Keith Fahey

[Stuttgart88]

Whether someone is international class or not is a dumb way to approach it.

We need a balanced squad with players able to play certain positions and provide cover or alternatives. For example, it's well established that an international squad will have 5 forwards. Are all 5 of ours international class (whatever that is)?

Trap deems Miller to be good enough for the squad. Fahey is probably as good if not better than Miller. Therefore he has a good case to be a candidate for Miller's place.

We have 3 orthodox central midfielders apart from Miller, and there's no way Fahey should be considered ahead of McGeady or Lawrence for the right midfield slot. Miller's place is marginal anyway so any argument over Fahey is a marginal one too.

I personally think that as Fahey has been playing (or training) consistently for 12 months or more he deserves a rest and if he can start pre-season fresh it'll set him up for next year. Then we'll see how he copes. He'll be facing stiff competition from our U21 midfielders before long (Garvan, Quinn, O'Toole & McCann), most directly from Garvan I reckon in terms of style.

[Duggie]

Whether someone is international class or not is a dumb way to approach it.

We need a balanced squad with players able to play certain positions and provide cover or alternatives. For example, it's well established that an international squad will have 5 forwards. Are all 5 of ours international class (whatever that is)?

Trap deems Miller to be good enough for the squad. Fahey is probably as good if not better than Miller. Therefore he has a good case to be a candidate for Miller's place.

We have 3 orthodox central midfielders apart from Miller, and there's no way Fahey should be considered ahead of McGeady or Lawrence for the right midfield slot. Miller's place is marginal anyway so any argument over Fahey is a marginal one too.

I personally think that as Fahey has been playing (or training) consistently for 12 months or more he deserves a rest and if he can start pre-season fresh it'll set him up for next year. Then we'll see how he copes. He'll be facing stiff competition from our U21 midfielders before long (Garvan, Quinn, O'Toole & McCann), most directly from Garvan I reckon in terms of style.

oh come on have u seen fahey.....hmmmm fahey miller fahy miller......EH FAHEY

[KK77]

Terrific argument. You've seemed to have won everyone over with that one.

:confused:

Do you think so really?:D Not trying to win anyone over;)

[Stuttgart88]

Crikey, do you really think that "Fahey is probably as good as if not better than Miller" is really worth picking up on?

[Duggie]

Crikey, do you really think that "Fahey is probably as good as if not better than Miller" is really worth picking up on?

just the probably bit yes.

[Stuttgart88]

I'd prefer Fahey over Miller but if you look at it objectively Miller has put in more impressive performances at a high-ish level in his career than Fahey has. There's no direct way of comparing so "probably" is justified imho.

I'd imagine that Stephen McPhail is also feeling pretty hard done by at Miller's consistent inclusion. I'd actually be inclined to look at McPhail ahead of Fahey.

But, as I say, it's all marginal because you might as well pick me for the 4th CM spot as it's unlikely to ever be called upon.

[KK77]

I'd prefer Fahey over Miller but if you look at it objectively Miller has put in more impressive performances at a high-ish level in his career than Fahey has. There's no direct way of comparing so "probably" is justified imho.

I'd imagine that Stephen McPhail is also feeling pretty hard done by at Miller's consistent inclusion. I'd actually be inclined to look at McPhail ahead of Fahey.

But, as I say, it's all marginal because you might as well pick me for the 4th CM spot as it's unlikely to ever be called upon.


Good post especially the first paragraph.

[youngirish]

McCann's not better than Fahey. Saw him play against Birmingham and he was certainly not "international class". TV viewings gave me similar impression

Obviously has more scope to improve
I'd think McCann is a better all round central midfielder than Fahey. Big, strong, good in the air, solid defensively and good going forward. Fahey is playing wide for Birmingham anyway. We can judge after next season when both hopefully get a long run for their respective teams in a higher standard league.

[drummerboy]

I'm inclined to favour McCann. I have been really impressed when I have seen him play. Reminds me of a young Gareth Barry. Fahey has done well and is far better than Miller who shouldn't be near the squad at this stage.

