens.'
'He's totally out of his depth'
'The most rash, self destructive defender I've ever seen!'
'Mcshane: dispose of forthwith please. no questions asked'

Seriously, I could go on and on. They are dying to see the back of him, I checked a couple of pages of forum for those quotes and I saw one quote defending him. Personally I think he has to go back to the Championship and relearn his trade, he's still young enough to be a decent defender if he works hard.

[Paddy Garcia]

We saw all this last year against the Czechs and others. Not a surprise, some on hear were too intent on hailing the arrival of the McSsiah .

[geysir]

Yes Paddy, we really should not give the highest praise to a debutant in a competitive international after turning in a stirring performance to win man of the match.
The most unique competitive debut for Ireland in over 32 years.
Instead of thinking that this lad is going to improve with the right club we should have said that he was cráp, easily brushed off by Koller and was never going to make it.
Now that he has had a nightmare season, safe to say that that international MOM debut should be wiped off the books :rolleyes:

[Carrigaline]

The lad is only 22 and still has a lot to learn for a defender. To write him off at this stage is simply pure ignorant. Look at Richard Dunne, he was a complete shambles for years, but then he grew up, pulled himself together and is now a top notch Premier League defender. Also look at Rio Ferdinand. He's gone from being the most expensive write-off of a player to the current best defender in the world.

[SkStu]

Yes Paddy, we really should not give the highest praise to a debutant in a competitive international after turning in a stirring performance to win man of the match.
The most unique competitive debut for Ireland in over 32 years.
Instead of thinking that this lad is going to improve with the right club we should have said that he was cráp, easily brushed off by Koller and was never going to make it.
Now that he has had a nightmare season, safe to say that that international MOM debut should be wiped off the books :rolleyes:

Alan Kernaghan won MOTM for his first three games with Ireland. Such plaudits mean f*ck all in the bigger picture. Posters on here were too quick to heap praise on the lad.

Ill be surprised if he plays in the Premiership again.

[FarBeag]

The lad is only 22 and still has a lot to learn for a defender. To write him off at this stage is simply pure ignorant. Look at Richard Dunne, he was a complete shambles for years, but then he grew up, pulled himself together and is now a top notch Premier League defender. Also look at Rio Ferdinand. He's gone from being the most expensive write-off of a player to the current best defender in the world.


He may be only 22 but you cannot compare him to Dunne or Ferdinand even at their worst. It’s all about ability which McShane does not have whichthe other two had abundances of at his age, even if full to the gills with beer. You can’t fault him for effort but he can’t cut it at the top leave. Andy O’ Brien St Ledger and McCarthy are much better players.

[dr_peepee]

He may be only 22 but you cannot compare him to Dunne or Ferdinand even at their worst. It’s all about ability which McShane does not have whichthe other two had abundances of at his age, even if full to the gills with beer. You can’t fault him for effort but he can’t cut it at the top leave. Andy O’ Brien St Ledger and McCarthy are much better players.

Jayzus, I'm willing to acknowledge peolpes misgivings and maybe the fact that some of us over rate McShane.... But that last line??? C'mon man. Each have had their share of critics, O'Brien more than most. And St Ledger and McCarthy are relatviely unknown quantities with little more profile than good Championship centre halves. At least McShane has played well on occasion in the top flight at some stage in his career, on top of being highly rated in the Championship. If anything St Ledger is at the stage in his career were McShane was at Brighton 3 years ago. A good defender in a poor Championship team.

On current form I'd pick O'Brien ahead of McShane, definately. But lets not be too quick to write him off. I don't think we've seen the last of McShane as a premiership player.

[geysir]

Alan Kernaghan won MOTM for his first three games with Ireland. Such plaudits mean f*ck all in the bigger picture. Posters on here were too quick to heap praise on the lad.

Ill be surprised if he plays in the Premiership again.

Alan Kernaghan deserved his plaudits until, for varied reasons, his standards dropped.

