Oct 25
Why We Love John O’Shea
I’ve been trawling through pages randomly when I bumped across this article on the Telegraph. It started off like the usual articles one gets to read on the back of a great performance by United. The usual stuff — on this occasion, bringing Rooney’s birthday into perspective, as if his day had an astral significance on events that unfolded in Kiev — punctuated the article, with facts that United’s injury ‘crisis’ hasn’t really affected their play.
But it was towards the end of the page that I came upon these quotes from our Utility Man.
“Stretched to the limit” was how John O’Shea described matters, though the Irishman is at his most valuable when Manchester United are at breaking point. On Tuesday night he was first asked to fill in for Scholes and then shifted to left-back to cover for Patrice Evra. [...] ”It’s always going to be like that for me,” O’Shea said. “I was due to start the game in midfield but played most of it at left-back and then finished in midfield. I just enjoy being in the team. ”There’s a great strength in depth to this squad; that’s without doubt a difference between this squad and previous ones. We’re getting stretched to the limit at the moment but we have some good young lads as well.” [...] “Without doubt, some teams are scared of us. Nights like this really make the opposition aware of what we’re capable of. When teams come to Old Trafford they like to play five in midfield and play for the draw, but with the attack we have they’re going to be very wary just trying to defend against that lot.”
Now any player, deep down, would like to start every game possible for his team. A prolonged time warming the bench would only fan the flames of discontent. However, some players recognise their role in the team. In fact, much of the team’s success is down to these players; the only thing is that their importance goes unnoticed because of the kind of job they are expected to do for the team.
John O’Shea’s quotes, especially when he said, “It’s always going to be like that for me” and “I just enjoy being in the team” is another such instance of selflessness seen in a player for the team’s cause. But that is not just it. It is also extremely honest of him to say such things. True, he is a limited player. He has been known to give the ball away at times and has been frustrating in general for a lot of fans. But there are things about O’Shea that does beg a hearty laugh, at least.
He had shown tremendous promise in the 2002-03 season. However, things didn’t stay that way. But he sure did nutmeg Luis Figo, he played as a ‘keeper for us, he chipped Almunia when we beat Arsenal 4-2 and, more recently, scored against the ‘dippers in a late, late goal last season, when we were playing absolutely shite. He’s had the highest shots to goals conversion last season in the League. (80%!)
It’s a little wonder that he played 40 games for us, in a demonstration of how valuable he was, last season. More significantly, we finished above Liverpool in the 05/06 with a midfield of Giggs and O’Shea/Fletcher for most part of the second half, when Scholes was out with blurred eyesight.
The joy he gets for just wearing the red shirt is something a manager would want from his players. He is a manager’s player — someone who would play in any position if his manager tells him to and without any misgivings. O’Shea enjoys it, and it’s worth remembering his role in our team especially with the kind of injury situation we are faced with at present.
And that’s why we love O’Shea; despite the moments of madness, despite being, well… average. He would never set the world on fire by going on mazy runs. He would never boss a midfield like Scholes. But he would play to his limits when we need him the most. And he would enjoy it every bit, thanking everything in the world that he has the chance to wear the Red shirt.
And for that he wins my vote. Here’s a tongue-in-cheek video to jog those memories. Enjoy!
Note: For those wondering why I didn’t have a match report out, I missed the game thanks to some pressing work. You see, I have a personal life too! But thanks to the power of the internet, I could catch the extended highlights. And some of you might find this link interesting — yes, all 11 minutes of it.
Related items from Red Rants:
- O’Shea deserves his place in the spotlight
- Manchester United 08/09 Season Review – Part III: The Defence
- A few thoughts on the poppy fuss
- Ronaldo: I like to know what’s happening at Old Trafford
- Man Utd 0-0 Villarreal: Ronaldo Returns
Tags: Manchester United Players · Opinions/Columns
October 25th, 2007 at 11:38
This is exactly what he is: a utility man. And we need him. So far this season he’s got 5 matches from start (incl. the Carling Cup defeat) and he’s come off the bench 6 times. It makes him one of the most used players in the squad. He might not be there, when we have no injuries, but this is Manchester United, and we’ll always have injuries.