[Dodge]

I'd think McCann is a better all round central midfielder than Fahey. Big, strong, good in the air, solid defensively and good going forward. Fahey is playing wide for Birmingham anyway. We can judge after next season when both hopefully get a long run for their respective teams in a higher standard league.

He's better defensively. I just think he's a little too slow, and a bit ponderous on the ball too. As I said before he's got more years in front of him than fahey and hopefully he establishes hmself in the Premier League

[elroy]

Is Rafa B aka Ciaran?!?! What happened him anyways

[SkStu]

International class players and that's not being smart.

the ones he rang rings around from Berlin and Elfsberg?

:rolleyes:

[irishultra]

the ones he rang rings around from Berlin and Elfsberg?

:rolleyes:

No. He has to play against quality players like Grant McCann, Kevin Nolan and Lee Cattermole before he can be considered good enough for the Irish team.

A team who finished 4th in the Bundesliga just won't do.

...........;)

[Dodge]

Ireland boss Trapattoni has Birmingham City's Fahey in the frame
(http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/birmingham-city-fc/birmingham-city-fc-news/2009/05/23/ireland-boss-trapattoni-has-birmingham-city-s-fahey-in-the-frame-97319-23693909/)

[paul_oshea]

Interesting that many on here keep saying fahey isn't a winger etc, and when he wasn't standing out originally were saying thats cos he is a midfielder not a winger and mcleish is playing him out wide:


“It might have been Sheffield United. We didn’t get control of the game. Keith wasn’t as effective in the middle and Scott Sinclair played on the left and it just didn’t work for us.”

Only one game I know but it sounds like mcleish doesn't see him as a central midfielder....for Brum at least.

[ifk101]

Interesting that many on here keep saying fahey isn't a winger etc, and when he wasn't standing out originally were saying thats cos he is a midfielder not a winger and mcleish is playing him out wide:


Keith’s not a winger

He's not a winger.

[Stuttgart88]

Ireland boss Trapattoni has Birmingham City's Fahey in the frame
(http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/birmingham-city-fc/birmingham-city-fc-news/2009/05/23/ireland-boss-trapattoni-has-birmingham-city-s-fahey-in-the-frame-97319-23693909/)

It'd be nice if an Irish paper actually reported some Trapattoni quotes on an Irish international candidate. Why do we have to scour local UK press for this type of thing?

[tetsujin1979]

Abductor injury for Fahey following preseason game in Germany: http://www.birminghammail.net/birmingham-sport/birmingham-city-fc/birmingham-city-fc-news/2009/07/22/birmingham-city-keith-fahey-injury-scare-97319-24213098/

[paul_oshea]

who abductOd him?

[Hibernian]

does not sound too bad he survive i say

[MeathDrog]

“Keith was great. He’s very effective on that left side."

Aye, but he's absolute dynamite in the middle. You clown.

[gustavo]

Starts today at Old Trafford

[rambler14]

Starts today at Old Trafford

Jay O'Shea on the bench.

[Razors left peg]

Jay O'Shea on the bench.

Thats a massive shock, fantastic news for him.Didnt expect to see him near the first team for a while

[stiffler]

Them sky commentators still cant say Fahey!!

[hula4]

fair play to him, its a long way from leinster senior league matches at the red cow to old trafford

[irishultra]

has anyone got a good stream? i have a stream but its not great.

[Razors left peg]

has anyone got a good stream? i have a stream but its not great.

try www.rojadirecta.com (http://www.rojadirecta.com)
I havent looked but I usually get excellent streams from there

[Manblue]

Anyone else watch him today, though he did quite well, movement and distribution looked good, great eye for a pass, quite creative but tired towards the end, distibution became a little sloppy but match fitness will come. Would like to see him impose himself more on the game though

[irishultra]

The good thing about fahey is that he is a playmaker, not a box to box to tough tackling kinda guy so he has actually loads of time to be an irish first team player(again how the hell has he not got a cap?????? only country in the world tbh where he wouldn't, you'd think we had players shining for all of europes elite league teams, not ones who struggle to even find clubs.

