Simon Cox (F Western Sydney Wanderers b.1987)

[SkStu]

Nice comments from Cox referring to "my country." Interesting point regarding 17 of the 23 being born in Ireland. Further to that, I'm aware that Foley's first choice was always going to be Ireland and McGeady chose us from a young age too. Walter's connection is less than tenuous with an Irish mother. As regards Westwood, St. Ledger and Cox who rely on grandparents (like McGeady), they have always performed with great commitment.

From the 2002 World Cup squad, 11 out of 23 were English-born.

6 former league of Ireland players in the squad too. Just throwing it out there... :)

[magicman]

I think its great that so many of our squad is Irish born, particularly when you compare it to the make up of the 1990 and 1994 squads. Is the fact that there are more Irish born players in the squad an indirect result of the successes of 88/90 and 94 - you can be damn sure it is!!

I agree with this but could it not also have a lot to do with what Yard of Pace said above you? Ireland is a country people leave? There was a large number of people who left the country in the early 60's & 80's, as a result, in 2002 a lot of our players were born abroad or their grandparents left in the 60's.

Same thing now, things have been better from the 90's onwards, 20 odd years later and there is a greater number of our team born at home. It would be interesting to see the make up of our squad in 20 years time. With mass emigration for the last few years(plus the grandparents who left in the eighties), could our squad in 20 years time see a larger number of 2G players?

[BonnieShels]

I think the example of Balkan players is a good demonstration of how "nationality" is different to birthplace.
Though all of the 3 players above were born in Yugoslavia pre-civil war and the fact that they were born in places that were either majority Serb or Bosniak, I don't think there's a doubt were their loyalties ever lay.

[Junior]

I like Cox and have no issues with 2G Irish playing for us, though I prefer them to be in the minority as they are now, but "playing for my country" is quite a departure from what he said a couple of years ago.

Hey Stutts, out of interest would you care to ellaborate on that point? I know you dont have issues with 2g/3g from your many sensible posts on the matter and being 2g yourself but why would your preferencce be 2g's to be in the minority?

Less ammunition for the 'plastic' paddy bashers?
Reflects a better situation in Ireland? Economic, less emigration etc...
Reflects better grass roots footballing development in Ireland

Something else?

[Stuttgart88]

Back in a previous incarnation of this debate - p4 of the Zak Knight (sic) thread from 2004 (http://foot.ie/threads/18579-Zak-Knight-Irish/page4?highlight=Ghostbusters) - I posted the following (I don't know how to link specific posts):

generally I'd like the bulk of our squad to have no ambiguity about their Irishness. A rule of thumb, not a hard & fast rule I suppose.

To which green goblin replied:

i think you're right. there's a real temptation for us to get very dogmatic about this issue, and it's not a clear cut thing at all.

Bill Murray to Sigouney Weaver in in Ghostbusters: "I have a rule never to sleep with posessed women....Well, it's more of a guideline really".

I thought it was a great response.

But to answer your question: less ammo for the bashers and a better reflection on Irish football.

As a Glasgow-born (but Dublin reared) father to 2 London born and reared children I'm not exactly going to be dogmatically opposed to plastics joining the cause. In fact the best thing about the away trips is seeing just how closely the plastics identify and support us. Brilliant stuff.

[Stuttgart88]

being 2g yourself I'm not exactly 2G!

My family is Irish going back virtually forever but my dad was working in Glasgow for 4 years and I was born during his stint there. The family moved home in 1970 when I was 3 and then I moved to London for work and family reasons in 1999.

[Junior]

As a rule of thumb;)........with the 2g/3g supporters you find there is no ambiguity about their irishness - otherwise they wouldnt be in Yerevan, Skopje, timbuktoo supporting the BIG. With the 2g/3g players who have represented us it isnt nearly as clear cut. For every KK there are many who have only discovered or cared about their irishness once the topic of international football is raised.

If the 2g/3g players were more of the mindset of their equivalent fans then I would be jumping in to bed with Sigourney without hesitation.......

[Junior]

I'm not exactly 2G!

My family is Irish going back virtually forever but my dad was working in Glasgow for 4 years and I was born during his stint there. The family moved home in 1970 when I was 3 and then I moved to London for work and family reasons in 1999.

Here fishy fishy......

I know I know but I thought I'd slip that in:D. It obviously matters to you though (the distinction I mean). You mentioned 'Dublin reared' in your first post, you followed it up with this one. You're 2G no biggy surely? Are we 2nd G Irish or 2nd Class Irish?

[Stuttgart88]

I guess my point was that 2g / 3g fans show that they can be as committed as any Irish born and bred fan (probably more than most) so the same can apply to the players too. However, the lower the 2g and 3g representation is, the less ambiguity exists about their motivation for playing or their commitment. Which more or less is covered in the "less ammo for the bashers" bit above.