Plus he’s a decent threat on setpieces. He could’ve scored in Kiev as well, which shows he’s a fighter running the distance it takes to be in the team. Of course his goal against Liverpool last season will ensure his place in the hearts of fans until the end of time.
October 25th, 2007 at 12:02
Good piece mate – Keane, Cantona he is not….but he sure is a useful squad man who rarely/never lets us down and just now and then comes up with something to get us singing. He’ll do me.
October 25th, 2007 at 12:04
When Johny goes Marching down the wing
O’Shea, O’Shea
When Johny goes Marching down the wing
O’Shea, O’Shea,
When Johnny goes marching down the wing,
The Stretford End will stand and sing,
We all know that Johnny’s gunna’ score!
October 25th, 2007 at 12:09
Yup must say utility players like O’Shea who can play in a variety of positions is always good. He also played in goal last season if I’m not mistaken and made a half decent save.
He knows that although he is not first choice he will be given a chance in the team when other players suffer from injuries and bad form.
Compare that to a player like gallas who had a place in the chelski team just that it wasn’t his preferred position so he was threatening to score an own goal.
O’Shea you might be a liverpool supporter but we still love you!!!
October 25th, 2007 at 14:20
It is true that O’ Shea will never fill the boots of Keane or Scholes but he is a useful man to have when the team is winning and need to keep possession.
Alex Ferguson is not foolish and he must have seen certain qualities in O’Shea to keep him in the squad for so long.
October 25th, 2007 at 14:27
I think it’s proven from the demise of Real Madrid’s galacticos that a team can’t consist of only star players. Players like O’Shea is every bit as vital to our cause of winning everything that we are competing in. He’s more than a utility man..he’s a key player to the team in my opinion. Hurrah for players like Sheashy. Honest, down to earth, hardworking. =)
October 25th, 2007 at 14:50
isnt he the only player in man utd to ever have played from back to front? striker, midfielder, right back, centre back, left back, goalie.
only leaves the left and right wing… haha i was laughing all the way thru the last minutes of the game when he played as a keeper.
October 25th, 2007 at 15:35
Utility man sounds so bad. I’d like to refer to him as ‘All Rounder’.
We need players like him in our team just like we need players like Rooney.
Off the topic a bit… (I have a concern)…
I think our Physio’s should get the sack! It seems like it’s becomming a habit now for our players to get injured during training (or just before a match). It’s either that they are super/over fit, or there is a problem with our training methods.
Anyone knows the stats of how many players from other teams got injured in training just before games this year (compare to ours)?
[Red Ranter]
I don’t wat to rub it in, but you missed a Very Good game. If you saw the entire game, then I’m sure you would have fully understood why I am so on over Anderson
October 25th, 2007 at 15:36
perect article, it is great to see appreaciation to johnny…finally
October 25th, 2007 at 15:43
Wink, I think he played on the wings before. He never played striker yet. Now that would be something
Maybe Fergie should give him an outing for our last Euro group match (as a striker I mean).
October 25th, 2007 at 16:22
John, Wes, Darren are typical examples of United faithfuls. I remember Solksjaer saying he’d rather stay on the bench than go elsewhere. John is the same kind of player. These players play all positions whenever needed. Who said we needed traitor Gabby(Heinze). Players like these will always be respected by United fans even if they underperform sometimes. . . RESPECT John!
October 25th, 2007 at 16:43
He played striker for us against reading in the first game this season, what a legend he is, how he played at the best team in the world for so long with limited ability is testament to his selflessness and hardworking mentality.
October 25th, 2007 at 17:11
I’m extremely excited about Anderson as well. I was at the Wigan match and I was very surprised with the amount of work he put in. I saw him running across the pitch to make tackles and then show his passing ability for Tevez’s goal. Dare I say a Scholes who can tackle?