What has all that got to do with anything?
McShane did very well in a tough debut and deserved every praise that came his way.
Some people would rather be right about their dour McShane predictions than to have him playing good.
I hope he can get away from the Sunderland mob and get playing up to the standard he is capable of.
We have very few Centre Halves.
Of course, Trap can always try to convert Kilbane into one :)
Hopefully he won't have to

[Paddy Garcia]

The lad is only 22 and still has a lot to learn for a defender. To write him off at this stage is simply pure ignorant. Look at Richard Dunne, he was a complete shambles for years, but then he grew up, pulled himself together and is now a top notch Premier League defender. Also look at Rio Ferdinand. He's gone from being the most expensive write-off of a player to the current best defender in the world.

Dunne and Ferdinand had attitude issues when young, their talent was not really questioned. Not relevant to McShane who has had a near perfect attitude.

Frankly I think it is more harmful to build someone up than to adopt a measured approach. Posters on here were talking about a move to Barcelona - as Captain. Not a criticism of McShane, but the stupid hype on here.

And Geysir, I've no wish to deny him his decent performances for us - however "the most unique debut in 32 years is pushing it" - see para above.

I've not written him off yet - but the odds are not at all good. Sunderland was one of the few Premiership teams very easy to break into.

[SkStu]

Alan Kernaghan deserved his plaudits until, for varied reasons, his standards dropped.

What has all that got to do with anything?
McShane did very well in a tough debut and deserved every praise that came his way.
Some people would rather be right about their dour McShane predictions than to have him playing good.
I hope he can get away from the Sunderland mob and get playing up to the standard he is capable of.
We have very few Centre Halves.
Of course, Trap can always try to convert Kilbane into one :)
Hopefully he won't have to

nothing would please me more than McShane being a top class club and international player. My feelings are that he wont. 22 is quite old to have some of the bad habits that this guy has.

I would have thought the point about Alan Kernaghan was quite clear. Similar to McShane after Czech, he was praised for his first few performances and after that, like McShane, his club and international form went to sh1te. Winning MOTM in your debut means nothing. Doing it week in week out at the highest level is what counts and McShane has shown this season that this is something that he may not have the ability to do.

Hopefully he turns it round but i have my doubts.

[FarBeag]

Jayzus, I'm willing to acknowledge peolpes misgivings and maybe the fact that some of us over rate McShane.... But that last line??? C'mon man. Each have had their share of critics, O'Brien more than most. And St Ledger and McCarthy are relatviely unknown quantities with little more profile than good Championship centre halves. At least McShane has played well on occasion in the top flight at some stage in his career, on top of being highly rated in the Championship. If anything St Ledger is at the stage in his career were McShane was at Brighton 3 years ago. A good defender in a poor Championship team.

On current form I'd pick O'Brien ahead of McShane, definately. But lets not be too quick to write him off. I don't think we've seen the last of McShane as a premiership player.


I cant for the life of me see what some people see in this bloke. He played a couple of good games for Ireland and slightly more for Sunderland.If I was hyped up enough in a game representing my country for the first time I would play a blinder too, but I would be soon found out just like McShane. He wasnt even playing as a centre back for West Brom when Keane bought him which imo was another hasty signing by him. At least McCarthy and St Ledger play at centre half regulary and they can be judged on how good they are for this position something Keane did not do when he bought McShane. He saw him play at right back for west Brom and possibly his two first outing in the centre for Ireland. He now knows he made a mistake and McShane will be sold on to God knows where, maybe back to west Brom as a stand in right back nothing more.

I can’t go along with the 'he needs an organiser beside him like Richard Dunne' bit. No player at this standard should need someone to hold his hand everytime he plays a game. I still stand by what I wrote in my other post that the St Ledger and McCarthy are better players than McShane.

[livehead1]

The lad is only 22 and still has a lot to learn for a defender. To write him off at this stage is simply pure ignorant. Look at Richard Dunne, he was a complete shambles for years, but then he grew up, pulled himself together and is now a top notch Premier League defender. Also look at Rio Ferdinand. He's gone from being the most expensive write-off of a player to the current best defender in the world.