[Stuttgart88]

Are we 2nd Class Irish?Depends whether you're from Dublin!

[paul_oshea]

HAs leon best really been around 8 years? Sorry i just picked that up from your link stutts.

[paul_oshea]

Here fishy fishy......

I know I know but I thought I'd slip that in:D. It obviously matters to you though (the distinction I mean). You mentioned 'Dublin reared' in your first post, you followed it up with this one. You're 2G no biggy surely? Are we 2nd G Irish or 2nd Class Irish?

I think he likes to throw it in to give him more authority in these debates.

[Junior]

Depends whether you're from Dublin!

No. Phew, So Im okay so, First Class Fenian.

[geysir]

As a rule of thumb;)........with the 2g/3g supporters you find there is no ambiguity about their irishness - otherwise they wouldnt be in Yerevan, Skopje, timbuktoo supporting the BIG. With the 2g/3g players who have represented us it isnt nearly as clear cut. For every KK there are many who have only discovered or cared about their irishness once the topic of international football is raised.

If the 2g/3g players were more of the mindset of their equivalent fans then I would be jumping in to bed with Sigourney without hesitation.......
On a point of order.
1st generation refers to the 1st generation born in the foreign land - one of their parents is Irish born.
2nd generation are the children of the 1st generation - one of their grandparents is Irish born.
At least, afaia.

[paul_oshea]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Immigrant_generations

Good old wiki backs up your point.

I think the distinction here is when users use the term generation, they mean like they might say the older generation. So 2nd generation would mean their parents were born in Ireland, and they were born in England for example.

In the states where they try re-enforce their lineage, ive seen it even go back to granny and grandad as still being 1st generation. But generally i've noticted anyway that in proper use over their 2nd generation would be grandparents.

[Junior]

On a point of order.
1st generation refers to the 1st generation born in the foreign land - one of their parents is Irish born.
2nd generation are the children of the 1st generation - one of their grandparents is Irish born.
At least, afaia.

You (We) have been saved by a technicality Stutts :D


Where I come from 2g has always be used as term to describe those born in a foreign land to irish parents

[tetsujin1979]

so, we're in agreement then. He's back up for Keane, and has a chance of getting a run on the right?

[Carrigaline]

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/swansea-target-simon-cox-west-834863

Cox linked with a £2 million move to Swansea. I think it would be a great move for him, as it's pretty clear that Cox is a talented footballer who needs to get games under his belt.

[EastTerracer]

WBA exercised a one-year extension in his contract today. Presumably, it is just their way of ensuring he doesn't leave on a free transfer but perhaps they are just waiting for a new manager to come in and make his own decisions.

Keith Andrews short-term contract is up at the end of June but the club says they may still make a new offer to him. Again, it may well depend on when a new manager is appointed.

http://www.wba.co.uk/page/News/0,,10366~2774175,00.html

[Carrigaline]

Blackburn are interested in Simon Cox - http://www.joe.ie/football/football-news/well-endowed-blackburn-to-launch-premier-league-comeback-bid-with-best-cox-partnership-0026946-1

Disappointing if he ends up dropping down a division, although it's understandable that he wants a decent run of games.

[SkStu]

Best Cox up front?

Thats an intimidating prospect...

[Junior]

Linked with Blackburn again today....

SIMON COX is considering a €2.4m move to Blackburn Rovers after sitting out West Brom's friendly against Barnsley on Saturday.

Negotiations are ongoing between the clubs after an initial offer for the Ireland striker was rejected, but they are believed to be moving closer to a deal.

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/premier-league/cox-ponders-move-from-baggies-as-blackburn-table-24m-bid-3182881.html

[dr_peepee]

Apparently it was Swansea that put the bid in for him. Not Blackburn!

[cornflakes]

Signed for Nottingham Forest. Another squad member playing in the championship but at least he'll get more games

[tricky_colour]

Signed for Nottingham Forest. Another squad member playing in the championship but at least he'll get more games

Doubly interesting with me being from Nottingham, Forest if you did not know have some knew 'wealthy' owners. This seems like a sensible move from them, it does not look like they are going to throw pots of money at the club but rather try and take it to the next level and see how it goes.

So Cox seems like the right sort of player for them, not too expensive I would imagine, Swansea were after him for £2 million.

So it looks a good deal for all parties, as you say he will get more games and it will improves Forests squad, which includes the mighty Andy Reid!

[Irish_Praha]

Doubly interesting with me being from Nottingham, Forest if you did not know have some knew 'wealthy' owners. This seems like a sensible move from them, it does not look like they are going to throw pots of money at the club but rather try and take it to the next level and see how it goes.