On the subject of O’Shea, people are always talking about him being the worst player on the team but when was the last time he actually made a mistake? As RR said he played 40 games last season and I can’t think of one where he was bad, and yet I can remember Rio against Pompey and Vida against Milan. He plays an important role and I think it’s time fans get off his back.
October 25th, 2007 at 17:19
of topix a bit,
a strange quote from sven:
“Of course I hope we can play in Europe nest season and you can do that by winning the Carling Cup or being six or seventh best in the league and both are difficult targets and you can always dream” the reason its strange is that a 1/4 of the season gone, their 3rd, 3 points ahead of scouserville, and a single point behind us, yet their aiming for uefa cup. heres the linky:
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_2824300,00.html
back to topic:
thats a bit un-fair on vida isnt it liam, he returned from injury, and the dirty argie played a crap ball to him.
and o’shea has played on the wing before, o’shea has played in every position(discounting an atacking mid position)
October 25th, 2007 at 17:33
I think the stick O’Shea gets sometimes is not neccesaraly directed at him but he is looked upon as a ‘negative’ substitution when he comes on in games. But how can scoring the winner at Liverpool after coming on as sub be negative!
Absolute legend.
October 25th, 2007 at 18:14
Could John O’Shea be anymore of a dream player for Fergie?
He comes in wherever he is needed and does a job as if he has played there for 15 years – including between the sticks.
He ay not pass the ball as well as Carrick or see as much as Scholes in midfield but he does a job there and he is adept enough as either full back position or in the heart of the defence if required.
Every team needs a player like John O’Shea and thankfully for United fans the John O’Shea is at Old Trafford.
October 25th, 2007 at 18:58
I love O’Shea. What he lacks in talent he makes up for with grit, heart, loyalty and determination. He has also scored some very big and very timely goals for us. He is also a better keeper than Paul Robinson. LOVE THE MAN!
October 25th, 2007 at 20:57
An excellent write up Redranter, O’Shea gets an awful lot of stock, most of it unfair. He does a good job when called on and has plugged many a gap over the years. If for no other reason he is worth his place in the squad because his versatility means that SAF (if he wishes) does not have to have more than 1 defender on the bench.
However when viewed over the course of his whole career the kindest thing I can say is wasted potential, a hell of a lot of it. O’Shea circa 2007 is not a patch on the young Irish lad who burst onto the scene in 2002/03. A guy who, in one of his first senior games, marked both Hasslebaink and Gudjohnsen out of the game. A player who nutmegged Figo and helped demolish Newcastle with his roving runs down the left wing. Finally, and most impressively for me, the 40 minute cameo against Juventus at OT, where a 20 year Irish lad, a centre back by trade, came on at left back and changed the pattern of the whole game against one of the best sides in Europe.
Unfortunately O’Shea, if rumours at the time were correct, was one of the main factors behind Keane’s Bentley and Rolex rant. His lack of commitment, workrate or whatever you want to call had a high price and it prevented him from building upon an exceptional debut season. Thankfully in the last couple of years he seems to have banished those daemons but the damage was done and I’m left wondering what might have been.
October 25th, 2007 at 21:05
Grognard: This might be of paticular interest to you, at half time (!) in the Spurs Uefa cup games the press has broken the story that a severance package has been agreed with Martin Jol. ITV are reporting this as well but have received no confirmation as yet.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/football/article2741245.ece
October 25th, 2007 at 21:09
John O’Shea and Darren Fletcher are the reason we are Champions again. Of course we have gobs of young talent, but these guys bridge the gaps.
October 25th, 2007 at 21:38
Thanks JB for the link regarding Jol. It’s not like we didn’t see it coming. In Ramos I think Spurs are getting another gutless Spanish manager similar to MR RAFA THE ONBOLIEBABLE ONE. Ramos is a good coach of defensive and rigid tactics that will make Spurs competitive once there is a turnover of players. What they will never be is entertaining. I hate these kind of pedestrian visionaries who implement gutless and uncreative strategies in order to squeak out tight low scoring results. BOOOOORRRRRRING! It’s too bad for Spurs they couldn’t convince Klinsmann to come in and give the whole organization a complete makeover. But that is probably why they never hired him. He would demand complete control. That is why Chelski never got him. It will be interesting to see how Spurs progress.