I agree, although I don't think its possible to compare McShane with Ferdinand. Ferdinand always had great guile and class; McShane has neither, and the best we can hope for appears to be a hatchet defender who gives 110%.

[The Legend]

wow what happened there?

[dr_peepee]

I cant for the life of me see what some people see in this bloke. He played a couple of good games for Ireland and slightly more for Sunderland..

Yes he did. As a 20 and 21 year old.. He's literally just gone 22.. Far too much scope there to write him off. He has his limits, sure. But I think he'll make one half of a decent partnership. I don't think he needs an organiser either. He played very well beside O'Shea didn't he??

I still think him and Nosworthy could do a job for Sunderland and at the moment he's behind O'Brien to partner Dunne, for me.

Hopefully St Ledger makes a move up during the Summer... Bruce has made a habit for going back for players he was into while at Brum, so hopefully he takes a punt on him at Wigan.

[Seagull-4-life]

Am I the only person in Ireland who didn't think he was exceptional on his debut? When Koller scored he squatted him away like a fly.

Chmapionship player at best

[tetsujin1979]

Am I the only person in Ireland who didn't think he was exceptional on his debut? When Koller scored he squatted him away like a fly.

Chmapionship player at best
Well, he nearly scored, kept Koller quiet for most of the game, and I blame John O'Shea for the goal.
And he won MOTM.

If he's a "championship player at best" why are people recommending St Ledger, McCarthy, etc who ARE championship players ahead of him?

[livehead1]

If he's a "championship player at best" why are people recommending St Ledger, McCarthy, etc who ARE championship players ahead of him?


Probably because McShane's made a bit of a clown out of himself this season and many feel others wouldn't be so out of their depth...

[eirebhoy]

I can’t go along with the 'he needs an organiser beside him like Richard Dunne' bit. No player at this standard should need someone to hold his hand everytime he plays a game.
The vast majority of young players do. Dunne did at that age. O'Brien needed to be led up until recently. O'Shea still does.

[Paddy Garcia]

Am I the only person in Ireland who didn't think he was exceptional on his debut? When Koller scored he squatted him away like a fly.


I agree he was to blame for the goal. We do though seem to swing from one extreme to the other with some of the young guys. I suspect that some of the criticism voiced now is a reaction to the stupid hype earlier. Not McShanes fault.

[Qwerty]

He has gone from being the Messiah to the worst center back ever to play for Ireland :confused:

I think what the boy needs is at least one season in the Championship. He may be our new Gary Breen always suspect in the Premier League ( remember his West Ham nightmare ) but always reliable for Ireland ( even if 5 million people simultaneously say a silent prayer when the ball goes in his direction ) .

McShane is still young, next season will tell a lot about him.

After pretty much every Ireland game that Mick McCarthy or Gary Breen played in I would smile and say 'We got away with it again!' I don't think I was alone in thinking that. :D

[cartman]

After pretty much every Ireland game that Mick McCarthy or Gary Breen played in I would smile and say 'We got away with it again!' I don't think I was alone in thinking that. :D[/QUOTE]

surely funny quote of the month!!! when did ireland ever get away with having gary breen at centre half for ireland???..at his best he was attrocious..easily the worst centre half ive ever seen play for ireland and to compare mcshane[who is fairly average,but at least put in 1 or 2 decent performances for ireland] to him is baffling

[SkStu]

After pretty much every Ireland game that Mick McCarthy or Gary Breen played in I would smile and say 'We got away with it again!' I don't think I was alone in thinking that. :D

surely funny quote of the month!!! when did ireland ever get away with having gary breen at centre half for ireland???..at his best he was attrocious..easily the worst centre half ive ever seen play for ireland and to compare mcshane[who is fairly average,but at least put in 1 or 2 decent performances for ireland] to him is baffling[/QUOTE]

its actually a pretty fair comparison. They both have at least one moment of total lapse of concentration in every game. McShane's lapses to date have been more frequent and costly than Breens ever were (maybe he was just luckier).

