Richard Dunne

[johnc]

http://www.balls.ie/2012/09/06/happy-richard-dunne-day/

I hope you are all celebrating.

[Rigadon]

It looks like Dunne is the latest player whose reputation is starting to benefit from not being in the team. To call him 'one of the best when in form' would put him alongside the likes of Vidic or Komapny. He is well short of that.

Alongside his mistakes, he also has the cross to bear of being one of O'Neill's signature signings. Competent I guess, but what an opportunity wasted for the money he cost. He is now one of the decreasing number in the current squad that represents a time better left behind us.

In truth, he was past his sell-by date as a player and as a professional before we even bought him.

Who knows what Lambert thinks, but I'd rate him 4th choice centre back right now.

I's say it's far more fashionable to slag Dunne off actually.  'Fat' etc.  As Nick Harper says, he's a quality player who will get back in the team ahead of Clark at centre half.  If he's focused I'd say he'll be there all season.  He's been one part brilliant for us and one part average, so I think the slagging he gets sometimes is unwarranted - maybe it is something to do with him being a MON signing though, who knows? 

[QBVILLA]

It looks like Dunne is the latest player whose reputation is starting to benefit from not being in the team. To call him 'one of the best when in form' would put him alongside the likes of Vidic or Komapny. He is well short of that.

Alongside his mistakes, he also has the cross to bear of being one of O'Neill's signature signings. Competent I guess, but what an opportunity wasted for the money he cost. He is now one of the decreasing number in the current squad that represents a time better left behind us.

In truth, he was past his sell-by date as a player and as a professional before we even bought him.

Who knows what Lambert thinks, but I'd rate him 4th choice centre back right now.

I's say it's far more fashionable to slag Dunne off actually.  'Fat' etc.  As Nick Harper says, he's a quality player who will get back in the team ahead of Clark at centre half.  If he's focused I'd say he'll be there all season.  He's been one part brilliant for us and one part average, so I think the slagging he gets sometimes is unwarranted - maybe it is something to do with him being a MON signing though, who knows? 

Spot on

[Lsvilla]

He was finished for me after the 'team bonding' incident and I would much prefer to go with Vlaar plus Clark or Baker as I believe they will better play the PL way

[LeeB]

It looks like Dunne is the latest player whose reputation is starting to benefit from not being in the team. To call him 'one of the best when in form' would put him alongside the likes of Vidic or Komapny. He is well short of that.

Alongside his mistakes, he also has the cross to bear of being one of O'Neill's signature signings. Competent I guess, but what an opportunity wasted for the money he cost. He is now one of the decreasing number in the current squad that represents a time better left behind us.

In truth, he was past his sell-by date as a player and as a professional before we even bought him.

Who knows what Lambert thinks, but I'd rate him 4th choice centre back right now.

I's say it's far more fashionable to slag Dunne off actually.  'Fat' etc.  As Nick Harper says, he's a quality player who will get back in the team ahead of Clark at centre half.  If he's focused I'd say he'll be there all season.  He's been one part brilliant for us and one part average, so I think the slagging he gets sometimes is unwarranted - maybe it is something to do with him being a MON signing though, who knows? 

He's been one part good and two parts terrible in my book.

He's rash, lacks concentration and there's been talk of his eating and drinking issues since Everton fucked him off as a kid.

He's on the way down, and is not good enough to warrant giving a shirt ahead of Baker or Clark.

Use only in case of emergency.

[QBVILLA]

He was finished for me after the 'team bonding' incident and I would much prefer to go with Vlaar plus Clark or Baker as I believe they will better play the PL way

Team bonding exercise incidents don't interest me.Besides that was under the reign of Houllier, a man who fell out publicly down the years with Ginola,Cantona and Fowler. Following the fall out with Dunne there were a number of Dunne's ex managers who came out and spoke very highly of the man. My opinion is that Dunne is our best defender and his experience is a real asset in a squad which is in the majority inexperienced at teh top level. Sure he's had bad games and he's made mistakes but that is true of every footballer.Difference is the fans are more forgiving of their favourites than they are of others. The likes of Angel were afforded hero welcomes even when not producing week after week whereas the likes of Gabby, Barry and Petrov have taken some real stick in recent seasons for a poor performance. For me it's a new regime and what's gone beforehand means very little.Lambert will pick his side based on merit and that to me is great.

[LeeB]

My guess is he'll get fit(ish), find himself on the sidelines, fall out with Lambert as a result and be training on his own by Christmas.

[paul_e]

It looks like Dunne is the latest player whose reputation is starting to benefit from not being in the team. To call him 'one of the best when in form' would put him alongside the likes of Vidic or Komapny. He is well short of that.

Alongside his mistakes, he also has the cross to bear of being one of O'Neill's signature signings. Competent I guess, but what an opportunity wasted for the money he cost. He is now one of the decreasing number in the current squad that represents a time better left behind us.

In truth, he was past his sell-by date as a player and as a professional before we even bought him.

Who knows what Lambert thinks, but I'd rate him 4th choice centre back right now.

I's say it's far more fashionable to slag Dunne off actually.  'Fat' etc.  As Nick Harper says, he's a quality player who will get back in the team ahead of Clark at centre half.  If he's focused I'd say he'll be there all season.  He's been one part brilliant for us and one part average, so I think the slagging he gets sometimes is unwarranted - maybe it is something to do with him being a MON signing though, who knows? 

