Joe Gamble

**livehead1** · 17/05/2007, 12:38 PM

Originally Posted by TonyD

I would love it if Gamble told Staunton where to shove his call up. Face it, he has NO chance of being involved when the serious business starts in the Autumn. Dodge may not have been quoting Stan verbatim, but the essence of his attitude is summed up pretty nicely by the "quote" I thought. Of course it's such a great "honour" for Gamble, there's no chance of that happening.

why should he reject it? he's a second rate footballer playing in a second rate league. this could be his oppurtunity in his eyes to prove that he is good enough to play in england ( which realistically is what the vast majority of EL players want to do). he wouldn't have expected to be in the first squad.

I wouldn't have him anywhere near the squad, its a farce to think hes involved when theres footballers of Owen Garvan's talent not even making our u21's

**GavinZac** · 17/05/2007, 12:56 PM

Originally Posted by livehead1

why should he reject it? he's a second rate footballer playing in a second rate league.

and you've seen either in action?

he wouldn't have expected to be in the first squad.

he complained publicly about not being included in the first draft.

hows the second rate gaelic football going in nottingham?

**Shelsman** · 17/05/2007, 1:04 PM

Dermot Keely suggests that Roy O'Donovan should have been called up instead -I'd love to see him in an Ireland squad but when you look at the revised squad below there's already 5 strikers there, so it would be difficult to give them all a game ( e.g. first game, start with two strikers, replace both with subs, still leaves 1 striker not getting a game for the first match ). I would assume he'd like to keep the some similarity in the line out for the two friendlies. I don't see any lack of quality in the forwards he's selected. HOWEVER there is a distinct lack of wingers ( just two really if Kilbane plays in the centre ) I would call up another winger and another central midfielder.

Suggestions? ( see http://www.ireland.com/sports/soccer...end_soccer.pdf for British based players ). I would think any of Stephan and Alan Quinn, Stephen McPhail, Willo Flood .....
Please don't say Ollie Cahill! I would also consider Wes Hoolahan but he is involved in play offs. Any exceptional young wingers currently in the eL ?

Goalkeepers: Nick Colgan (Barnsley), Wayne Henderson (Preston North End), Colin Doyle (Birmingham City).

Defenders: Stephen Kelly (Birmingham City), Paul McShane (West Bromwich Albion), Sean St Ledger (Preston North End), Alex Bruce (Ipswich Town), Joseph O’Cearuill (Arsenal), John O’Shea (Manchester United), Stephen O’Halloran (Aston Villa).

Midfielders: Darren Potter (Wolves), Stephen Hunt (Reading), Alan O’Brien (Newcastle United), Kevin Kilbane (Wigan Athletic), Joe Gamble (Cork City).

Forwards: Kevin Doyle, Shane Long (both Reading), Daryl Murphy, Anthony Stokes (both Sunderland), Andy Keogh (Wolves).

**Risteard** · 17/05/2007, 1:07 PM

I agree and disagree with Keely.
Roy is more likely to play an international role in the future.
Gamble is 25 and won't get MUCH better.
However, he's the more accomplished player and if it was for a competitive match in the coming months, Gamble is more deserving. I happen to think Gamble is better than a lot of our midfield options and deserves a squad place.

**GavinZac** · 17/05/2007, 1:09 PM

As for pick wingers, gamble or roy would both be suitable. gamble played on the right side of midfield in the B international and was praised for his performance. its possible he might be playing there when healy and farrelly become eligible.

**pete** · 17/05/2007, 1:26 PM

I am sure I will be accused of being bias but Gamble was probably the best midfielder on display at the B international so is worthy of this place in the squad.

Roy O'Donovan is still very raw & somewhat immature but he could do a job at right wing.

I was trying to think what players Staunton would call up if he had more withdrawals. I suppose Stephen Quinn as mentioned above would be one of the first on such a list.

**drummerboy** · 17/05/2007, 1:29 PM

I was at the B international and Gamble did play well on the right hand side of midfield. Staunton was at the game, and has rewarded a lot of players on duty that night with call ups for the USA trip. On a sidenote, O Cearuill was on the bench for Arsenal on Sunday last.

**pete** · 17/05/2007, 1:30 PM

Originally Posted by drummerboy

I was at the B international and Gamble did play well on the right hand side of midfield. Staunton was at the game, and has rewarded a lot of players on duty that night with call ups for the USA trip.

If the B squad is to have any purpose (its debatable if it should) then it makes sense for Staunton to look to that squad when the senior squad has withdrawals.

**gustavo** · 17/05/2007, 1:32 PM

Originally Posted by livehead1

why should he reject it? he's a second rate footballer playing in a second rate league. this could be his oppurtunity in his eyes to prove that he is good enough to play in england ( which realistically is what the vast majority of EL players want to do). he wouldn't have expected to be in the first squad.

I wouldn't have him anywhere near the squad, its a farce to think hes involved when theres footballers of Owen Garvan's talent not even making our u21's

I love this "play in England" thing , its as if any level of football in England is better than playing here. Of course he and all players here could play in England its just a matter of at what level

**Dodge** · 17/05/2007, 1:36 PM

Originally Posted by pete

I was trying to think what players Staunton would call up if he had more withdrawals. I suppose Stephen Quinn as mentioned above would be one of the first on such a list.

Quinn would easily have been in the orginal squad but asked not to be picked (along with his brother) due to pressing family matters.

**DmanDmythDledge** · 17/05/2007, 2:48 PM

Originally Posted by GavinZac

and you've seen either in action?

So you think the EL is a good as the Premiership, La Liga or Seria A?

**sligoman** · 17/05/2007, 2:52 PM

Originally Posted by livehead1

why should he reject it? he's a second rate footballer playing in a second rate league. this could be his oppurtunity in his eyes to prove that he is good enough to play in england ( which realistically is what the vast majority of EL players want to do). he wouldn't have expected to be in the first squad.

I wouldn't have him anywhere near the squad, its a farce to think hes involved when theres footballers of Owen Garvan's talent not even making our u21's

Please change yer avatar. You're an embarassment to Sligo Rovers.