Originally posted by The Money Man
Obviously Shed End you can put me right with a litany of other mistakes he made because you seem to remember the six games with crystal clarity.
I never claimed to have such a photographic memory. I assess players over what they show in games as a whole. Which leads me to conclude that O'Brien is a limited player.
No matter what standard some players play at they don't always have what it takes for international football.
O'Brien is getting good exposure to quality football but just assuming he should be a first choice centre back on that basis probably isn't the best decision.
Experience can could for a lot at the top level as shown by Stauntons performances in the last year - he was terrible in the preceeding year but turned it around.
Originally posted by pete O'Brien is getting good exposure to quality football but just assuming he should be a first choice centre back on that basis probably isn't the best decision.
Have to agree with ya there. Just going on what level a guy plays at is a really misguided and ill-informed way of assessing his overall worth/importance etc, etc.
Originally posted by pete No matter what standard some players play at they don't always have what it takes for international football.
O'Brien is getting good exposure to quality football but just assuming he should be a first choice centre back on that basis probably isn't the best decision.
I agree that we can't assume international greatness from exposure to quality at club level. We have all seen good club performers flop on the bigger stage. That said, after the debacles of Russia and Switzerland, I think O'Brien deserves a go ahead of the two men on duty on those occassions.
Originally posted by The Money Man
That said, after the debacles of Russia and Switzerland, I think O'Brien deserves a go ahead of the two men on duty on those occassions.
Hey, don't forget John O'Shea. He didn't play in either of those games. Look at the reviews he gets every week when he plays with United (not that I'd EVER support them), he's SURELY worth a shot.
I haven't forgotten O'Shea Shed End. He's in my selected back four. I refer you back to my original posting on this thread.
Noted. But, O'Brien is too limited a player to have next to a talent like O'Shea. Poor bugger would end up doing two jobs just like O'Briens partner at Newcastle.
Noted. But, O'Brien is too limited a player to have next to a talent like O'Shea. Poor bugger would end up doing two jobs just like O'Briens partner at Newcastle.
Murphy Out Now!!!
I wouldn't have considered Nico the Greek to be good enough to carry himself never mind anybody else.
My back four would also be Carr - O'Brien - O'Shea - Finnan
About O'Brien: I was at Newcastle - Juventus (I was visiting a friend, so I was at the game purely as a neutral) and O'Brien was fantastic. He contained Del Piero no problem. He also does a lot of running that you don't see on the cameras, closing down angles and thinking ahead, while guiding the young Titus Bramble. He was quite easily the man of the match in that game. If anyone is carrying anyone in the NUFC defence, then O'Brien is carrying that eejit Dabizas.
The biggest problem at Newcastle is that they don't have a Keane/Gerrard/Vieira/Dacourt type player who can win the ball and distribute it properly, holding on to possession. The Newcastle midfielders lose the the ball too much. The defence is under too much pressure all the time. This was evident in the last quarter of the match against Juventus, and in the second half against Feynoord.
O'Brien also plays in the same defence as Shay Given, so it would make 100% sense to play them together at international level as well, seeing that the biggest problem at international level is getting the team to gel.
What about Dunne. He seems to have sorted himself out and is playing well for Man City.
I reckon the back four should be
Finnan Dunne OShea Carr
I think that back 4 will the first choice for years to come.
Originally posted by brine2 My back four would also be Carr - O'Brien - O'Shea - Finnan
O'Brien was fantastic. He contained Del Piero no problem.
O'Brien also plays in the same defence as Shay Given, so it would make 100% sense to play them together at international level
Vindication at last. Now we have a first hand view of O'Brien at Champions League level. I have pointed out all along that O'Brien only made one significant mistake in the entire first phase. Despite the fact that nobody can cite any other mistake, they seem happy enough to dismiss his contribution to Newcastle's progress. Newcastle wont get past phase two but six more games at that level will only further O'Briens experience amonst the best of what Europe has to offer.
Originally posted by oddboy
Why not,
Andrew Jitendra O'Brien, anyone??
His father could have been a docker from Clonmel. and his mother a curry chef from Dhaka....
He must've got his nose from his mothers side then - I understand that Clonmel noses are petite and perfectly formed.
Originally posted by colster What about Dunne. He seems to have sorted himself out and is playing well for Man City.
I reckon the back four should be
Finnan Dunne OShea Carr
I think that back 4 will the first choice for years to come.
You're right, Dunne has sorted himself out and IS playing really well for Man City, but, there's a catch. Dunne is very much a horses for courses player. He will invariably play a blinder against teams who through design or panic (Holland September 2001) resort to putting high balls into the box. Dunne will on the other hand struggle against teams with quick forwards who'll keep the ball on the deck.
Dunne will on the other hand struggle against teams with quick forwards who'll keep the ball on the deck.
Thats bang on. There are certainly occassions on which Dunne could do a job for us. He is a one trick pony though. He would suit fine against sides who try to bang the door down but could be exposed against sides who try to pick the lock.
Originally posted by colster Finnan Dunne OShea Carr
I think that back 4 will the first choice for years to come.
Totally agree. although idid say Finnan should be right mid in another thread. Actually, Finnans more consistent than any of our wealth of right backs so maybe he should be the one to get his natural spot.
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