Paul McShane

[yapster]

I think the main difference between Dunne and McShane is that Dunne had some natural ability to rely on. At a younger age, his "mentality", as Trapp would say, to the game was not as focussed or motivated as it should have been.

McShane cannot be faulted for effort - he unfortunately lacks the little bit of natural ability that Dunne was lucky enough to be blessed with.

In fact, somtimes the harder McShane tries, its more likely some calamity will strike him at any moment.

Spot on

[yapster]

Perhaps. Perhaps not. I remember O'Shea going AWOL for the home game against Italy. WHo knows. Don't forget it would also have gone to penos so 50/50 there.

O'Shea still lacks concentration at the best of times

[elroy]

Perhaps. Perhaps not. I remember O'Shea going AWOL for the home game against Italy. WHo knows. Don't forget it would also have gone to penos so 50/50 there.

I dont accept that to be honest, i think its harsh to blame JOSH for that goal. yes there was a gap on the right hand side as a result of him tucking into midfield, but the ball broke into midfield from the Italian area, he won the ball, it was unfortunate that the Italian defender connected with his clearance perfectly which set them free down the right hand side. It was still three on four at that stage and couldve been managed better than it was. The goal was almost like slow motion.

Paul O'Shea here used to always write that Dunne had a mistake in him in every game which he really only eradicated in the last year or two (FA Cup semi-final excepted) but I think that at the same age Dunne was a better player. I really hope McShane improves and maybe a good manager will help him do so. Right now though he puts the fear of God into me when I see him in green. Give me eleven McShanes over one Stephen Ireland any day though. I like his attitude a lot.

Its arguable that Dunne is still prone to the odd error every few games that perhaps top defenders arent. For example, as you have alluded he made a poor clearance in the cup semi against chelsea which was punished with the first goal, he also was very fortunate in the Bham game with a lapse in concentration that Larrsson shouldve punished. Thankfully he doesnt seem to suffer from these lapses playing for us with whom his performances in the last campaign in particular were top class.

[Charlie Darwin]

Dunne's been a bag of nerves since his mistake in the Carling Cup final. And it was his error that led to O'Shea's injury in Paris. But all-round this is probably his best season in the Premier League.

[Colbert Report]

Forget Dunne, this is McShane's thread.

McShane is a donkey who will be lucky to find a job in the Championship next season.

[Serb]

Forget Dunne, this is McShane's thread.

McShane is a donkey who will be lucky to find a job in the Championship next season.

That's a bit harsh, the Championship is his level.

[tetsujin1979]

Forget Dunne, this is McShane's thread.

McShane is a donkey who will be lucky to find a job in the Championship next season.

Player of the season with Brighton in the Championship before, I'd say he'll be well able for that level

[Charlie Darwin]

He's obviously good enough for that level. Anybody who says otherwise isn't approaching the situation with an objective eye. At the moment, he's still very much a Premiership player and will probably move to another one next season.

[Colbert Report]

Yeah, he'll definitely get a job in the Championship based on reputation, but really shouldn't based on his performances this season. I've watched a tonne of Hull matches and he is a major reason they are going down.

[Charlie Darwin]

He's easily their best defender since Turner left.

[Colbert Report]

Zayatte was the main man at the back until he got injured.

[Wolfie]

This is nonsense - Alex Ferguson seemed to think McShane had a bit of natural ability, and he tends to be a fairly good judge. Most United trainees don't make it at the top level, but they're all drafted because they have the raw materials. McShane is slow and his decision-making is questionable, but the same has been true of Richard for his entire career. McShane was on great form last year until Sbragia recalled him on loan to spite Phil Brown - there's no reason he can't become a really useful player in the future with a couple of years of uninterrupted game time. He might have to go back to the Championship for that, but there's a reason successive Premier League managers have invested in his talents.

Alex Ferguson is not an infallible judge as some of his dealings in the transfer market and retaining of some academy players have proven. How many first team appearances did McShane make for Man u anyway?

He's currently not good enough for International football and there's no point saying anything else.

I accept he may develop into a more reliable defender, he's certainly got the right attitude, but I'll be hoping a few better options arise at centre half and indeed full back, thanks.

[Charlie Darwin]

Alex Ferguson is not an infallible judge as some of his dealings in the transfer market and retaining of some academy players have proven. How many first team appearances did McShane make for Man u anyway?

He's currently not good enough for International football and there's no point saying anything else.

I accept he may develop into a more reliable defender, he's certainly got the right attitude, but I'll be hoping a few better options arise at centre half and indeed full back, thanks.

I said Ferguson picked him because he had raw talent - I don't really see how anyone can debate that. Some people seem determined to prove that McShane's entire career to date, most of it as a Premiership player, has been some gigantic mistake.

[yapster]

Even the best of managers will make mistakes at times. I hope McShane will improve his game but the signs aren't good. Yes he has great heart and enthusium but technically he doesn't seem to have improved. He has got to do the simple things well in his game.

[SkStu]

his concentration and decision making are the more worrying parts of his game, for me, as opposed to technique or the simple things.

[SilkCut]

McShane is CURRENTLY absolutely terrible, however his career does seem to be very similar to that of Dunne. Good start then awful for a few years before maturing into a very good defender based on his strength and ability to read the game. Hopefully this is how McShane will turn out but right now I would not have him on any team in the world.

[Wolfie]

Some people seem determined to prove that McShane's entire career to date, most of it as a Premiership player, has been some gigantic mistake.

Well, the above certainly does not represent my view.

He made one of the best debuts in an Irish shirt that I've ever seen, for starters. Sadly, its all been down hill from there - so far.

There's no agenda - I just think we need better options at the back to what McShane currently has to offer.

[seanfhear]

I think he needs to consisitently play as a centre back either in the premier league (if possible) or in the championship.

Sometimes centre backs mature a bit later and hopefully Paul will be one of those.

[ofjames]

He's obviously good enough for that level. Anybody who says otherwise isn't approaching the situation with an objective eye. At the moment, he's still very much a Premiership player and will probably move to another one next season.

take of the green tinted spectacles.

he must have close to 100 premiership appearances now?

you would struggle to find more than a handful of players who have made so many appearances at that level who have been worse than mcshane.

he's awful.

comparing to dunne is a nonsense. a young dunne with 12 pints on him would be less of a liability

any premiership manager that signs him will be a championship manager come 2011/12 season

[geysir]

ATM McShane is not awful, he is well capable of being a good defender for a top championship team, but I think now he would only get onto an EPL team with a strict budget.
I never saw much of the young Dunne outside his occasional appearances for Ireland.

There used to plenty of (awful) comments here, about O'Shea being awful before he reached the ripe age of 26.