Did anybody see Chelsea Vs Man United today? Aside from being an excellent match the man of the match winner was one John O'Shea, and god was he ever amazing. He was brilliant, he had imo the best striker in the premiership Jimmy Floyd Hasslebaink in his back pocket, limiting him to only one shot on target and that was from outside the box. He showed strenght, pace, a great temperment, passing ability, heading ability and intelligence. He must be considered by McCarthy soon, maybe not the Russia game, but he's potentially our best centre half since McGrath.
Yeah, spot on he was superb tonight. Especially considering he was playing alongside the Premier Leagues version of the three stooges(Blanc, Neville, Silvestre).
Oh well... It seems you are getting your wish, Slash/ED! http://www.fai.ie/NR/exeres/0491D6CA-C95D-48DC-84E9-6874E2FFBE01.htm I know I am a bit iffy on it, but injuries are pushing him up the line. I think he'll be a great player for us, so long as he is managed properly in the interim.
Don, even if he does make the squad he wont start, Breen and Cunningham are Micks first choice pair at the moment, and a centre half is never too likely to be a person to throw on in a match, so the experience will do the lad good and Mick will get a look at him in training. Personally, I think he's ready because what impresses me most about the lad is his temprement and coolness under pressure, reminds me a bit of a younger Robbie Keane in that manner, and he had no problems making the step up and he was playing for Wolves at the time. I know defence is a different kettle of fish, but I honestly have faith in the fact that he's more then capable of it.
I think what we are most likely to see, barring injuries, is O'Shea being thrown into the mix for an easier(?) home game and a few friendlies before he is given the big job. Don't forget that in McCarthy's mind, he is still probably behind Dunne as well as Cunningham and Breen.
O'Shea rule? I could not understand McCarthy with the last squad announcement in regard to O'Shea. Mick said that he would not get into the Ireland Senior Squad without playing first team football for his club.........then if this is the rule then why did he bring McPhail into the squad when his longest run in the Leeds team has been two consecutive substitution appearances? closey
Re: O'Shea rule? I think that "must be playing regularly" clause is patent nonsese. Look at the list of players who would have to be omitted from the Russia squad if Mick took it seriously: Gary Kelly Gary Breen Robbie Keane Kevin Kilbane Mark Kinsella Mark Kennedy Stephen McPhail Gary Doherty (And not forgetting Dommo Foley) Just can't see it happening myself.....
Again, you are right. The experience is marvellous. However, I think McCarthy is right to play it softly-softly with him, especially when so many punters are already saying he should be playing for Ireland, nevr mind just making the squad. Old Trafford is a goldfish bowl to play in and he'll have enough on his plate for now coping with the increase in his fame that performances like that against Chelsea will earn him. Having to be a regular Irish international can wait for another day. Plus the more senior football he gets before being picked for Ireland the better.
From what I have seen of him, he looks a really good prospect. I wouldn't be surprised if he is forming the United central defence with Ferdinand before the end of the season.
I was going to start a new thread but I'll just put this one back to the top, I've watched O'Shea alot recently, and depsite playing completley out of position at right back (Due to Nevilles injury) he has STILL looked class. Not only is his tackling top notch, but he is as comfortable on the ball as any centre half in the world, can pass with both feet, is brilliant in the air, is so fast yet he out muscled Viduka and Hasselbaink, no easy task. He MUST start against the Swiss, he is without a doubt our most in form defender at the moment and is what we need in defence, the fact he wasn't on the bench against Russia is shocking, he should be on the pitch let alone in the stand. I wouldn't say this lightly, but he is the next McGrath, that's how highly I rate the lad.
Yeah, Fergussen rates him very highly. If only Fergie would stop drinking the Scotch and finally realise that Blanc is a total liability and should be sent back to that wonderful place called France, O'Shea and Ferdinand would be a great duo.
I think that would be the case were it not for Nevilles injury forcing O'Shea to play right back. He simply has to start against the Swiss, no two ways about it. Sticking him in the stand is an insult to the one of the best young defenders in the game. Mick messed up badly not even picking him in the Finland match, I know he withdrew from the U21 match but he may not have been so quick to stay in Manchester if Ireland caps were on the line, and if that were the case he should have played the full 90 minutes, how else will he get international experience?
Agreed, definately needs to play in the next match- I know Newcastle are playing like crap at the moment but does anyone know how Any O'Brien is doing since coming back from injury?
He's only be back two or three matches as far as I know, haven't seen much about him which means he's been solid enough I'd presume, better then Bramble anyway. The North East derby will give us a good indacation of his form.
O'Shea started again for Man U last night, albeit at right back. I must say I thought he looked fairly composed and wasn't overawed by facing the likes of Basturk. Of course Ferguson had to tinker with a defence that hadn't conceded a goal (or was O'Shea hurt?) by bringing on England's finest right back (and I'm Diego Maradona) Gary Neville. One of the excuses Mick gives for not playing O'Shea is his lack of experience at the top level. Well, if he keeps playing Champions League this season, he will soon have more top level experience than most of the players in our defence. I would count games against the likes of Leverkusen as far more testing than international caps won against Finland or Cyprus. Yes Gary Breen and Kenny C have a World Cup under their belt, but soon (hopefully) O'Shea will have played against players of far higher stature than the forwards of Cameroon and Saudi. In others news, did anyone else thoroughly enjoy Forlan's headless chicken performance last night?!
He got a bang on the head in the first half and was substituted at half-time suffering from double vision according to Ferguson.
Even at right back O'Shea looks good, and he's 10 times better as a centre half. Watching Mick McCarthy on goals on sunday the other day nearly made me throw up, he said, but not in as many words, O'Shea wont start for a long while when Breen and Cunningham are fit. Useless, f'n useless.
I just finished watching the Man Utd-Spurs match and I also think that Doherty did well despite giving away the penalty. I would like to see a O'Shea-Doherty partnership soon.