Ireland Reid Fahey

^^^^^^^^^^^^
Such a nice midfield. The intelligence of Fahey, the all action Reid, and the just talented in every way Ireland. Awesome. Its really annoying to see the midfield we line out now when you see what we could play. Also depending on club form, Andy Reid could challenge Fahey for a starting place, if Reid was injured we'd have Whelan, Andrews or McCann(who again magically doesn't make the squad) coming in to take his place. And Ireland is a machine so if available would always be.

[Manblue]

The good thing about fahey is that he is a playmaker, not a box to box to tough tackling kinda guy so he has actually loads of time to be an irish first team player(again how the hell has he not got a cap?????? only country in the world tbh where he wouldn't, you'd think we had players shining for all of europes elite league teams, not ones who struggle to even find clubs.

This is true but giving his failure to break through at the other clubs im not too suprised, cant see him fitting into a trap midfield for a competitive game though

[stamullendrog]

hes more talent in his little finger than the current ireland midfield put together,possibly with the exception of duff

[Royal rover]

i was at the game - i was very impressed with him - my mate agreed that he should be in the ireland squad - honestly if he keeps up that type of performance he'll do very well for himself- O'Shea came on and did ok

[dr_peepee]

fair play to him, its a long way from leinster senior league matches at the red cow to old trafford

Ha!!! Very true... didn't think many knew about that particular stint at Bluebell!!

[soccerc]

Ha!!! Very true... didn't think many knew about that particular stint at Bluebell!!

All three games..........

[CF1989]

if people are saying he should be in the ireland squad now, then he should have been in it when he was with pats. he's not an awful lot better than when he was with pats...just that hes in england now. shows how much our league gets looked at

[boovidge]

The good thing about fahey is that he is a playmaker, not a box to box to tough tackling kinda guy so he has actually loads of time to be an irish first team player(again how the hell has he not got a cap?????? only country in the world tbh where he wouldn't, you'd think we had players shining for all of europes elite league teams, not ones who struggle to even find clubs.

Ireland Reid Fahey

^^^^^^^^^^^^
Such a nice midfield. The intelligence of Fahey, the all action Reid, and the just talented in every way Ireland. Awesome. Its really annoying to see the midfield we line out now when you see what we could play. Also depending on club form, Andy Reid could challenge Fahey for a starting place, if Reid was injured we'd have Whelan, Andrews or McCann(who again magically doesn't make the squad) coming in to take his place. And Ireland is a machine so if available would always be.

We can't have three luxury players in the same midfield. We're not Brazil.

[Razors left peg]

if people are saying he should be in the ireland squad now, then he should have been in it when he was with pats. he's not an awful lot better than when he was with pats...just that hes in england now. shows how much our league gets looked at

his fitness would be better now and he would be alot sharper playing against better players every week.... you cannot ask someone to go from playing against the likes of Sligo or Galway etc to play against Italy in a vital world cup qualifer.... and I say that as a LOI season ticket holder

[Razors left peg]

We can't have three luxury players in the same midfield. We're not Brazil.

Steven Reid is far from a luxury player

[boovidge]

Was thinking of the other one..:o

[DmanDmythDledge]

The good thing about fahey is that he is a playmaker, not a box to box to tough tackling kinda guy so he has actually loads of time to be an irish first team player(again how the hell has he not got a cap?????? only country in the world tbh where he wouldn't, you'd think we had players shining for all of europes elite league teams, not ones who struggle to even find clubs.

Ireland Reid Fahey

^^^^^^^^^^^^
Such a nice midfield. The intelligence of Fahey, the all action Reid, and the just talented in every way Ireland. Awesome. Its really annoying to see the midfield we line out now when you see what we could play. Also depending on club form, Andy Reid could challenge Fahey for a starting place, if Reid was injured we'd have Whelan, Andrews or McCann(who again magically doesn't make the squad) coming in to take his place. And Ireland is a machine so if available would always be.
So you would have players who have performed well in the Premiership and better than Fahey has in the Championship behind him?

