Dunne in bust up with Houllier & McAllister on Friday - NOTW

[Lizz]

Brad Freidel is one of the summarisers on Radio 5 today, and he was asked about the alleged bust up. His diplomatic response was that he wasn't aware of anything, didn't see anything etc. It's also Stephen Warnock's birthday today apparently, and Friedel didn't know that but said something about seeing him later on tonight.

[PaulWinch again]

I do think Dunne needs to look at himself. If he can get himself back into shape and put in performances like the majority of last season, he can be a great asset. That being said Carlos deserves to be in the team and was excellent yesterday.

[KevinGage]

I agree with some that people have short memories. From August to March he was absolutely sensational, and definitely better than Laursen. I loved Laursen, but people have over-estimated quite how good he was. He used to get caught out positionally quite a lot, and we never had a great defensive record with him in the side.

Dunne has always had downturns in form like this. I agree it's not acceptable, but if we can kick him up the arse and get him playing like last season we'll be much better off.

I don't think it's short memories that's the issue.

Most would acknowledge that he was outstanding for us last year, but how long can you trade on past reputation?

I think even someone as venerated as McGrath would have struggled to hold down a place in the side if he'd shown the kind of form Dunne has consistently served up since August -regardless of what had gone before.

One decent season doesn't entitle you to come into pre season, coast, eat your way into oblivion and stay in the team.

As Lee B said earlier, I also have concerns that he never really wanted to be here.

Press:  Why did you leave Manchester City?

Dunne: "Because they sold me."

He was fired up to stay in shape last summer as he wanted to be a part of their new era. Unfortunately that wasn't enough as Hughes and Cook deemed him surplus to requirements. We reaped the benefit initially of a player in good shape and motivated to prove his old club wrong.

Now the fire's gone and he's content enough just to drift.

[avfcpg]

I wonder if his thought of "dated" training sessions means more running and fitness and that's what Dunne doesn't like..

My understanding was that GH wanted us to play more possession football. To do that you have to pass and move, continually be on the move, make yourself available...therefore we needed to be fitter as a squad....hence the fitness coach and extra sessions. Fitness is not exactly a good old fashioned centre half's ideal...

If there is any truth in it then Dunne needs to (a) get fit and shed a few (b) start performing to last seasons standard (c) go and get some coaches badges before spouting off what he thinks is dated and doesn't suit. You're a professional athlete paid massive sums of money a week. Look after yourself for fecks sake...

[Shrek]

I'm sorry but Laursen is twice the player Dunne has ever been.

Dunne was good last season with a CB playing rightback for cover.

Dunne made a few mistakes last year and got caught out a few times positionally.


And just a point, how come we should 'remember' Dunne's good performances when his performances have been disgraceful but we don't give Carew the same respect?

Just a thought as they have been equally shite this season.

[olaftab]

Would I be correct in assuming it is still a filthy cheap sunday rag,

It's not cheap anymore!

[olaftab]

Interesting..

Unfortunately I wasn’t at the game yesterday, but BBC 5Live presenter was saying this morning that we scored our first goal Collins went over to McAllister and had a real go at him. 

Unsubstantiated so….   Anyone else see this?  What’s going on?

This happened right in front of me (I sit behind the dugouts). Collins did not have a "right go" at G-Mac. However, he was quite animated and seemed to be forthrightly putting across his point.

This was not long after Collins and Warnock had been turned inside out by the Baggies' winger, so I guess he was asking for more defensive help from Stewie.

I agree with this. I was looking  right at them whlist the othere players celebrated  the goal. It was nothing  other than Collins taking water and  asking and being given instrucions.

[dave.woodhall]

I seem to remember Dunne starting to decline towards the end of last season. He was a decent player then, but to put him in the Southgate/Mellberg/Larsen class is just not on. Shaun Teale, maybe.

[RogerS]

Dont think I have looked at a copy of the News of the World in quite a while.

