Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn has revealed the club are hopeful of agreeing a deal for Manchester United defender John O'Shea. The Black Cats have made a triple bid for O'Shea and United team-mates Darron Gibson and Wes Brown as they look to bolster their squad. United are ready to let the trio move on as they have slipped down the pecking order at Old Trafford. A number of other Premier League clubs have been credited with an interest in utility man O'Shea, but Quinn is optimistic he can lure his fellow Irishman to the Stadium of Light. "We are in there trying hard for John and will see if something can unravel. We feel it is getting closer." Niall Quinn on the pursuit of John O'Shea Quotes of the week "We are in there trying hard for John and will see if something can unravel. We feel it is getting closer," Quinn told the Irish Daily Mirror. "John had good family news in the last few days with the birth of his child. We've had to back off which is only correct. But the players are back in and we will see if something can unravel." Competition Arsenal and Stoke are both reported to be interested in O'Shea and Quinn is not surprised Sunderland face competition for the Republic of Ireland international. "There is interest, naturally. All you can do is make your own pitch but we would love if John chose us," added Quinn. Quinn admits there is still work to be done on luring Gibson to Wearside after holding talks with the midfielder. He continued: "That one is a little bit further away. We would certainly still like it to happen but we will have to see."
O'Shea is the one we want, the one that you can see offers most. Gibson would be canny for depth. Brown, IMO, is a waste of money.
O'Shea would be a good signing same stands for Gibson, but like most you guys we should stay well away from Brown
These three transfers are taking a while, and the long it goes, the more i have a feeling we won't get one or two of them.....
Gibson's reasons for leaving Man U were to get regular 1st team footy, with the signings in midfield we've already made not sure he'd be more than a rotational squad player though? Probably putting him off.
If he's not convinced he can make himself an integral part of the team given the competition we have for places, then do we want him?
Well, this is true as well. He should be confident, coming from United, that he can nail down a place here, and your spot on, if he ain't, are we getting the right mentality? My opinion is that Gardner is a better player overall, and will be the first choice in there with Colback/Catts/Meyler, so i can see the Gibson move falling through. I won't lose sleep if it does, and as i've said, if he signs, he's solid enough. Win/win?
Happy if we only get O`Shea. Totally agree re Gibson - like to see him but if he neither has the self-belief or the heart to fight for a first team place then he can keep someone else's bench warm for me. Would love to see Gibson as I reckon he`s a good player and would strengthen our squad, reckon he would start too once he shows us what he can do.
no seriously - think Gibson would find a place after a while - not sure who would lose out mind...Catts?
Agree with this as well, rather use the Brown money plus a few quid more to buy Johnson/Onouha/Samba/Dann/Evans etc
Think the problem was in your wording, but i think i see what you mean. You agree it doesn't look good that he fears he wouldn't start, but feel he would make himself first 11 if he took the plunge? Yeah? I don't know, i think Gardner is more mobile and offers more, and i don't think Gibson is as strong a ball winner as Catts, or has the overall class that Colback is developing. I think he's right to wonder about game time, as i don't think he'd be first choice, and i don't think he ever would be. Say the midfield 4 for Liverpool was Larsson, Colback, Gardner and Sess. Larsson, delivery and set plays. Colback, wins the ball, uses it, engine. Gardner, box to box, abilty to shoot from range, good short passing game. Sess, the class and creativity of the side. What/where does Gibson bring improvement? When Catts and Meyler are fit, they all offer more defensively, if the inability to shoot. I think he's struggling for games, personally.
I really cant see how Brown will be a waste of money. If its because he is injury prone surely a medical will determine that, if he comes and passes it, great, if he fails it then say no thank you. But Brown is the better player than the other 2, he can play CB and RB and is very good (maybe not world class but not far from it) at both positions, quick and a good ball winner and passer (wont just hoof it), O`Shea can play all over the back 4 and DM but for me he doesnt excell at any, dont get me wrong, he is in no way **** as another poster said on here the other day, but he doesnt excell at any position IMHO.
The only thing i can see Gibson being used for is a good back up to Gardner. Gibson can score goals from midfield but as someone has previously posted, Gardner offers more.
Dear Mr Beak - You agree it doesn't look good that he fears he wouldn't start, but feel he would make himself first 11 if he took the plunge? Yeah? Yep - think he would, not from the start of the season, but over time would ease Colback out IMO - think he (Gibson) needs some game time which should allow his ability to be shown... All in all though - if he doesn`t want to fight for a place, thinks it ought to be his by rights then (as said before) he can sit on someone else's bench - only want those who want to fight for the cause
The reason's i think he is a waste of money : - 1) Injury prone. 2) Only a little above average. 3) No resale value. The money (£4million ish?), is half of a younger, potentially superior defender (Johnson, Samba), we should grab O'Shea, and move on to wing backs, and if we insist on another CB, it should be a younger hungrier player, with scope to a) improve and b) increase in value. IMO, of course..
