Richard Dunne

**eirebhoy** · 06/02/2005, 5:20 PM

I didn't see if he got the official man of the match but he was by far and away the best outfield player on the pitch today. That's Arsenal, Chelsea and Man U he has got man of the match against. I've always said I didn't want to break the O'Brien-Cunningham partnership as they've been superb for us but Dunne's form is too hard to ignore.

**Kowalski** · 06/02/2005, 6:17 PM

No doubt about it, he was man of the match today and sky gave it to him surprisingly enough when you consider they tend to favour english players in their motm choices and with james last couple of saves, i wouldnt of been surpirised if they gave it to him.
I think he's having a great season & reckon he is a better player than O'Brien & would trust Dunne a lot more against a world class striker

**Condex** · 06/02/2005, 6:27 PM

On current form Dunne has to be in the team, O'Brien is far from first choice at Newcastle and usually when reading reports of games hes played in and his name is mentioned, the word mistake is not too far away.

**eirebhoy** · 06/02/2005, 6:34 PM

Dunne's last 5 ratings from Sky (even Duffer rarely gets 8 and 9's these days):

9 - 9 - 8 - 8 - 9

"Immense at the back"
"Impressive throughout"
"Rock at the back"
"Outstanding performance"
"Solid in defence"

Best form centre half in the premiership without a doubt.

**Daxion** · 06/02/2005, 9:02 PM

Will be interesting to see how he plays in the Manc. derby next weekend.

**adamcarr** · 06/02/2005, 9:28 PM

He had an absolute stormer today. His las second tackle on Gudjohnsen near the end was amazing!

**onenilgameover** · 06/02/2005, 10:20 PM

Dunne has been unstoppable and O'Brien of late has had the first touch of a pinball machine surely Dunne has to make the starting eleven on Wed with the possibility of playing the pairing in Tel Aviv....

**on_me_head_son** · 07/02/2005, 5:08 AM

Originally Posted by onenilgameover

Dunne has been unstoppable and O'Brien of late has had the first touch of a pinball machine surely Dunne has to make the starting eleven on Wed with the possibility of playing the pairing in Tel Aviv....

Agreed. Dunne was outstanding against Chelsea and has been playing well all season. He's lost a lot of weight and seems much leaner. He has become more mobile as well I'd say. He should start against Portugal.

**Stuttgart88** · 07/02/2005, 6:58 AM

Agreed with all of the above. He's been MOTM against MUFC, Arsenal and now Chelsea so far this year. 5 Live waxed lyrical about his performance at Highbury in January.

That tackle on Gudjonssen near the end was exactly the same tackle he made on Kluivert in the last minutes in Amsterdam in 2000 if anyone remembers.

Just as well he's on form. O'Brien's error gave Charlton their equaliser, Kenny gave MUFC one of their goals and, despite a well-taken goal, Doherty looked a disaster at the back for Norwich.

**Junior** · 07/02/2005, 11:07 AM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

That tackle on Gudjonssen near the end was exactly the same tackle he made on Kluivert in the last minutes in Amsterdam in 2000 if anyone remembers.

Absoloutely!! you took the post right off my keyboard

**Duncan Gardner** · 07/02/2005, 11:10 AM

Aye, the big man had Eidur down in his pocket all afternoon

**eirebhoy** · 07/02/2005, 11:49 AM

Well I think its certain that Gudjonsson will be voting Dunne in the premiership team of the year.

Dunne would be really highly rated worldwide after getting MOM against the top 3.

**tetsujin1979** · 07/02/2005, 12:02 PM

He did a similar marking job on Jon Carew when Norway played in Brian Kerr's first home game as Ireland manager. This was when Carew was playing out of his skin in the champion's league and primera liga for Valencia and Dunne was starting to get his act together for Man City.

**ken foree** · 07/02/2005, 1:03 PM

not convinced of his pace over the first yard or two but he certainly makes ammends with some superb tackling. overall play looks a revelation too, very happy for him!

**tetsujin1979** · 07/02/2005, 1:06 PM

Originally Posted by ken foree

not convinced of his pace over the first yard or two but he certainly makes ammends with some superb tackling. overall play looks a revelation too, very happy for him!

Tell that to Thierry Henry!! Kept him quiet in the game at Highbury. Over the first 5 yards he's deceptively fast for a bloke his size.

**ken foree** · 07/02/2005, 1:12 PM

whoa

"After the weekend’s Premiership action, City can boast the third best defensive record in the top flight, behind just the top two, Chelsea and Manchester United."

**tetsujin1979** · 07/02/2005, 1:18 PM

Originally Posted by ken foree

whoa

"After the weekend’s Premiership action, City can boast the third best defensive record in the top flight, behind just the top two, Chelsea and Manchester United."

Technically it's joint third with Liverpool and Everton, all on 27 goals conceded. Check it out here