Richard Dunne

**DmanDmythDledge** · 29/08/2009, 1:02 PM

I wouldn't be so sure of that after Spurs just paid �8m for Bassong.

**Drumcondra 69er** · 29/08/2009, 1:11 PM

Originally Posted by shakermaker1982

MON Villa side in 07/08 got 60 points which was their highest points tally since 96/97 season. Last year they got 62 points and would have broken into the top 4 but for a poor end to the season which wasn't helped by having such a small squad. O'Leary had a good first season with Villa but they were disappointing after that. I'm pretty sure in his final season they were close to the relegation pack and he left soon after. O'Neill has done a solid job at Villa & was excellent at both Celtic and Leicester.

All correct. My point was in response to the quote from the previous psoter where it was said that 'The fact that Villa could even compete for a top four spot last year is a testament to his ability as a manager.'

So what does that say about O'Leary who also had Leeds 4th and 3rd before being bankrolled and 4th and 5th after.? I rate MON but do think his reputation is overstated, Strachan arguably did better at Celtic despite a far smaller budget and the lack of support from the fans. MON never got out of the group stage of the CL or managed 3 titles in a row for example.

**kennedmc** · 29/08/2009, 2:03 PM

Originally Posted by Drumcondra 69er

All correct. My point was in response to the quote from the previous psoter where it was said that 'The fact that Villa could even compete for a top four spot last year is a testament to his ability as a manager.'

So what does that say about O'Leary who also had Leeds 4th and 3rd before being bankrolled and 4th and 5th after.? I rate MON but do think his reputation is overstated, Strachan arguably did better at Celtic despite a far smaller budget and the lack of support from the fans. MON never got out of the group stage of the CL or managed 3 titles in a row for example.

I agree with Drum!!

Once again I'm not saying that O'Neill is a bad manager - but talking to some Irish footie fans they'd have him up there with the best. I'd put him on the same level as Redknapp and Moyes. I don' think he is that good tactically but the positives outweigh the negatives.

would be a great manager for Ireland going forward as we are abit of a Leicester in international terms. That is we will also have limited resources and need a manager that can help us punch above our weight.

**Stuttgart88** · 30/08/2009, 11:09 AM

I think MON is more of a captain off the pitch than a coach. Players bust their guts for him. I don't think O'Leary has anything like that type of personality.

**Crosby87** · 30/08/2009, 12:20 PM

Petrov said Dunne is the captain of Ireland?

**NeilMcD** · 30/08/2009, 12:27 PM

Yeah its amazing how some people are flavour of the month or year and some are not. I think O Neill and O Leary are classic examples of this. O Neill seems like a nice guy and intelligent guy, O Leary seems a bit smarmy and as a result he is not rated

Richard Dunne is a wardrobe though.

**Stuttgart88** · 30/08/2009, 6:32 PM

Gabriele Marcoti and some Villa punter were just on he 606 phone in criticising Villa's move for Dunne, both agreeing they don't need him and that Stephen Taylor or Brede Hangeland are better and pretty much dismissing Dunne's ability.

I was tempted to text in and ask Marcoti to watch a video of Bulgaria v Ireland in June.

**Razors left peg** · 30/08/2009, 6:50 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Gabriele Marcoti and some Villa punter were just on he 606 phone in criticising Villa's move for Dunne, both agreeing they don't need him and that Stephen Taylor or Brede Hangeland are better and pretty much dismissing Dunne's ability.

I was tempted to text in and ask Marcoti to watch a video of Bulgaria v Ireland in June.

Seems to be a regular thing in england where Irish players ability is dismissed offhand. If his name was Dunnov from Bulgaria or Russia they would probably be raving about him. By christmas they will be calling Martin o Neill a genius for signing him

**Stuttgart88** · 30/08/2009, 7:15 PM

Marcoti was criticising MON for never signing foreigners from foreign leagues, suggesting he either mistrusts them or doesn't do enough scouting. Again, there's a clear suggestion that foreign is better just because it's foreign. I think Finnan was a great example of a player being underrated for not being foreign.