But it has to be said, Gary Breen was nowhere near the worst centre back to play for us - Butler, Babb, Gary Doherty to name but a few (though Babb was fortunate enough to play alongside the Black Pearl). Im sure there are more. Staunton was poison at CB for a while. Breen, a good servant and a decent player.

[Razors left peg]

surely funny quote of the month!!! when did ireland ever get away with having gary breen at centre half for ireland???..at his best he was attrocious..easily the worst centre half ive ever seen play for ireland and to compare mcshane[who is fairly average,but at least put in 1 or 2 decent performances for ireland] to him is baffling[/quote]

you obviously didnt see the 2002 World Cup where Breen was outstanding

[FarBeag]

Gary Breen was a much better player than McShane.

[Qwerty]

You're saying that now because McShane is at a low ebb at club level.

All I'm saying is that Breen usually played above himself at the international level, sure he was responsible for some goals, what center-back isn't but largely he got away with it.

Have some of you guys ever seen Ireland play while sober? I wonder somethimes.

[danonion]

Have some of you guys ever seen Ireland play while sober? I wonder somethimes.

Dead grannies and now turning up to matches drunk jeez.

[Paddy Garcia]

Gary Breen was a much better player than McShane.

Unbelievable that anyone can think other than this. It was always fashionable to bash Breen, but we should not let that prejudice get in the way of the facts.

[RiffRaff]

I reckon McShane could still turn into a good player for us. His confidence is at an all time low. Some papers recently have been linking him with a return to West Brom which could be a good move for him. He'd be back somewhere the fans and management appreciated him. The policy at Sunderland seems to be to go out and buy new players every time someone plays badly - hardly great for confidence building.

[Qwerty]

McShane blasts Keane
By Daniel McDonnell


Friday May 23 2008

PAUL McSHANE has revealed his anger and frustration at being excluded from the Sunderland first team by Roy Keane.

The Wicklow native has effectively been out of the picture at the Stadium of Light since January and there has been speculation that Keane could sell him this summer after some high-profile errors during his time in the side.

However, McShane feels that he deserves another chance, and is exasperated that his passionate training-ground efforts have not been rewarded by Keane who played him just once -- at right back in a 2-0 defeat to Newcastle -- in the final four months of the season.

"I have done everything, I have out-trained everybody, out performed everybody, so what can you do?" said McShane.

"I've been ripping people's heads off. It's just not nice being out of the team, it's hard to take.

Determined

"It's a hard thing to sit on the bench every week or even the stand every week when you are giving it your all. The only thing I was short of doing was ripping my heart out of my chest and giving it to him."

Despite that, McShane is determined to stick around and fight for his Sunderland future in the summer rather than seek a move away.

"I'm just taking it bit by bit and, next season, I will start fresh. I want to stay at the club and I think I can play there every week. I'm going to stay there and see what happens."

The 22-year-old is now looking to rebuild his reputation and drill a point home to Keane by impressing for Ireland -- if given the opportunity -- in tomorrow's friendly with Serbia at Croke Park and the clash with Colombia in London next Thursday.

"I think the games can have an effect on the Sunderland situation," he stresses. "Everything you do in football is judged, so I think these games are a good opportunity to play and just get a few games in."

[Paddy Garcia]

No doubt Keane was more concerned at the catalogue of errors made in competitive games than the benefits of ripping peoples heads off in training.

The real worry here is that he can't see it himself, this increases the risk that he won't make it.

[Razors left peg]

No doubt Keane was more concerned at the catalogue of errors made in competitive games than the benefits of ripping peoples heads off in training.

The real worry here is that he can't see it himself, this increases the risk that he won't make it.

Id look at it from the point of view that its that sort of determination that will help him to eventually prove himself.I really do believe when he gets better at reading the game with experience he will be a good player, Kenny Cunningham wasnt very quick but the older he got the better he got

[osarusan]

" The only thing I was short of doing was ripping my heart out of my chest and giving it to him."