[Razors left peg]

Was thinking of the other one..:o

Thought so but couldnt let it go :D

[Dodge]

So you would have players who have performed well in the Premiership and better than Fahey has in the Championship behind him?

Who performed better than him in the Championship? Hee was excellent at that level last year. Even Sky commentator today remarked on im being "one of Birmingham's better players last year"

[DmanDmythDledge]

Who performed better than him in the Championship? Hee was excellent at that level last year. Even Sky commentator today remarked on im being "one of Birmingham's better players last year"
McCann. Undoubtedly imo.

[Dodge]

I watched McCann a fair bit and he wasn't anywhere near as effective as Fahey (I even watched them in the same game in person)

McCann is an Andrews/Whelan type player (with an engine). Completely different to Fahey

[irishultra]

So you would have players who have performed well in the Premiership and better than Fahey has in the Championship behind him?

McCann will be a good player but he doesn't have the style that Fahey has. Fahey and Reid are alike, so would compete for a place but I prefer Faheys style so would place him over A.Reid.

And McCann wasn't that better or better at all than Fahey. Fahey plays and starts for a team which is much better than Burnley.

A few people I talk to on other forums of lower league english clubs don't really think much of mccann but really rate fahey.

[irishultra]

if people are saying he should be in the ireland squad now, then he should have been in it when he was with pats. he's not an awful lot better than when he was with pats...just that hes in england now. shows how much our league gets looked at

He should have been in. Only country in the world where a player performing at an elite level in the national league wouldn't even be considered for a place and all because of the British centric mentality that Irish football has.

I'm suprised more LOI fans have absolutely no time for the National team.

As far as I'm concerned a stronger picking players based on players playing in National League culture is needed. If a player is playing in the lower divisions of English football he shouldn't be considered over a player in LOI. Couldn't even imagine Norway picking English second division players.

[tetsujin1979]

Them sky commentators still cant say Fahey!!
was listening to the BBC Radio 5 commentary on NewsTalk, they pronounced it "Faw-hee"

[youngirish]

I watched McCann a fair bit and he wasn't anywhere near as effective as Fahey (I even watched them in the same game in person)

McCann is an Andrews/Whelan type player (with an engine). Completely different to Fahey

Both are very different players but McCann was one of the most highly rated midfielders in the Championship last season and I don't think it's fair to say Fahey was better last year though he also did very well once he settled into the team. He played wide anyway for Birmingham and not central midfield.

However, McCann is definitely more a Trap style midfielder and if he does well (he looked decent yesterday) then he should get a call up. Maybe Fahey could fill a hole in one of the wide positions. At the moment only Duff looks good in the wide roles.

[youngirish]

McCann will be a good player but he doesn't have the style that Fahey has. Fahey and Reid are alike, so would compete for a place but I prefer Faheys style so would place him over A.Reid.

And McCann wasn't that better or better at all than Fahey. Fahey plays and starts for a team which is much better than Burnley.

A few people I talk to on other forums of lower league english clubs don't really think much of mccann but really rate fahey.
As stated earlier this would not be the general consensus in the Championship so I don't know who you're talking to on forums. By what measure are Birmingham much better than Burnley anyway? Did you make that astute judgement based on a whole 1 game? I'd say the difference is miniscule and both will struggle this year to be honest.


He should have been in. Only country in the world where a player performing at an elite level in the national league wouldn't even be considered for a place and all because of the British centric mentality that Irish football has.

I'm suprised more LOI fans have absolutely no time for the National team.

As far as I'm concerned a stronger picking players based on players playing in National League culture is needed. If a player is playing in the lower divisions of English football he shouldn't be considered over a player in LOI. Couldn't even imagine Norway picking English second division players.

This is of course the usual irishultra garbage. You pick your players performing best at the highest level possible irrespective of whether that's in your own national league or a foreign league. If we have a player performing well week in, week out in the Championship then he should be included ahead of a player playing well week in, week out in the LOI as the Championship (no matter how much you like to think otherwise) is a higher level of football.