As far as O’Shea goes I really feel his early performances were an overachieving sign of things to come. Personally I don’t think he had as much potential as you claim. Then again you are Irish and would have a better insight to the player so please feel free to correct me on that. I just think that he is one of the the best role players we have had and yes MANTD9TITLES, he is a legend at bridging gaps. But like I said before, he has a sense of timing when it comes to scoring big goals or big plays. Never let him go Fergie.
October 25th, 2007 at 21:47
giggs11egend FTW.
nah nah nahhh nahhh,HEY, nah nah nahhh nahhh, HO, way hay hay GOODBYE
nah nah nahhh nahhh,HEY, nah nah nahhh nahhh, HO, way hay hay GOODBYE
October 25th, 2007 at 22:06
This has nothing to do with O’Shea but I have to share it with those I was conversing with yesterday about young talent to chase. Toni Kroos has come of the bench late in the game at Red Star and saved Bayern with absolutely sublime set piece cross into Miro Klose for a goal to tie the game. There is five minutes left but this kid has WOWED me once again with his Beckhamesque ability to place long ball on teammates heads or feet in the box. And he’s supposed to be a goal scorer. I love Bayern Munich but even I say the following to Fergie.
Break the bank to get this young man because he is something special and he will be the true Renaissance of the German National team for years to come.
October 25th, 2007 at 22:09
OH MY GOD! Bayern are in Kroos Control as Toni Kroos has just one the game for Munich with a free kick in injury time. It totally fooled the defense and keeper. Not a classic but still, this kid is a God waiting to happen. He’s already an apostle.
October 25th, 2007 at 22:14
I think your being quite harsh on Ramos there Grognard. I don’t know if you watch much La Liga but I found Sevilla in the last couple of years to be a fairly entertaining side to watch under Ramos. They’re maybe not the most expansive side in the world but I wouldn’t call them excessively defensive either. In 05/06 they were the fourth highest scorers with the seventh highest aggregate goal tally in their matches. As an aside it is interesting to note that one of the best footballing performances I remember in the CL in the past decade was Valencia, under Rafa, away to Liverpool, an absolute masterclass in pass and move football.
On O’Shea I have no extra insight being Irish (or Northern Irish, I don’t mind either way but be careful if you are ever talking to N.I people, some may not take too kindly to being called Irish). He came onto the scene very quickly as prior to 02/03 he had been restricted to a couple of low profile league cup games and a spell at Antwerp. Whether 02/03 was a purple patch of form or overachievement is down to personal opinion but I have to disagree that this is the case. It is bizarre though that a player who was so comfortable and composed on the ball in his first season has developed into one who looks so clumsy and ungainly at times.
October 25th, 2007 at 22:32
Grognard…. i agree with you about this toni kroos…. saw some of his performances in the U-17 world cup and i cant get enuf of this lad now!!!! too bad he’s outta bayern’s youth system though, any other club and we might have had a realistic chance…..
October 25th, 2007 at 22:58
Sorry JB. Of course I meant no insult. In North America and Irishman is an Irishman no matter what side of the border he comes from. Over here we have Irish pubs not Republic of Irish pubs or Northern Irish pubs, so perhaps you can understand my slip up better.
As for Ramos, I have watched many Sevilla games here in Canada as we get great coverage of LaLiga. Yes they score some goals but entertaining they are not. They are a plodding pedestrian side that has few skill players and a great goal scorer. That doesn’t mean they can’t have success. I just hate boring football. Goals are not everything. If we were to judge the entertainment factor of football on goals alone then the game deserves all the laughs and insults it receives by most Americans and the US media. Goals are not everything and Sevilla in the 15 games or so that I have watched of them play in LaLiga and the half dozen I’ve seen in the CL are simply a counter attacking side with little imagination. And I detest that pink away kit. What a bunch of puffers!
