Keith Fahey

[Dodge]

Does he have to wait until January to play with them, or can he start playing as soon as they do the deal?

Has to wait until January

[Dr. Ogba]

So now we sit back and wait for his Birmingham debut and the inevitable "Who it this Fahy (sic) chap?" thread that will follow...

i hope you're taking the p!ss here given that there's already a 13 page thread on him...

[Dodge]

i hope you're taking the p!ss here given that there's already a 13 page thread on him...

Ciaran posted a thread yesterday asking who he is.

[irishfan86]

He'll never get an Irish cap, he'll make a handful of poor sub appearances for Birmingham before vanishing into obscurity for a while, perhaps being loaned out to fill the bench for some first division scottish side the following season before returning to the LOI when his contract expires.

That's my prediction.

Birmingham play with a 5 man midfield, with Carsley offering protection for two more offensive minded central players.

I think this system will suit Fahey perfectly as he'll have the freedom to go forward, and he'll still get to play in the middle.

I think a guy like Fahey would be forced to play as a wide player at most English clubs- look at a guy like Andy Reid for example. He'd never get played on the wings on the continent, but in England they feel that a non-athlete such as himself can't cope in the middle.

I look forward to following his progress anyway.

[gustavo]

He'll never get an Irish cap, he'll make a handful of poor sub appearances for Birmingham before vanishing into obscurity for a while, perhaps being loaned out to fill the bench for some first division scottish side the following season before returning to the LOI when his contract expires.

That's my prediction.

He'lll do better than that Red guy anyway I'd wager

[third policeman]

He'll never get an Irish cap, he'll make a handful of poor sub appearances for Birmingham before vanishing into obscurity for a while, perhaps being loaned out to fill the bench for some first division scottish side the following season before returning to the LOI when his contract expires.

That's my prediction.

A trifle pessimistic. I've only seen him twice on TV but his peformances against Hertha were exceptional. McLeish is a canny and pragmatic manager, I dont think he buys players on a whim. I would expect him to get games fairly quickly.

[Stuttgart88]

The transfer fee isn't exactly trivial so I'd say this is a bit off being the "free option" that the Doyle & Long transfers to Reading were, or Liam Miller's transfer to Man United.

[Dodge]

McLeish has said that Fahey is being signed for the first team squad. He's obviously not 100% sure about him but he's not being signed for the reserves

[shakermaker1982]

Good luck to the lad.

[passinginterest]

Pretty positive talk from McLeish here;
http://www.blues.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10412~1469106,00.html

Good to see he views him as a central midfielder anyway. He has the ability to do very well assuming he's managed to get his head sorted out. He had a habit of being a bit lazy and cruising through games in the League of Ireland, he won't get away with that in the Championship.

[Dodge]

He had a habit of being a bit lazy and cruising through games in the League of Ireland, he won't get away with that in the Championship.

He was only ever lazy when stuck out on the wing. For the past two years he's played (mainly) in the centre and hasn't been lazy at all

[passinginterest]

He was only ever lazy when stuck out on the wing. For the past two years he's played (mainly) in the centre and hasn't been lazy at all

I've seen him live a good few times and over the last two years and I'd still say he can be lazy by top professional standards. His tracking back and work ethic are questionable in my opinion, even against Hertha I felt his work rate could have been higher (and I was in the stand not watching on TV).

[Dodge]

His tracking back and work ethic are questionable in my opinion

Sometimes he was told not to track back, so if we won the ball we'd have a creative outlet.

[Hibs4Ever]

against Hertha I felt his work rate could have been higher


He was the best player on the pitch against Hertha, both home & away. His work rate in those games was exceptional

[Dodge]

He tired towards the end of both, but he was coming back from injury

[passinginterest]

He was the best player on the pitch against Hertha, both home & away. His work rate in those games was exceptional

Wouldn't argue he was one of the best players, but I think I said at the time I was slightly disappointed with his performance in the home leg against Hertha, only because I rate him very highly and have seen him use the ball better. Having said that conditions were very difficult that day and Hertha are a good side. I still think he'll have to improve his fitness and work rate a little to make himself a success. I really hope he does, not doubting his talent for a second.

