Quoteyou had me at McShane.Originally Posted by TrapAPony
O'Dea, McShane...
you had me at McShane.
I like high energy football. A little bit rock and roll. Many finishes instead of waiting for the perfect one.
So he's retired from international football but expects Trap to ring him up?
Was just going to say this, if retired and a few years ago at that and has, to the best of my knowledge, never expressed an interest to return until now. and at that its via twitter. Judging by the response it does appear genuine. Certainly worth a squad place?
I'd rather develop Bruce, O'Dea, Duffy and Clark than call him back.
Ou-est le Centre George Pompidou?
Yes, and in reverse order!
Bruce is already developed, so you'd be thinking more in the lines of a transformation.
O'Brien is a top quality centre back in my opinion, who hasn't had much luck in the last few years. Unfairly blamed for the Cyprus debacle and a few transfers that didn't work out. Hopefully a promotion back to the premier league with a big club is on the cards. Its where he should be.
If there is any chance he is considering coming back, Trap should be on the phone to see if he can be nudged in the right direction.
Bring Back Belfast Celtic F.C.
Just read there that O'Brien doesn't have an agent and his dad gives him a hand negotiating deals. His dad called Ken Bates fat recently. O'Brien may possibly be sounder than I had given him credit for.
He is an okay player but lacks pace which is a big drawback as the quality of opposition improves.
Always thought he was mobile for a tall guy myself.
O'Brien's OK, but a stopgap measure at best. Bruce also, though less so.
Clark should be cultivated to play C/B, initially along Dunne or St.Ledger. With hopefully O'Dea & Duffy in reserve. The latter has to get back to full fitness for next season and hopefully first team football, if not at Everton, then at loan a division below.
Delaney at Ipswich could also be worth a shout, but doubtful he'd ever be PL status?
I have watched him against fast players and he actually appeared to be running backwards.
Even at that I would say that he is deceptive in that he is slower than he looks (to steal the Tommy Doherty quote about Leighton James from way back then)
Can agree with most of that. Clark and Duffy are probably our default centre back partnership for this decade (I thought the same about Dunne & O'Brien after the 2002 WC). Unfortunately O'Brien has missed what should have been the best the years of his international career. I'm not talking about his being in the first 11, but as an option in the squad I think he is certainly better than McShane, O'Dea, Bruce, Delaney etc.
He hasn't really had much luck since Bobby Robson got sacked by Newcastle. Looked a real prospect with Bradford in the Premier League, and was fulfilling his potential with Newcastle, as one half of a cracking partnership with Jonathan Woodgate. But then Souness came in to St. James Park and didn't really fancy him, then off to Portsmouth, only for Harry Redknapp to come in and not really fancy him, then off to Bolton and Gary Megson, only for Coyle to come in and not really fancy him.
Bring Back Belfast Celtic F.C.
Better than McShane, but a different sort of player. The point is he's barely PL quality at best, whereas O'Dea still could be and as St.Ledger/Duffy will also prove by next season.
Amazed no-one's come in for St.L, but maybe his stock has fallen like AO'B's??
Three top flight mangers not picking you isn't bad luck.
Ou-est le Centre George Pompidou?
See above re. being 'PL quality', sadly.
Robson picked him, every week. I'd take a fit Bobby Robson, god rest his soul, over any of the three that didn't like the look of him.
Bring Back Belfast Celtic F.C.
Hardly matters. O'Brien had plenty of top flight chances and never really established himself but it wasn't because of bad fortune.
Ou-est le Centre George Pompidou?
O'Dea will ever have half the career O'Brien had, mark my words, he's played in the region of 300 games in the Premier League, O'Dea didn't make it in the SPL....
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