Would I be correct in assuming it is still a filthy cheap sunday rag, serving up a diet of sensationalised non news and celebrity garbage for the ill educated and great unwashed of this country ? With their cheap uninformed politically dodgy views which pander to certain peoples intolerant uninformed bigotted and often racist outlook on life. Or for those who are incapable of forming any opinion (even a crap opinion) need to have the vacumn that leaves in their air head to be filled with stories about Katie & Peter or some bloody nonentity thats appeared from bloody nowhere on a progarmme like bloody X Factor or bloody Big Brother( oh god thank heavens at least thats bloody finished!) or whatever other stupid ridiculous bloody reality programme the TV people decide to serve up next to help fill all the bloody air time available from having 300 different bloody channels . Yes the News of the bloody World, crap rubbish news about a world of alco pop swigging ecstasy pill popping ill mannered loud brash celebrity wannabees who think the world owes them a living and they want it all and they want it all right now even though they havent got two brains cells between them to rub together to come up with one really good reason why they have ever done a single worthwhile thing in their empty bloody vacuous sad lives that would justify them having so much as the right to deserve the money in their pockets to as much as be able to buy a copy of the News of the bloody World in the first place.

No. Nasty little paper, Ive never liked it. And ive never believed a word its said either

Yes.

By the way, is your name 'Mr.Smoketoomuch' (Copyright: Eric Idle/Python)

[Toronto Villa]

I wonder if his thought of "dated" training sessions means more running and fitness and that's what Dunne doesn't like..

My understanding was that GH wanted us to play more possession football. To do that you have to pass and move, continually be on the move, make yourself available...therefore we needed to be fitter as a squad....hence the fitness coach and extra sessions. Fitness is not exactly a good old fashioned centre half's ideal...

If there is any truth in it then Dunne needs to (a) get fit and shed a few (b) start performing to last seasons standard (c) go and get some coaches badges before spouting off what he thinks is dated and doesn't suit. You're a professional athlete paid massive sums of money a week. Look after yourself for fecks sake...

For me Barcelona is the model for any team. Those players work harder than any I've seen in not only retaining the ball, but when they don't have it, working their collective bollocks off to get it back. If it isn't too big an ask for those "real" football superstars then it should be perfectly acceptable for everyone else.

[LeeB]

I seem to remember Dunne starting to decline towards the end of last season. He was a decent player then, but to put him in the Southgate/Mellberg/Larsen class is just not on. Shaun Teale, maybe.

That's a bit harsh.

Shaun Teale never once gave me reason to question his commitment and professionalism.

[Dante Lavelli]

I said after the Liverpool match that it was necessary for GH to upset a few people and break things in order to rebuild the team/squad with a better base.  At the time I doubted he had the balls to do it.

I hope this is the aftermath of that inquest and not - as the NOTW report - a player revolt.

[eastie]

Houllier has upped the training including afternmon sessions and I suspect many players maybe prefer getting away at 11 30 and having the day to themselves- good on houllier in that respect and the mirror are reporting the players held a meeting about houllier on wdnesday with the manager not allowed to attend.

Dunne , Ireland Carew and sidwell can all go in 3 weeks time for all I care- they are not good enough and should be made to train with the kids till they depart- the manager must keep control and I believe he will weed out the players he sees as not up to it!

[Rudy Can't Fail]

I wonder how much time Dunne has been spending with fellow Irishman, Stephen Ireland? Imagine having your ear bent continuously by Mr Miseryarse, add to that your own poor form, combined with a defence that were superb last season and now look a shambles. One thing that can't be denied is how poor our defence has been this season. You can't blame everything on Dunne or our injury problems.

Either way, there will only be one winner in this situation.

[Risso]

I seem to remember Dunne starting to decline towards the end of last season. He was a decent player then, but to put him in the Southgate/Mellberg/Larsen class is just not on. Shaun Teale, maybe.

That's a bit harsh.

Shaun Teale never once gave me reason to question his commitment and professionalism.

Teale was also a player for the big occasion, like the 94 league cup semi and final.