**Razors left peg** · 30/08/2009, 7:22 PM

as was said on another Thread there were Wolves fans questioning spending 6 million on Kevin Doyle, if Wolves had spent 6 million on a striker from Mexico there wouldnt be anything other than excitement even though they prob had never heard of him. There definately is a culture of foreign is better sometimes... u can look at Dunne and Toure too, for me Toure isnt any better

**shakermaker1982** · 30/08/2009, 8:45 PM

Dunne is a better player than Steven Taylor. Hangeland and Distin are in Dunne's class but Villa fans should be happy that they have just bought a solid premier league performer without getting ripped off. Lescott went for over 20 million.....Villa fans will warm to Dunne straight away.

**geysir** · 30/08/2009, 9:09 PM

Was Marcotti on about Dunne's actual ability to be a centre half/stalwart for Villa or about the perception of Villa having pretensions, but signing a cast off from a real upwardly looking mobile club?

Has anyone ever tried to live with owning an Alfa Romeo?

**Stuttgart88** · 31/08/2009, 7:57 AM

It was a dismissal of Dunne's ability.

**an_ceannaire** · 31/08/2009, 8:08 AM

From Villa Fan's site

" Is there no way we let MON know we dont want Richard Dunne? 6M for a City reject! No way. I would rather keep the money and move for Upson or Caldwell. Not Dunne"

and

"Seems the Dunne transfer was just pie in the sky, thanks be to God for that. Why would we spend over 5m on the most accident prone centre half in the premiership. We should have bought Distin."

**Scram** · 31/08/2009, 8:09 AM

Originally Posted by shakermaker1982

Dunne is a better player than Steven Taylor. Hangeland and Distin are in Dunne's class but Villa fans should be happy that they have just bought a solid premier league performer without getting ripped off. Lescott went for over 20 million.....Villa fans will warm to Dunne straight away.

Taylor IS a Muppet, nowhere near the ability of Dunne.

I do worry about Dunne now though as he has been cast off by Hughes, it will be a mental blow and he will have pressure to perform, both real and perceived.

I really hope he can do himself justice and I would LOVE if Villa could beat CityBank.

**geysir** · 31/08/2009, 10:47 AM

I can't say, I have seen very little of Dunne in the EPL games.

To me it looks a good signing by O'Neill.
But I am one who rates Puyol as a great defender and leader.

The proof will be in the pudding.

**Scram** · 31/08/2009, 10:54 AM

Originally Posted by geysir

I can't say, I have seen very little of Dunne in the EPL games.

To me it looks a good signing by O'Neill.
But I am one who rates Puyol as a great defender and leader.

The proof will be in the pudding.

The proof is in the eating, not in the pudding.

**geysir** · 31/08/2009, 10:56 AM

Let's hope he doesn't bite as fast as that.

**Den Perry** · 31/08/2009, 11:28 AM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Gabriele Marcoti and some Villa punter were just on he 606 phone in criticising Villa's move for Dunne, both agreeing they don't need him and that Stephen Taylor or Brede Hangeland are better and pretty much dismissing Dunne's ability.

I was tempted to text in and ask Marcoti to watch a video of Bulgaria v Ireland in June.

Stephen Taylor...don't tell me he's highly rated?

**Scram** · 31/08/2009, 11:45 AM

Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
Gabriele Marcoti and some Villa punter were just on he 606 phone in criticising Villa's move for Dunne, both agreeing they don't need him and that Stephen Taylor or Brede Hangeland are better and pretty much dismissing Dunne's ability.

I was tempted to text in and ask Marcoti to watch a video of Bulgaria v Ireland in June.

Originally Posted by Den Perry

Stephen Taylor...don't tell me he's highly rated?

Incredibly, yes, by some English punters. The guy's a disaster.