For me I don't care who signed him or who he played for, I don't recall ever calling him fat (unfit i have said).  He is what he is, a guy with the potential to be a very good central defender but with flaws which have always stopped him reaching his peak.  Given his disciplinary issues at the club (I don't care who the manager is or how many other people they've fallen out with, you don't get pissed and abuse a club legend on a trip designed to improve morale) and his ongoing fitness problems I don't think he adds enough beyond Baker or Clark to justify being picked ahead of them.

[gervilla]

When fit, I'd have him in before Clark.
I've not been impressed with him at centre back.

[not3bad]

From the "Team to play Swansea" thread...

[Paul Lambert] asseses players as the training week goes on. And makes decisions based on various criteria. Attitude, effort, body language and hunger ......

This will apply to Richard Dunne as it applies to everyone else.

Of course he won't have much problem with the hunger!  Boom! Boom!

[lordmcgrath5]

Is there really any need for that dig in the thread title? Quite pathetic.

It's not as if he's respected his condition in the past is it?  Pissed up on a club trip & abusing younger players, clearly overweight, when he starts respecting himself & his responsibilities I'm sure others will follow suit.

All points worth bearing in mind. What galled me at the time was that in the midst of all this unprofessional behaviour, he was playing with all the balance and grace of a one-legged duck. And at the same time dishing out all sorts of advice to the management team about where they were going wrong.

A very good player when he's on form, though, I'll certainly give him that.

[Rigadon]

It looks like Dunne is the latest player whose reputation is starting to benefit from not being in the team. To call him 'one of the best when in form' would put him alongside the likes of Vidic or Komapny. He is well short of that.

Alongside his mistakes, he also has the cross to bear of being one of O'Neill's signature signings. Competent I guess, but what an opportunity wasted for the money he cost. He is now one of the decreasing number in the current squad that represents a time better left behind us.

In truth, he was past his sell-by date as a player and as a professional before we even bought him.

Who knows what Lambert thinks, but I'd rate him 4th choice centre back right now.

I's say it's far more fashionable to slag Dunne off actually.  'Fat' etc.  As Nick Harper says, he's a quality player who will get back in the team ahead of Clark at centre half.  If he's focused I'd say he'll be there all season.  He's been one part brilliant for us and one part average, so I think the slagging he gets sometimes is unwarranted - maybe it is something to do with him being a MON signing though, who knows? 

For me I don't care who signed him or who he played for, I don't recall ever calling him fat (unfit i have said).  He is what he is, a guy with the potential to be a very good central defender but with flaws which have always stopped him reaching his peak.  Given his disciplinary issues at the club (I don't care who the manager is or how many other people they've fallen out with, you don't get pissed and abuse a club legend on a trip designed to improve morale) and his ongoing fitness problems I don't think he adds enough beyond Baker or Clark to justify being picked ahead of them.

The fat thing, I wasn't aiming that your way as such.  If his attitude was good he'd still be at City in my opinion, he's as good as any centre half in the league on his day.

[Rigadon]

It looks like Dunne is the latest player whose reputation is starting to benefit from not being in the team. To call him 'one of the best when in form' would put him alongside the likes of Vidic or Komapny. He is well short of that.

Alongside his mistakes, he also has the cross to bear of being one of O'Neill's signature signings. Competent I guess, but what an opportunity wasted for the money he cost. He is now one of the decreasing number in the current squad that represents a time better left behind us.

In truth, he was past his sell-by date as a player and as a professional before we even bought him.

Who knows what Lambert thinks, but I'd rate him 4th choice centre back right now.

I's say it's far more fashionable to slag Dunne off actually.  'Fat' etc.  As Nick Harper says, he's a quality player who will get back in the team ahead of Clark at centre half.  If he's focused I'd say he'll be there all season.  He's been one part brilliant for us and one part average, so I think the slagging he gets sometimes is unwarranted - maybe it is something to do with him being a MON signing though, who knows? 

He's been one part good and two parts terrible in my book.

He's rash, lacks concentration and there's been talk of his eating and drinking issues since Everton fucked him off as a kid.

He's on the way down, and is not good enough to warrant giving a shirt ahead of Baker or Clark.

Use only in case of emergency.

LeeB, can't agree about Baker and Clark being better centre halves, they've hardly played there long enough for a start, so how do we know?  Dunne, for all his misdemeanours, has shown over the course of a longish career that he's capable of playing to a high standard in this division.  Clark and Baker are our possible future, Dunne still has a part to play I reckon. 

[nick harper]

We all get a bit dewy eyed about Clark because he's come through the youth team and has some potential, but he lacks pace and strength at centre half. He will continue to be found out by the better sides. He's too slow to play left back and is just anonymous in midfield. He's been around a while now - under a progressive manager, this is a big season for him.

Dunne has been a bit up and down over his time a Villa but we always look better at the back when he plays. Wouldn't surprise me if he was captain when he returns.

[Dave Cooper please]

We all get a bit dewy eyed about Clark because he's come through the youth team and has some potential, but he lacks pace and strength at centre half.

Pace isn't essential at centre-half, God was hardly a speed merchant was he? Strength, timing of the tackle, heading ability and the ability to read a game are the essentials and, without being dewey-eyed, I reckon Clarke has 3 out of 4 of them already and he can build on the strength.
 I have very high hopes for Ciaran, he will be a star.