Perhaps he should try this. I mean, what's the worst that could happen?

[the doc]

McShane blasts Keane
By Daniel McDonnell


Friday May 23 2008

PAUL McSHANE has revealed his anger and frustration at being excluded from the Sunderland first team by Roy Keane.

The Wicklow native has effectively been out of the picture at the Stadium of Light since January and there has been speculation that Keane could sell him this summer after some high-profile errors during his time in the side.

However, McShane feels that he deserves another chance, and is exasperated that his passionate training-ground efforts have not been rewarded by Keane who played him just once -- at right back in a 2-0 defeat to Newcastle -- in the final four months of the season.

"I have done everything, I have out-trained everybody, out performed everybody, so what can you do?" said McShane.

"I've been ripping people's heads off. It's just not nice being out of the team, it's hard to take.

Determined

"It's a hard thing to sit on the bench every week or even the stand every week when you are giving it your all. The only thing I was short of doing was ripping my heart out of my chest and giving it to him."

Despite that, McShane is determined to stick around and fight for his Sunderland future in the summer rather than seek a move away.

"I'm just taking it bit by bit and, next season, I will start fresh. I want to stay at the club and I think I can play there every week. I'm going to stay there and see what happens."

The 22-year-old is now looking to rebuild his reputation and drill a point home to Keane by impressing for Ireland -- if given the opportunity -- in tomorrow's friendly with Serbia at Croke Park and the clash with Colombia in London next Thursday.

"I think the games can have an effect on the Sunderland situation," he stresses. "Everything you do in football is judged, so I think these games are a good opportunity to play and just get a few games in."

McShane is a very limited player, and a little hot headed in training this coupled with his lack of ability can cause problems.
The botom line is he has been found out, he wasn't wanted at WBA who got lucky when Sunderland foolishly bid for him.

Now Sunderland are looking to off load him, the biggest surprise is that the likes of DG still push for him to be included for Ireland, then again, DG was instrumental in bringing Bruce into the fold too!

These players may get away with it against the lesser teams but will fall way short should they come up against any players or teams with pace and skill.

They both struggle in their respective leagues against these type of players now, so how can anyone responsible for the selection of the Ireland squad pick these players and then expect them to do any better at international level!

[Paddy Garcia]

McShane is a very limited player, and a little hot headed in training !


........ & in football games generally

[shakermaker1982]

Perhaps he should try this. I mean, what's the worst that could happen?

:D made me laugh!!!

[FarBeag]

Well he proved many of us right with this display.He is not an international player and will never be. Sean St Ledger needs to be drafted in for Thursday as i really dont want to sit and watch this guy play again for another 2 minutes not to mind 90.

[jmurphyc]

Well he proved many of us right with this display.He is not an international player and will never be. Sean St Ledger needs to be drafted in for Thursday as i really dont want to sit and watch this guy play again for another 2 minutes not to mind 90.

I think he's probably not ready yet, but he could be in a few years. Whilst his play for the goal was very stupid - and that's something I've noticed he does on a regular basis - as well as a good few other incidents, he made some decent contributions in other parts of the game. He's just a player lacking in confidence and could yet grow in to a decent centre back in a few years time.

[FarBeag]

I think he's probably not ready yet, but he could be in a few years. Whilst his play for the goal was very stupid - and that's something I've noticed he does on a regular basis - as well as a good few other incidents, he made some decent contributions in other parts of the game. He's just a player lacking in confidence and could yet grow in to a decent centre back in a few years time.


He may very well do so but he has to learn his trade from somewhere and to be honest I don’t know what team is going to give him that opportunity. He wont get it at Sunderland either. I just think he is too unpredictable even with a confidence boost.

[Seagull-4-life]

He may very well do so but he has to learn his trade from somewhere and to be honest I don’t know what team is going to give him that opportunity. He wont get it at Sunderland either. I just think he is too unpredictable even with a confidence boost.

It's not a confidence boost he needs it's a talent boost.

