In fairness most did say he's been a good player for them, just off his game for a couple of months (and football fans have short memories)
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I'd call O'Shea at centre, Kilbane at left and Kelly at right...selection problems! Dunne is the only real first choice available out of all those positions. If all fit shouldn't it be Finnan, McShane, Dunne, O' Shea ?Originally Posted by tetsujin1979
He is right, O'Shea has been mediocre in that position and it is his worst position.
I think O'Shea has been very good for United this season. Very solid at the back, doesnt offer as much going forward as Evra does but then not many left backs are.
Judging by the papers yesterday, it appears that Trap has signalled that he going to start with Andrews.
Thats rubbish, O Shea has been excellent so far under Trap.
Its really not that complicated!!!
Foley simply has to play - he is a lot more accomplished full back than Kelly. Shows a complete lack of short-sightedness on the behalf of the management if he doesn't get the nod due to a lack of experience, when the last friendly game was crying our for his inclusion so that we're not faced with this inexperienced vs unfit full back dilemma. Confident that he'd do a good job.
O Shea was immense in Montenegro and would have been close to my man of the match for Ireland. I think centre back beside Dunne for Ireland is his position and I am glad that Trap sees it that way. There is one thing that Trap knows about and that is how to create a solid defence.
In Trap we trust
Yes, I'm not sure why people are saying it's his worst position cos he's done well there in this campaign for Ireland and never ever plays there for United. In fact even when Ferdinand, Brown and Evans were all injured Fergie chose Neville to play there and leave O'Shea at full back. Granted this may be because Fergie doesn't trust him at centre back but he has been impressive enough for us so if it's not broken...
I think the simple fact is that some people will always just say that O Shea is rubbish no matter how well he is playing now or in the future. He played well enough under Trap to be nominated as player of the year, and while that might have been a little OTT it is just a sign of how solid he has been
Its really not that complicated!!!
Some people will never give O'Shea any credit. He & Dunne have formed a solid partnership at CB and anyone with any sense can see that it's been one of the better features of this campaign so far. I almost see this as akin to the evolution vs creation debate - anyone refusing to accept that JO'S has been good at CB under Trap & thinks McShane is a better option probably is so stuck in his ways it's pointless discussing.
He's been poor in the past at times but never as poor as many have made out. He was almost universally derided here at LB and heavily criticised at RB (Israel at home & Slovakia away for example). He's been derided as a central midfielder so if CB isn't his best position I'd love to know where people think it is.
His best position is definitely full back. Solid in the air and comfortable on the ball. Quick enough as well to cover up any positional lapses. I'm less comfortable with him at CB but his partnership with Dunne is solid this year so I wouldn't split them up.
I'm also pleased to see that he is more aggressive in the tackle this season (taking out Drogba at OT was hilarious) and his solid displays at United will give him a heap of confidence.
I think he packs his bible neatly in the upper right corner of his suitcase.
Apparently the firsts played the seconds in training today, so based on the team that played today it will be:
As expected, but with Andrews in and Gibson out.Code:Given Kelly Dunne O'Shea Kilbane McGeady Whelan Andrews Duff Keane Doyle
Care to offer which side?
He may even himself prefer to play full back but I think it's hard to argue on the basis of Trap's last 4 games that he and Dunne is our best CB pairing. On basis of ability alone JOS trumps McShane and Bruce as a CB and on basis of experience trumps St. Ledger. Easy decision in my opinion. I think mistakes at CB can be costlier than at FB so I'd be more inclined to gamble on FB than at CB.
If I remember correctly, the first team in training before the Cyprus game was not the first team for the game. Close, but not quite the perfect pint.
There was at least one difference.
In my view, the only debatable positions are:
Right back (not applicable when Finnan is fit)
Left back (still not convinced with Kilbane, but I'm not saying we have a better option)
One winger (Duff is clear first choice, but who plays on the other side is up for debate. I'd go with McGeady as Trap does, but his performances for Ireland don't let him gain "undroppable" status just yet.)
Centre midfield (both positions): none of Andrews, Whelan, or Gibson is undroppable in my view. All are relatively new to the Irish squad, let alone team. That said, Whelan has done well enough not to be dropped, and Andrews hasn't had a full game yet to prove himself. Still room for debate here though as we have some promising young players in the Championship.
So, to conclude, my undroppables are:
-----------------Given-------------
Finnan-----Dunne---O'Shea------debatable
debatable--debatable--debatable--Duff
------------Keane----Doyle----------
I'd say he prefers to play right back because he seems more comfortable on that side (preferred foot) but he's solid at LB. I have noticed he's a little reluctant to cross the ball on the left hand side, tending to give it to Ronaldo and slowing up the attacks but that is at Man Utd who encourage full backs to bomb forward and play like wingers at times - the Trap doesn't seem to encourage that so not really a problem for us!Care to offer which side?
I'm just concerned that the Trap has been reluctant to road test different options at the back and if something does happen to Dunne/O'Shea what do we do at CB?
Bruce? McShane? I'd have a heart attack if one of them were exposed to Berbatov and co next month.
I don't know enough about Bruce, but McShane is very effective against target men like Berbatov.
In his debut for Sunderland, McShane made Berbatov look invisible.
That said, I'd be worried with McShane in most other games, because of his poor decision making, poor on-the-ball ability, and lack of pace, but strangely enough I'd be comfortable with him man-marking Berbatov.
McShane, while effective at marking target men, is poor against speedsters or tricky players.
Bruce is slow and poor on the ball too! God help us! Maybe theres a Saint out there who can help us?
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