Graham Carey (M free agent b.1989)

[tetsujin1979]

Nominated for League One Player of the Month for October: https://www.efl.com/news/2017/november/october-player-of-the-month-nominees-l1/

Graham Carey (Plymouth Argyle)
Did it all in October to drag Argyle out of their early-season slump. Either set up or scored all of his side’s five goals. Added to spectacular strikes against Shrewsbury and Blackburn were delightful crosses and superb jinking runs among his three assists.

[mark12345]

Nominated for League One Player of the Month for October: https://www.efl.com/news/2017/november/october-player-of-the-month-nominees-l1/

He really is a fine player. Would likely thrive at Championship level and is one we could certainly do with in the Irish squad.

[Park_Lane]

He really is a fine player. Would likely thrive at Championship level and is one we could certainly do with in the Irish squad.

Agreed. Hopefully gets a move to higher level team soon and we don’t miss his best years for the senior team.

[CraftyToePoke]

Agreed. Hopefully gets a move to higher level team soon and we don’t miss his best years for the senior team.

He turned down Sheffield United in the summer didn't he ? There was interest anyway I think.

[Olé Olé]

He will be 29 when next season starts, wherever he is.

Did someone say 'Wes'?

Fanciful but would be nice if he did manage to kick on up the leagues. If the opportunity was there for the Championship in the summer then it's disappointing he didn't grab it.

[Park_Lane]

He will be 29 when next season starts, wherever he is.

Did someone say 'Wes'?

Fanciful but would be nice if he did manage to kick on up the leagues. If the opportunity was there for the Championship in the summer then it's disappointing he didn't grab it.

His career has been very similar to Wes's apart from the Celtic part.
Unfortunately a lot of our skillful players seem to have to slog it out for years in the lower leagues before they get noticed by a championship team or get there through promotion. Its a real pity that more dont try their luck in european leagues as I feel their progression would be quicker this route.

[tetsujin1979]

Won the player of the month for October: https://www.efl.com/news/2017/november/player-of-the-month-graham-carey---plymouth-argyle/#

[tetsujin1979]

Scored the League One goal of the month
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[samhaydenjr]

On the scoresheet again tonight - his eleventh of the season - about to turn 29 and playing in League One - is it too late for him to be given a chance? I guess if you go by the Wessi standard, he's got a good seven years left in him... in fact the next five years should be his best. Would want to make the jump to The Championship soon, though.

[CraftyToePoke]

On the scoresheet again tonight - his eleventh of the season

Who did they play tonight ?

[Closed Account]

1094389078483783686

[mark12345]

Brilliant talent. Should have played at a much higher level.

[mark12345]

1094389078483783686

To be honest, at a time when Wes was in decline, Graham Carey could and would have done a good job for Ireland. The lad is quite creative and shame on a succession of Irish managers who didn't recognize that.

[Fixer82]

He's very good in Championship Manager 2017 for iPhone . :)

[DeLorean]

Signs for CSKA Sofia - https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/transfer-window/former-ireland-under21-international-graham-carey-signs-for-cska-sofia-38203424.html

[mark12345]

Signs for CSKA Sofia - https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/transfer-window/former-ireland-under21-international-graham-carey-signs-for-cska-sofia-38203424.html

Deligheted for the lad. He is a very fine footballer. Hopefully he gets two or three good years out of CSKA.
And, looking at the dearth of talent we have available in midfield (based on yesterday's evidence against Gibraltar) maybe Mick would consider him as a creative option?
But since he didn't take Dan Crowley on the trip to Portugal, maybe including Carey in the next Irish squad is just wishful thinking.

[tetsujin1979]

I had a look at their season - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018%E2%80%9319_First_Professional_Football_League _(Bulgaria)#Championship_round - they finished second in the Bulgarian league, and will play in the first qualifying round of the Europa League. Could face shamrock Rovers or St Pat's

[tetsujin1979]

Started tonight for CSKA Sofia in their Europa League First Qualifying Round tie against Titograd of Montenegro. CSKA won 4-0, with Carey assisting the third goal, so you'd expect them to be in the second round against Croatian side Osikej

[tetsujin1979]

Scored the second in a penalty shoot out last night for CSKA Sofia, who won and will now face Ukrainian and Zorya Luhansk in the next round

[SkStu]

Two stunning goals from Graham Carey for CSKA Sofia yesterday.

Both available here
1236424056611667968

[Trequartista20]

Scored in CSKA Sofia's win over BATE Borisov this evening.

[Bielsa´s irish]

cap him, Ronan and Cillian Sheridan too!

[Trequartista20]

No need for that sort of sarcasm; I only mentioned he scored a goal!