[Noelys Guitar]

The Bulgarian's and especially the Italian's will exploit a player like McShane ruthlessly. At the moment he is a train wreck and can't be in the team.

[Condex]

When McShanes is mentioned in a match report, its usually followed by the word 'mistake'
:eek:

[Seagull-4-life]

When McShanes is mentioned in a match report, its usually followed by the word 'mistake'
:eek:

:D:D He's a walking mistake

[portland]

McShane unfortunetly is not progressing the way people hoped - he is just a good championship player now and thats playing at right back.

Shouldnt be any were near the Irish X1 unless we have a spate load of injuries.

[eirebhoy]

Obviously McShane was at fault for the goal on Saturday but I think I'm right in saying that if Delaney had been on line with Dunne and Kelly then the goalscorer would have been caught offside. McShane obviously shouldn't have assumed that would be the case (since he himself wasn't on line) and he tried to be too clever. Like Dunne, he's going to be less error prone as he gets older and hopefully we'll get to see him fulfill his huge potential.

Good to see that Trap rates McShane. There's loads of players that have put in 1 or 2 incredible performances that I don't rate. McShane is different. Those few fantastic performances that he has put in, imo, is a sign of the player he will become. He has the intelligence unlike those that fail.

[the doc]

Obviously McShane was at fault for the goal on Saturday but I think I'm right in saying that if Delaney had been on line with Dunne and Kelly then the goalscorer would have been caught offside. McShane obviously shouldn't have assumed that would be the case (since he himself wasn't on line) and he tried to be too clever. Like Dunne, he's going to be less error prone as he gets older and hopefully we'll get to see him fulfill his huge potential.

Good to see that Trap rates McShane.:eek: There's loads of players that have put in 1 or 2 incredible performances that I don't rate. McShane is different. Those few fantastic performances that he has put in, imo, is a sign of the player he will become. He has the intelligence unlike those that fail.

I'd say that is a worry, even Stevie Wonder can see that McShane isn't good enough.

How long before Trapp see's it too? Or is he still listening to the likes of DG?

[jmurphyc]

I'd say that is a worry, even Stevie Wonder can see that McShane isn't good enough.

How long before Trapp see's it too? Or is he still listening to the likes of DG?

I'd say Trapattoni rates him for a reason. I trust that he is more knowledgeable on what it takes to be a good player than all of the people who frequent these forums. Besides, McShane won player of the year in two successive seasons at Brighton and West Brom. They might be in the Championship but that is still a commendable achievement.

[the doc]

I'd say Trapattoni rates him for a reason. I trust that he is more knowledgeable on what it takes to be a good player than all of the people who frequent these forums. Besides, McShane won player of the year in two successive seasons at Brighton and West Brom. They might be in the Championship but that is still a commendable achievement.

Lets see if he still rates him after a few more matches, I doubt it, and most football knowledgeable fans at WBA didn't rate him!

But if he's the type and standard of player you want playing for us, then don't come on here moaning when we fail to qualify.

[irishultra]

I think Trapattoni is more knowledgeable than those ''knowledgeable fans at WBA''

[jmurphyc]

But if he's the type and standard of player you want playing for us, then don't come on here moaning when we fail to qualify.

I don't "want" that standard of player playing for us. I don't think he's ready yet but we just don't have a lot of options at centre back. I wasn't one of the people who was jumping for joy after his game against the Czechs. I could see that he was quite a raw player, and he still is. But I can see the potential in him. I'm trying to look at the player in an objective manner instead of going from he's our saviour to he's the worst player to ever play for us and should never wear the shirt again.

As for Trapattoni "seeing" that he isn't up to it after a few games when you can see that he isn't up to it now, do you honestly believe that you can understand football better than Trapattoni? If you think that, then you're very delusional. If it was Staunton I could understand, but it's not.

I'm not the type of person who will start moaning should we fail, provided we are managed competently. To be honest, I think we'll run it close, but I don't expect us to qualify. I think there are too many factors that go against us. There is, of course, a chance though.