[Hibs4Ever]

So he had two good games against Hertha, two games which not only did his side fail to win either but also failed to score. I don't think lavishing praise on an attacking midfielder who failed to achieve anything in his supposed peak performances is appropriate.

And regardless, at best he'll be a competent championship midfielder. i.e. the next Alan Quinn. Still has no business in the Ireland setup.




These 2 games are an example. Are you seriously this stupid :confused:

[shakermaker1982]

So he had two good games against Hertha, two games which not only did his side fail to win either but also failed to score. I don't think lavishing praise on an attacking midfielder who failed to achieve anything in his supposed peak performances is appropriate.

And regardless, at best he'll be a competent championship midfielder. i.e. the next Alan Quinn. Still has no business in the Ireland setup.

your the most positive man on this forum Ciaran!!! :D

Give the guy a chance.

[micls]

These 2 games are an example. Are you seriously this stupid :confused:

Do you seriously have to asK?

[Dodge]

So he had two good games against Hertha, two games which not only did his side fail to win either but also failed to score. I don't think lavishing praise on an attacking midfielder who failed to achieve anything in his supposed peak performances is appropriate.

And regardless, at best he'll be a competent championship midfielder. i.e. the next Alan Quinn. Still has no business in the Ireland setup.

You didn't know who he was yesterday?

[paul_oshea]

Thats the other ciaran dodge.

[irishfan86]

It was quite obvious that the thread was a parody of post #253. Looks like it went over your head. :rolleyes:

Ciaran- the Jonathan Swift of our age.

[Diarmo]

It was quite obvious that the thread was a parody of post #253. Looks like it went over your head. :rolleyes:

I remember not so long ago Ciaran believed that playing Premiership subs was preferable to using Championship players. Now, with the Carsley - Gibson situation he's changed his mind.

Ciaran, my hat is off to you sir. A 'fountain' of football knowledge, if ever there was one.

[SkStu]

a "fountain of knowledge" with a creepy man-crush.... ewwww...

[eirebhoy]

I can't believe the amount of replies Ciaran still gets when he's quite obviously winding people up. He has to get his daily attention fix.

[superfrank]

There's a difference between playing in the championship and being a championship player.
Just like there's a difference between warming a Premiership bench and playing week in and week out at a different level.

Anyway, Fahey can't be that bad. You said he was great before.

http://foot.ie/showpost.php?p=1062804&postcount=9

[FarBeag]

I can't believe the amount of replies Ciaran still gets when he's quite obviously winding people up. He has to get his daily attention fix.


I don’t think he intentionally winds people up. He would not have the capabilities to do so. It’s just that he is so insightless and attempts to start and contribute to posts he knows nothing about but believes he does. He frustrates people rather than wind them up.I would hate to have to work with him particularly if he was a manager of some sort.;)

[tetsujin1979]

I would hate to have to work with him particularly if he was a manager of some sort.;)
I think he's more of a chilled out entertainer than a manager....

[NeilMcD]

I can't believe the amount of replies Ciaran still gets when he's quite obviously winding people up. He has to get his daily attention fix.

If you as a mod feel that he is clearly winding up people should you not do something about it.

[Colbert Report]

Is he allowed to start training with them immediately or does he have to wait until January 1?

[elroy]

Is he allowed to start training with them immediately or does he have to wait until January 1?

Am sure he could start training with them now, didnt Beckham train with Arsenal a year or two ago when the transfer window was closed and the US season was over.

[irishultra]

and they watched keith fahey when

[Stuttgart88]

I've no opinion on Fahey having last seen him play in the UAE in the 2003 youths World Cup. What I have seen of him on YouTube makes him look like a bit of a player and one with a good athletic physique too - important given the number of shortarses and fatties we have :)

However, what on earth would a Birmingham fan be able to say about Fahey? They'd only have the same YouTube clips to go on.

[seanfhear]

Try reading what the Birmingham City forums are saying about Fahey and tell me that I'm "winding" people up with my comments. If anything their comments make me look like a Fahey worshipper. :D

English football supporters are very fickle.If Fahey puts in a few good performances then he will be the greatest ever.

[irishfan86]

English football supporters are very fickle.If Fahey puts in a few good performances then he will be the greatest ever.