And there is no way you will convince me on the quality of RAF THE ROTATOR. He is a total wanker. That game with Valencia and Liverpool is a rare event and should not be judged as a rarity which is what it was. Rafa’s Valencia played better football than Sevilla and look what Liverpool has been offering us of late. Even those Scousers have given us a few master classes over the past three years. But most of the time it’s just plodding and uninspired football.
I also agree with you SAMG about Kroos. He will soon be crowned Germany’s latest and greatest golden boy and Bayern will not sell him for all the tea in China unless he has a major drop off in form, or gets injured. But his ability to cross from set pieces, pass accurately and cross on the run, not to mention score goals is just what United could use. They have no aerial game and he would create one whether the recipient was great in the air or not. His winning goal tonight was a low set piece from 30 yards out that was low and bending into the box. Two or three players could have tapped it in for a goal but they all just missed it. It was so well placed that even without the tap in it found its way in the far side. A little lucky but the placement was the key. His first cross to Klose for the tying goal was just perfection.
And once again Miro Klose has proven why he is the best natural striker in Europe. The man knows how to play inside the box and has the instinct to get to a ball. He’s also the best header of all strikers. I still believe that the best header on the planet is a healthy and properly utilized Michael Ballack. Today I read that even Drogba believes that Ballack should have chosen United. Three cheers for stupidity and poor judgment. And I bet that Gareth Bale also wishes today that he had chosen United over Spurs. Suffer you ill advised but super talented Welsh tosser.
October 26th, 2007 at 0:32
[JB]
Saw your comment on the last post regarding the use of smilies. Well, this link might help you out. It has a list of smilies one can use on this site. Basically, you need to put one of those codes given in the list and voila, you have a smiley magically created for you. So go ahead, and put an end to all ambiguity!
October 26th, 2007 at 7:44
i remember oshea running down the left flank in his early manutd days.
i thought then,that he is a left back.Maybe he hasn’t fullfilled his
potential because he didn’t have regular starts.Nevertheless,he is a
managers dream player.
October 26th, 2007 at 11:02
Guys, what happened to Podolsky? Isn’t he still at Bayern. If so, does this mean that Krose and Podolsky are fighting it out for a place on the bench? Perhaps there is an opportunity to pounch?
October 26th, 2007 at 17:00
Karl; Podolski is still at Bayern and has his ass firmly glued to the bench. He is not competing with Kroos for playing time because they do not play the same position. Who he is competing with and losing big time to is Luca Toni and Germany teammate Miro Klose. Also Jan Schlaudraff is fighting him for the the substitute striker position. Podolski was injured for a long time and when he returned last year he didn’t play well and found himself in Felix Magath’s doghouse. Things haven’t improved since while another injury slowed him down and he got very little work done before the season started. He played yesterday in the UEFA Cup game against Red Star and although his work rate was good, he looked like a player fighting his confidence. Twice he had great chances to score and he passed off.
I think his time at Bayern is running out. Even Bayern understand that a talent like him needs to find a permanent place as a starter to regain his health, confidence and form. With Toni and Klose playing like gods, that won’t be happening anytime soon. So I see him moving to a smaller Bundesliga team by next season. Man Utd probably would like this player as a strong striker with similar qualities to the ones they have, but Podolski is not good coming off the bench, and although he can certainly challenge Tevez when 100%, why take the chance. He’s a shadow of the player that was dominating for Germany at the World Cup. He needs time to rebuild his form and health before I’d take a chance on him. Also, he won’t come cheap despite his problems because of his overrated World Cup pedigree and because Bayern spent a mint to get him from Cologne.
October 26th, 2007 at 18:19
I think Podolski was signed for something like the 12m euro mark so maybe if we match that then we can get him but IMO he is another drop deep player but still for that price I wouldn’t complain.
