Richard Dunne

[Neil Young]

The BBC were reporting yesterday that Spurs were considering making a bid for him in January so possibly ending his "Manchester City nightmare". I've obviously missed something but what 'nightmare' are they talking about?

I'm assuming they aren't talking about the nightmare he had on Sunday against, um, Spurs.

[Shaggy]

Haven't seen anything from the weekend but his form has dropped off dramatically. Last season I went to their place and he put in a majestic performance against Torres.

[Neil Young]

Ah thanks, I hadn't noticed.

It's really worth seeing his Bramble-like performance on Sunday if you get the chance. He was hilariously bad.

[Kenneth]

Always thougth he was a very average who had a very good game every now and then. Perfect for Spurs I guess.

[MrsB]

Nightmare is a bit harsh.

Manchester City boss Mark Hughes backs beleaguered captain Richard Dunne

By David Mcdonnell 11/11/2008

Mark Hughes leapt to the defence of Richard Dunne after the Manchester City skipper's latest gaffe plunged the club into crisis.

City are reeling from a third straight Premier League defeat.

And Dunne, who has already scored two own goals this season, was at fault for Tottenham's equaliser as Harry Redknapp's side came from behind to beat the Blues 2-1 at Eastlands on Sunday.

It was the latest in a series of poor performances from Dunne, who has become something of a liability for City this term - despite being named their player of the year for the past four campaigns.

Boss Hughes is himself under pressure after just one win in seven matches, a horror run which has plunged City to within a point of the relegation zone.

But the Welshman insisted Dunne's first-team place is safe - for now at least.

"People will highlight all the recent situations and the goals we've conceded in which Richard has been involved," said Hughes.

"But people forget how many times he has saved this team - not just this season but in the past. He's still in credit in respect of the times he has saved us.

"It's just a spell he's going through, he'll come through it. He's a strong character and I have no worries in that particular respect.

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"It was a poor goal from our point of view, but the conditions played a part. The ball went straight under Richard's foot and we weren't able to recover. It was one of those things."

Despite Hughes' faith in Dunne, City have one of the worst defensive records in the Premier League this season, with only West Ham, Blackburn and Newcastle having conceded more.

And although City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak yesterday reiterated his faith in Hughes, the patience of City's new mega-rich Arab owners - who have a grand vision for the club - is being tested by the current poor run of results.

While Hughes' job is not understood to be under immediate threat, failure to reverse the current malaise would see his position come under serious scrutiny in the new year, with City's owners possessing the financial clout able to recruit any boss in the world.

"We are calm and under control and we on the board have the highest regard for Mark," said Al Mubarak. "I am personally committed to him as I am committed to the partnership between executive chairman Garry Cook, Mark and myself.

"This is a winning team that's going through a learning curve right now.

"While January is going to be an interesting opportunity for Mark to improve the team, this is an exciting 10-year dynasty that we are building and we are only in the first two months.

"I'm committed to Mark and his team and I think people will see in January that we have good foundations in place in the team, we have a good coach and that we will be upgrading in terms of players. Hopefully, the results will come."

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[Marky]

He's bounced back from worse before so i'm sure he'll bounce back from what is nothing more than a dip in form.
He's quality.

[Chris]

He has been horrendous this season, truly woeful. The fans are on his back bigtime aswell, I assume thats the "nightmare".

He should console himself with the fact there will always be a worse Irish centre back with the diabolical Paul McShane still about.

[Tee]

He has been horrendous this season, truly woeful. The fans are on his back bigtime aswell, I assume thats the "nightmare".

He should console himself with the fact there will always be a worse Irish centre back with the diabolical Paul McShane still about.

Yes, Dunne is criminally overrated IMO. Has a good game every now and then but is prone to Bramblesque disasters.

As for McShane, always watch him for a good laugh. Probably the worst 'footballer' I have seen in the PL since it begun.

[wiw]

bit harsh on him really, the players in front of him aren't exactly helping

[Parm]

Thought he has been outstanding for the past 2/3 yrs, really pulled his career back on track.

[Neil Young]

Nightmare is a bit harsh.

You think so? Well OK although it's not just that he was at fault for the first goal but that his blunder was so funny. Possibly conditions didn't help him at all but he looked so inept. And then he got sent off.

I'm sure I noticed at least one other balls-up he made but it escapes me now.

[Joe King]

Credit to him for losing weight over the years but man, he has had a stinker of the past couple of games. A few own goals, bad decision making, lack of leadership and communication. The fact that he is with a novice in Micah Richards doesn't help and he seems to have lost at least 18 yards of pace since last year.

[dww]

Thought he has been outstanding for the past 2/3 yrs, really pulled his career back on track.

He has regressed badly this season though.

[MrsB]

You think so? Well OK although it's not just that he was at fault for the first goal but that his blunder was so funny. Possibly conditions didn't help him at all but he looked so inept. And then he got sent off.

I'm sure I noticed at least one other balls-up he made but it escapes me now.

Well, he's not been on great form, but I don't think that he has to be rescued by Spurs.