The same Koller that scored yes but I think it says it all if you think he was "lost abysmally". There were a lot of factors in that goal. O'Shea's stupidity in throwing the ball to the Czechs to take a quick free kick and strolling back, leaving McShane one on one with Koller. He kept with Koller and pushed him out wide. Henderson's positioning was poor.Originally Posted by sadloserkid
Of all things I can't believe you'd actually question is concentration for that goal. I find that very strange.
McShane gave his man far, far too much space. End of. He's nowhere near the completed product and he's hardly in his teens anymore. He's a championship defender who's incapable of doing the right thing for 90 minutes. He does well in spells but he's a constant risk.
The ball is round and has many surprises.
I actually think he's less primitive than people think. He actually tries to find team mates with his headed clearances and tries to pass the ball. Not always successfullly mind you!
I don't think playing at a struggling team with quite a few players out of their depth helps him to be honest. I didn't see the game this weekend but any reports I read named Evans as the culprit.
As soon as Koller receives the ball McShane is on him and their arms are nearly tangling together. If that was Richard Dunne I'm sure people would give him the benefit of the doubt. What did you think of Carew's goal against Dunne a couple of weeks ago? Or Santa Cruz's 2nd last week when Dunne was marking him? McShane must be the most picked on player I've ever known.
Fair enough, he may not do the right thing for 90 minutes but I don't think he can be accused of lacking concentration. It's just an easy accusation to make like "poor first touch" is for a striker.
I'm unsure as to whether he'll ever really make it. He's really determined and works really hard, but his positioning and decision making are poor, but he's still young. Centre backs take a lot of time to mature and you can't really say he's completely finished until he's about 25. Look at Dunne FFS. He was hardly amazing at that age. McShane may have the potential to make it. What isn't helping him is not having an experienced leader partnering him who's telling him what to do like he has for Ireland. The problem is he's been rushed through into Ireland's first eleven too early as there was nobody else at the time. If he was just a young Irish player who'd never been capped we'd be praising him a lot more.
fair point jm..what your saying is he is a victim of situation..i have to admit i thought he was a lot better than he is...
'How can I hate women, my Mums one!!!' Chris Finch
McShane is a great prospect, and due to our lack of options at centre-half is a definite squad player.
He's a work in progress at this stage and his consistency is questionable, as it is for the majority of centre-halfs at his age.
I don't see much between him and Andy O'Brien at this point, both of them have their strengths and weaknesses, but at least we have 3 Premiership centre-halfs now, and that will provide some competition.
For me, I'd be playing one of Andy O'Brien and McShane beside Dunne, whoever is in better form, and leaving the other on the bench.
At least the emergence of McShane, and the resurgence of O'Brien give us a little more depth at that position, and hopefully a little more stability.
You may be right in general, but I honestly thought the late equlaliser in Cardiff (only example I can think of - Koller's goal was o'Shea's lapse and Henderson should have saved it) was nothing but a lack of concentration. That said, if I was the keeper I'd have been reminding him to keep his eye on the forward.
I would have just put it down to lack of pace. A ball over the top. Ireland were playing a very high line. McShane reacted quicker than the striker but the striker outdone him for pace. I think he's a player that is always focused, whether he's doing the right thing or not.
Maybe so!
If we could combine McShane's desire with O'Shea's natural ability we'd have some player.
Such is life...
Well I was watching that film The Fly at the weekend and I think it might be possible.
In Trap we trust
He's been dropped alot recently. What do you think of the lad?
Was hugely over-rated a few months back.
Has potential, still young but has an awful lot to learn.
There's difference between over rating and giving credit where it's due.
He was playing well, but was dropped and rightly so. Alot depends on who you play beside him.
He's only been dropped once lately, he just hasn't got his place back!
I agree with Dr. Peepee, he should have been taken out of the firing line a while back. He's a decent player, great attitude but has a long way to go. It's tough when you're finding your feet as a defender in a weak team. I've seen plenty of good in him and plenty of carelessness and positioning errors too.
Plus a lot is two words.
In Trap we trust
Does O'Shea have "natural ability"? Granted he looks well balanced and poised when on the ball but that doesn't stop him giving it away half the time when he has to pass it!
Forget about the performance or entertainment. It's only the result that matters.
He didnt seem to give it away as much when moved to central defence? no?
Central midfield he was terrible tho. But Kilbane suffers from the same thing.
Natural ability to what exactly?
Honest! I am not a secret Tim nor a closet Sham - I really am a Seagull.
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