October 26th, 2007 at 18:46
Don’t worry Grognard, no skin off my nose. Unfortunately in our little country not everyone shares that attitude. There are plenty of Unionists/Republicans who would strongly object to being called Irish/British. Northern Irish is a nice catch all term that it is hard to object to. And there ends the political lesson for today!
October 27th, 2007 at 1:23
Liam; Trust me when I say that nobody on this blog is a bigger Germany or Bayern supporter or fan than myself. I love Poldi and I think the lad has lots of potential but he has stagnated ever since the end of the World Cup. His debut with Bayern was pretty poor and he ended up on the sub’s bench. Then he got injured. Again he got injured this season. Knee problems seem to follow him. The big problem is that he is so down and lacking confidence that his form has really suffered. nd even when he was at his very best he suffered from not be aggressive enough as a striker should. He likes to play too much outside of the 18 yard box (does that remind you of two other guys?) and he doesn’t show up in enough scoring positions as he should. To me he is a closet attacking left-midfielder. He is the last thing we need. Like I said before, I love the kid but our needs are different.
What we need to change the pace of a game and the approach is a true out and out old fashioned striker who lives, eats and sleeps in the box and who is strong in the air. Why? Because it changes the dynamic of a team and causes confusion with defenses when he comes on as a sub. This is why I will never understand the idiot Benitez and why he doesn’t play Crouch more late in games. This is why I am the number one advocate for Huntelaar. The problem is that once here, he will sulk if he doesn’t start and too be honest he is good enough to deserve it. So we have to find someone who is not on everyone’s radar and who can fill the role of super sub. Hey, how bout Crouch? Like that will ever happen. Another young player I like is playing for Leverkusen. His name is Stefan Kiesling. Tall and lanky and young. He has lots of potential and I think he would welcome a few years as a sub. There are others in Europe too. Red Star Belgrade have striker who is quite and possess a lethal left and right foot. His name is Ognjen Koroman. Actually he scored a great goal yesterday against Bayern. The list goes on and on. But for me Podolski is not the answer.
Jeez, I’d give my right teeth for the Danish kid at Arsenal Bendtner. He’s exactly what the doctor ordered and he is number 5 on the Arsenal depth chart as a striker behind van Persie, Adebayor, Walcott and da Silva. We on the other hand have that kind of depth all across midfield. Here’s a pipe dream to mull over. Wenger has claimed to have been interested in Saha in the past. Well give him Saha for Bendtner. I told you it was a pipe dream
October 27th, 2007 at 23:44
Thanks for the Podolski info Grognard.
I think Crouch would be perfect for us. He will provide a different dimension to our game.
I’m not really a big fan of him, but I do believe he will add value. But, if Fergie wanted him, I’m sure he would have made a plan during the Heinze saga. Pity though.
October 28th, 2007 at 21:20
Karl; I don’t know if you will read this old a post but I’ll make my feeling on Crouch known.
I think that Peter Crouch is a very talent, highly skilled, very misunderstood and highly underrated performer. In fact I would say that football managers and media alike have shown a disturbing pattern of discrimination against this lad because of his height and somewhat awkward style. All he does is score goals when given a half decent chance to play.
Having said that, he is all wrong for United team of today because of the team they have mutated in to. They are no longer the 1994 or 1999 team that played the ball long and crossed in to the box. Height doesn’t seem to be the requirement anymore. Now it is pace, quick feet and tremendous skill on the ball at full speed. Crouch is highly skilled but he does not move as well as Rooney and Tevez and their pace and interchanging movement is not suited for him. Also, United don’t cross the ball into the box as often. As a sub they may alter the game to accommodate that change in style but I doubt it. It doesn’t suit the kind of players we have today. So NO, Crouch does not fit. That said, he is good enough to start for 15 other EPL teams as well as Liverpool. Unfortunately he is stuck with RAFA who hasn’t got a clue about anything to do with football.