I don't think it's fair to give this label to the English specifically...sure there are intelligent supporters of various sports around the world, but I find that the vast majority of fans of any team are quick to get on the back of anybody who is going through a bad patch.

It seems human nature to look for a scapegoat, and as things are going well for Birmingham right now, they might be thinking that they're above a League of Ireland player.

[eirebhoy]

If you as a mod feel that he is clearly winding up people should you not do something about it.
Eamon Dunphy winds people up all the time. Pat Dolan too. Nothing you can do about it, just get used to the type of people they are. :)

[NeilMcD]

I just thougght that are rules about that sort of thing. I do not care really as it does not bother me at all.

[geysir]

Don't open a new thread to accommodate every goldfish brain storm.
Don't persist with complaints when that thread is deleted.

[Lenny82]

I think he's more of a chilled out entertainer than a manager....

Brilliant!!!

[Seano]

Try reading what the Birmingham City forums are saying about Fahey and tell me that I'm "winding" people up with my comments. If anything their comments make me look like a Fahey worshipper. :D

Could it be that he played for Villa?

[Wolfie]

Just like there's a difference between warming a Premiership bench and playing week in and week out at a different level.

Anyway, Fahey can't be that bad. You said he was great before.

http://foot.ie/showpost.php?p=1062804&postcount=9

Ciaran did indeed begin that post by stating that Fahey was great.

His parting shot within the same post slightly tainted this forensic appraisal though - "he's just another average fish in a small pond"..

[Saint_Charlie]

Is he allowed to start training with them immediately or does he have to wait until January 1?

He signed tonight. http://www.blues.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10412~1458664,00.html

Starts training Monday week apparently.

[tetsujin1979]

Short interview on Sky Sports: http://www.skysports.com/video/clips/0,23791,12606_4588426,00.html

[irishultra]

sad coz he should be in squad or at least be heavily considered already. dont care how he does in england, hes a unique style player who cleary has an eye for a pass and very composed, if he doesnt succeed in england then this doesnt change. which would you prefer? a player confident in his ability and looks to get on the ball, or reserve team players? should ukraine drop shevchenko cause he wasnt good for chelsea?

http://www.birminghampost.net/midlands-birmingham-sport/west-midlands-sports/birmingham-city-fc/2008/12/04/birmingham-city-s-new-signing-keith-fahey-hopes-to-muscle-into-trapattoni-s-republic-of-ireland-squad-65233-22400379/

[irishfan86]

sad coz he should be in squad or at least be heavily considered already. dont care how he does in england, hes a unique style player who cleary has an eye for a pass and very composed, if he doesnt succeed in england then this doesnt change. which would you prefer? a player confident in his ability and looks to get on the ball, or reserve team players? should ukraine drop shevchenko cause he wasnt good for chelsea?

http://www.birminghampost.net/midlands-birmingham-sport/west-midlands-sports/birmingham-city-fc/2008/12/04/birmingham-city-s-new-signing-keith-fahey-hopes-to-muscle-into-trapattoni-s-republic-of-ireland-squad-65233-22400379/

Eirebhoy has talked about this a few times, but it's very true: the level a player plays at can dictate how confident or effective he is on the ball.

O'Shea has looked an effective midfielder at times when playing against lower league opposition, but you wouldn't want him there against the likes of Chelsea or Arsenal.

Liam Miller looked a very capable midfielder in Sunderland's promotion push to the Premiership, but since their arrival has been a passenger.

I hope Fahey succeeds, but his ability to play well in the Championship (and perhaps beyond), should be considered when we're making our squad selections.

[theworm2345]

His first match could be this weekend if he is fit and has been training with them...they're playing Wolves in the FA Cup.

[Dodge]

Fahey can't make debut this week as he's suspended (http://www.blues.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10412~1506461,00.html)

Seems a bit odd but it certainly reads as though he's definitely in the manager's plans

[holidaysong]

Birmingham's FA Cup match today is postponed anyway..

[Saint_Charlie]

Fahey is finally available for Birmingham and is in the squad for tomorrows game against Cardiff.

[paul_oshea]

hope he gets a chance today.