[Bielsa´s irish]

No need for that sort of sarcasm; I only mentioned he scored a goal!
no, im serious about it .....we have played players from League 1 like Curtis and a few more, come on.
Continental football experience can offer a different approach. Same for the gk in Norway

[sadloserkid]

Same for the gk in Norway

He's having quite a year. Yet to concede a goal in his 0 appearances.

[CraftyToePoke]

He's having quite a year. Yet to concede a goal in his 0 appearances.

Nice to see you around the place again SLK.

[sadloserkid]

Nice to see you around the place again SLK.

I dip in and out. More out than in to be fair.

[tetsujin1979]

Won the Bulgarian Cup with CSKA Sofia last night
https://cska.bg/index.php?main_page=document_general_info&products_id=9949

[Bielsa´s irish]

Can he play forma Ireland? He is a number 10

[Bielsa´s irish]

Scored vs Mou

[tetsujin1979]

Cracking finish too
1438583387434926080

[mark12345]

Can he play forma Ireland? He is a number 10

Yes he can play for Ireland. Irish born and bred. He really should be given a chance given our lack of creativity in midfield.

[irishfan86]

Let’s face it, we’re giving opportunities to people playing at a lower level. I’d be happy to take a look at him, but maybe it’s just too late as we look to Euro 2024 campaign.

Perhaps at 32 he just doesn’t fall into the rebuild.

[tetsujin1979]

I think that's a really bad reason - sorry you'll be too old in two years, so we're not going to play you against Azerbaijan or Qatar in three weeks
We need wins now and he's playing at a higher level than at least half of the midfielders named in the last squad - https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/skipper-coleman-ruled-out-of-serbia-through-injury


Midfielders: Josh Cullen (Anderlecht), Jeff Hendrick(Newcastle United), Conor Hourihane(Aston Villa - on loan at Sheffield United), Harry Arter(Nottingham Forest), Jamie McGrath(St. Mirren), Jayson Molumby(Brighton and Hove Albion - on loan at West Brom), Alan Browne(Preston North End)

[irishfan86]

It just depends who he’s getting in ahead of. If we’re picking Carey over Arter, that doesn’t bother me at all. If a guy like McGrath loses out on minutes I just think that’s really shortsighted given this campaign is a write off.

[Bielsa´s irish]

Cap the gallagher lad in the US

[tetsujin1979]

Travel restrictions mean this is unlikely in the immediate future

[ifk101]

I think that's a really bad reason - sorry you'll be too old in two years, so we're not going to play you against Azerbaijan or Qatar in three weeks
We need wins now and he's playing at a higher level than at least half of the midfielders named in the last squad - https://www.fai.ie/ireland/news/skipper-coleman-ruled-out-of-serbia-through-injury

Is he playing at a higher level? The Bulgarian league is ranked 24th in Europe, Scotland is ranked 9th for comparison.

If the Championship and L1 were standalone leagues, the Championship would certainly rank higher than the Bulgarian league (look at the finances), and arguably L1 would also rank higher.

[Olé Olé]

Is he playing at a higher level? The Bulgarian league is ranked 24th in Europe, Scotland is ranked 9th for comparison.

If the Championship and L1 were standalone leagues, the Championship would certainly rank higher than the Bulgarian league (look at the finances), and arguably L1 would also rank higher.
Probably. But you could counter all this by saying he ripped up League One and produced against a Serie A side. We were also dreadful against a Bulgarian side containing a lot of home based players whilst we had a PL and Championship laden team.

Not pushing for Carey. Haven't seen him play. And he's 32. You'd wonder if he had chosen his move after Plymouth a little differently would he have been called in. I see Poland had an MLS striker beside Lewandowski the other night. Slovakia have an MLS winger. Guys that produce well and consistently there (Gallagher is hardly consistent there yet is he?) Do get picked in Europe. It's all hard to compare.

[ifk101]

But did he rip up L1 and produce against a Serie A side? He scored against Roma last night, a game CSKA lost 5-1 - score line alone suggests a class difference, hard to argue a player on the losing side produced for 90mins. Too many posts here are about lads scoring the night before and demanding inclusion in the squads. A goal catches headlines, but says little about their actual game and capability/ suitability for international football.

[Olé Olé]

But did he rip up L1 and produce against a Serie A side? He scored against Roma last night, a game CSKA lost 5-1 - score line alone suggests a class difference, hard to argue a player on the losing side produced for 90mins. Too many posts here are about lads scoring the night before and demanding inclusion in the squads. A goal catches headlines, but says little about their actual game and capability/ suitability for international football.

