O'SHEA LOOKING TO SETTLE DOWN

Last updated : 09 March 2003 By Editor

"It's gone well for me. I've only started playing there this season but I played there when I was maybe 10 or 12 years old. I never thought I would be a full-back with United, but I am glad I am in the team and I will play anywhere so long as I am in the first 11.

Each of the back four roles has been his this season and he feels his versatility is paying dividends.

"That is the major factor. The more chances you have to get in the team the better, but over time I think you would definitely want to stamp down a position. Where that will be I don't really know yet, and nobody else does either, so we will have to wait and see. "

BE HALF AS GOOD AS ME AND YOU’RE DOING ALRIGHT

Paul McGrath extols John O’Shea’s virtues but wants him to be a bit nastier

"John is so sure-footed that he wouldn't look out of place in midfield, and being a big man he should be able to put himself about a bit.


"The only thing I haven't seen John do is start hammering into a few people, and being the size he is, it is something I would like to see him start doing soon.

"I want to see him show he is not afraid of anyone. But he has tremendous skill too."

O'Shea has played right across the back four with tremendous success this season, as well as trying out a midfield role - but McGrath feels that in the near future he will be able to take his pick of positions.

"John's best position is all over the park. The only thing I would worry about is that he might get classed as a utility player," he adds.

"But I think he is so good in all positions that he deserves to own his own position.

"With the ability he has, I can see a day in the future where Alex will be asking him: `Where do you fancy playing today?' and John will have his pick! Personally I would like to see him as a centre half - he is a big, strong lad but so commanding and cool on the ball.

"His only problem at the moment is that because he can step into any position, there could be a temptation to put him on the bench to cover for various players."


"Although he had only played three or four games for Ireland at that stage, he had not put a foot wrong, and the defence is an area that, while not weak, needs strengthening for Ireland," he said.

"But John can go on to do whatever he wants - he will make that Ireland position his own."

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