So Cox seems like the right sort of player for them, not too expensive I would imagine, Swansea were after him for £2 million.

So it looks a good deal for all parties, as you say he will get more games and it will improves Forests squad, which includes the mighty Andy Reid!

Would agree with that; as both an Ireland and Forest fan I am happy enough with this move.

[OwlsFan]

He scored a beauty last night. We'll now see this season whether he has the ability Trapp thinks he has. We were never going to find out as he warmed the bench for WBA and by the odd cameo appearance for us.

[tetsujin1979]

goal online here: http://www.101greatgoals.com/gvideos/huddersfield-1-nottingham-forest-1/

[BonnieShels]

Saw it on SSN. Very nice goal. Keep it coming Simon.

[Carrigaline]

Provides a nice assist to Andy Reid to get Forest a goal.

[SkStu]

Goal for Cox


Anything Maynor Figueroa can do, Simon Cox can do better (arguably). The Forest striker chests a long ball down before setting himself and blasting a shot into the top corner of the Wigan net from 30 yards. Forest have a glimmer of hope with a very timely screamer.

[Supreme feet]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EyKaRob23Aw

[tricky_colour]

Had been singing the praise of Forest but the went 2-0 down, Cox came on 60 mins and they got the second on 66 mins.
Then Cox got one back, lobbed the keeper I think, the commentator is singing his praises "what a difference he has made"
So Forest 2-1 down and got it all to do.


"Cox#s was a world class goal"

Can't understand why they didn't starts Cox.

I mean sub at Forest is not the pinnacle of ones career, perhaps he was injured, I think someone picked up
a knock in the Oman game, or was that someone else?

[tetsujin1979]

off the bench to score against Birmingham

[Charlie Darwin]

Had been singing the praise of Forest but the went 2-0 down, Cox came on 60 mins and they got the second on 66 mins.
Then Cox got one back, lobbed the keeper I think, the commentator is singing his praises "what a difference he has made"
So Forest 2-1 down and got it all to do.


"Cox#s was a world class goal"

Can't understand why they didn't starts Cox.
He was injured on Tuesday, remember? I'd imagine O'Driscoll would have preferred not to have had to use him at all.

[tricky_colour]

2-2 Come on your reds, 2 mins to go.

Keith Fahey is on the pitch fro Birmingham came on in 79th min.

They are really raving about the Cox goal I must try and find it.

[Stuttgart88]

Just saw it on Sky. Really good goal, Bergkamp-esque, although controlling the cross with his right rather than his left cost him a couple of style marks in my book.

[tricky_colour]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9GbLVMVWNr8

His goal but a poor video quality, it's a very long ball played into him I think perhaps 40+ yards but can't tell from video.


See it better here.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9wD2yaWcOU

[pineapple stu]

That's a stunning goal.

I like the little GAA pick up after too. :)

[DannyInvincible]

Nice. :D

[Colbert Report]

Candidate for Irish goal of the season, unreal control.

[geysir]

That's a brilliant goal.
Trap was spot on with his prognosis ('only a flesh wound') of the Cox injury, after he looked to have shipped a season ending injury.

[BonnieShels]

Super goal. Fair dues Coxy.

[CraftyToePoke]

Just seen it on the Football League Show. Special goal without doubt. Superb.

[Fixer82]

Lovely little GAA pick-up afterwards as well.
Galway might give him a call up for next year's Connacht championships.
They did it with Mick Byrne

[Fixer82]

Check out this goal from him a while back

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qy0YuNuPrhw&feature=related

[Adrianovic]

I was sat in the stand behind the goal where Cox scored. I would have to say it is the second best goal I have seen in the flesh (behind McGugan's insane free kick against Ipswich the other season).

Cox was on the bench due to the knock he picked up against Oman, as has been mentioned. He's pretty much already established as first choice striker but will be rotated with Dexter Blackstock and Billy Sharp to an extent.

He's looked the business so far, his work rate is very impressive and the way he brings other players into the game.

[jbyrne]

Check out this goal from him a while back

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qy0YuNuPrhw&feature=related

dont care what level its at that is a class goal, pure class

[Olé Olé]

Cox strikes me as one of these players that if he had been nurtured at his original club instead of dropping down divisions on loan and the permanently to Swindon he may have developed even better. He clearly has raw talent, awareness and quality finishing. Reading was his hometown club. I wouldn't be surprised to see him back there. He's certainly better than Noel Hunt, Simon Church and Adam Le Fondre.

[tricky_colour]

Check out this goal from him a while back

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qy0YuNuPrhw&feature=related

Wow that's amazing, even better than his recent one basically a carbon copy but on a larger scale.
I always saw Cox as a rather unspectacular player, maybe I will have to change that view.

He may well be the next Lee Trundle ;)