He scored 14 goals in a season in League One. He scored a goal against Roma. I'm not demanding inclusion. I'm trying to add balance to your points. These are fair counter arguments

[ifk101]

He scored 14 goals in a season in League One. He scored a goal against Roma. I'm not demanding inclusion. I'm trying to add balance to your points. These are fair counter arguments

I haven't said you personally are demanding inclusion. You did write in your initial post "I'm not pushing for his inclusion". My initial post was a counter to the statement that Carey is playing at a higher level than half the squad (midfielders) recently selected - which is questionable at best. This statement was made on the back of the goal headline from the previous night. But as you said, you have not seen Carey play and that's basically the point being made here. Demands for callups are being made on headlines.

[Stuttgart88]

He's scoring goals which is important and as Tets said, yesterday's was quality. I suspect his ship has sailed though. I'm more excited by Scully tbh. Yes, he's doing well "only" in League One but his eye for goal is proven and let's face it, if Idah and Connolly were parachuted down to that level right now would either be doing as well? Scully is probably doing better than Parrott at the same level - and maybe a worse team? - and Parrott is starting for us.

In general, I just don't think we have the luxury of looking down our noses at the Bulgarian league or League One these days. He'd probably already have 7 or 8 goals for NI at this stage if he was one of theirs.

[tetsujin1979]

Nominated for Goal of the Week
1438801961487306755

[ifk101]

He's scoring goals which is important and as Tets said, yesterday's was quality. I suspect his ship has sailed though. I'm more excited by Scully tbh. Yes, he's doing well "only" in League One but his eye for goal is proven and let's face it, if Idah and Connolly were parachuted down to that level right now would either be doing as well? Scully is probably doing better than Parrott at the same level - and maybe a worse team? - and Parrott is starting for us.

In general, I just don't think we have the luxury of looking down our noses at the Bulgarian league or League One these days. He'd probably already have 7 or 8 goals for NI at this stage if he was one of theirs.

Sure, judge the player on individual merits rather than the club address.

Carey played 1217mins domestically (league) for CSKA last season, averaging 50mins per appearance over 25 league appearances. 1 goal scored, sub’ed in 11 times, sub’ed out 6 times, unused sub 4 times.

In contrast, and using Jamie McGrath’s name as it was in bold in the initial post and they are in the same position, McGrath played 2840 league mins for St Mirren, 35 appearances with an average time of pitch of 81 minutes. Ten goals to his name, sub’ed in just once/ sub’ed out 10 times. Used in every game when available.

Scotland is a higher ranked league than Bulgaria, and the stats above show McGrath is a key player for St Mirren while Carey is more a squad player (goal against Roma aside).

And yes, Anthony Scully can be something with time. Just looking for more reasoning as to why player X should be called up than “he scored last night”.

[Eirambler]

Best of luck to Graham Carey and everything, but honestly is isn't (or at least shouldn't be) within a mile of the Ireland squad, especially given his age.

[Stuttgart88]

Sure, judge the player on individual merits rather than the club address.

Carey played 1217mins domestically (league) for CSKA last season, averaging 50mins per appearance over 25 league appearances. 1 goal scored, sub’ed in 11 times, sub’ed out 6 times, unused sub 4 times.

In contrast, and using Jamie McGrath’s name as it was in bold in the initial post and they are in the same position, McGrath played 2840 league mins for St Mirren, 35 appearances with an average time of pitch of 81 minutes. Ten goals to his name, sub’ed in just once/ sub’ed out 10 times. Used in every game when available.

Scotland is a higher ranked league than Bulgaria, and the stats above show McGrath is a key player for St Mirren while Carey is more a squad player (goal against Roma aside).

And yes, Anthony Scully can be something with time. Just looking for more reasoning as to why player X should be called up than “he scored last night”.I thought he had more goals to his name on that. Twitter must recycle a lot of his old goals :)

[Exgrad]

has anyone here seen Carey play much?

[mark12345]

Let’s face it, we’re giving opportunities to people playing at a lower level. I’d be happy to take a look at him, but maybe it’s just too late as we look to Euro 2024 campaign.

Perhaps at 32 he just doesn’t fall into the rebuild.

True, he would not be part of the rebuild at this stage. But I just wish he'd been given a chance before now. I've followed his career since he was at Plymouth. Looked like a really decent player but typical of us (as was the case with Wes) we wait until it's too late.

[mark12345]

Is he playing at a higher level? The Bulgarian league is ranked 24th in Europe, Scotland is ranked 9th for comparison.

If the Championship and L1 were standalone leagues, the Championship would certainly rank higher than the Bulgarian league (look at the finances), and arguably L1 would also rank higher.

Wouldn't bother me if he was playing in the Leinster Senior League. If he has the tools for the job then give him a shot. Under normal circumstances, Jack Byrne, as a LOI player should be nowhere near the national team, but he is because of our utter lack of creativity in that department. So why not Carey?