Jon Walters

[Drumcondra 69er]

excellant cameo from walters tonight. i'd start him in the playoff with cox

Can't see him and Cox playing together, both drop deep. I'd actually have Walters ahead of Cox despite Cox's MoM performance last night. Long and Walters for me but think that's unlikely. Big fan of Walters and have been for a while.

[Fixer82]

I thought he was excellent. His control from the hoof balls up to him was sublime at times and he didn't do much wrong. A serious contender for starting place now. poor old Shane long. Went from starting place V Slovakia to 4th choice striker last night. That's gotta hurt

[tetsujin1979]

myself and my mate I went to the game with both agreed when Doyle came on that Walters was the ideal player to have up front alone when down to ten men, he'll win the ball in the air, keep possession, and bring midfield into the play.
Which is pretty much what he did.

[chelsea]

real worker for the team.. and also hes good 4 a goal.! he is a real asset to the team, all we need know is trap to bring in james mccarthy or wes hoolahan in midfield for that bit of creativity.. arguably fahy could supply that spark also. steven reid at right back and john o shea partner dunne is another option i would look at but trap will never pick reid 4 the squad again after his row last year

[ger121]

I'd have Walters and Long start myself. Walters would be very strong at holding up the ball or laying off passes for Long. He is also a threat on goal himself. Ideally, you want two strikers who could score, as this gives the defence more to think about in the game.

[backstothewall]

I thought he was excellent. His control from the hoof balls up to him was sublime at times and he didn't do much wrong. A serious contender for starting place now. poor old Shane long. Went from starting place V Slovakia to 4th choice striker last night. That's gotta hurt

I reckon thats over simplistic. I would fully expect Long to start in the playoff. Trap like one striker sitting on the last defenders shoulder (Doyle/Long) and one to drop deep (Keane/Cox)

Walters is more in the Keane/Cox mode, but could conceivably do both jobs. I don't see him starting in the playoff unless something happens to Long between now and then. It'll be Keane & Long if they are both fit, or Cox and Long if they both make it. But if Keane is fit i reckon Walters will be on the bench before Cox.

[mark12345]

I thought he was excellent. His control from the hoof balls up to him was sublime at times and he didn't do much wrong. A serious contender for starting place now. poor old Shane long. Went from starting place V Slovakia to 4th choice striker last night. That's gotta hurt

Glad to see the outpouring of support for Walters. Glad to see that Trap finally recognizes that he needs the big man up front to validate our game (which more often than not is Route One). As for Walters himself - he was better at holding up the ball than Quinn, better at laying it off than Cascarino, and was as good as Stapleton at running at the opposition defence.

This happened in a must win game, with out qualification hopes on the line. So he's not overawed by the big occasion.

And all this in just ten minutes of football.

He's a locked on starter for the playoffs, and if Trap doesn't play him then his team deserves to lose.

[legendz]

I was impressed by Walters when he played earlier in the year. He seemed to do himself no favours at the end of last season. Had he turned up for Macedonia away, I think Trap might have given him the nod, as it was, it was Cox that benefited. I'm not one of these after the event people either, while I could accept calls for Long's inclusion, I called it before the game that Cox would do well.

[Metrostars]

He did fine but remember it was only for 10 minutes against a team who had played an hour down a man.

[tetsujin1979]

To be honest, I was equally impressed with him against Wales in February. Worked his socks off for the whole game, and despite not scoring I thought he was in the running for man of the match

[Manblue]

To be honest, I was equally impressed with him against Wales in February. Worked his socks off for the whole game, and despite not scoring I thought he was in the running for man of the match


He did well for the 10 mins he played, and deserves to start, but the talk here is a bit over the top, comparing him to quinn and stapleton after a couple of half performances,

[lionelhutz]

IMO the way Trap sees it is Keane, Cox and Walters for one starting spot and Doyle and Long for the other. Despite Cox doing well on Tuesday, I hope Walters has pushed ahead of him now. So if Keane is injured, Walters and Long to start for me.

[geysir]

He did well for the 10 mins he played, and deserves to start, but the talk here is a bit over the top, comparing him to quinn and stapleton after a couple of half performances,
You mean the person who claimed Walters was an all in one version of the best qualities of Quinn, Stapleton and Cascarino?

Was that over the top?

[Manblue]

You mean the person who claimed Walters was an all in one version of the best qualities of Quinn, Stapleton and Cascarino?

Was that over the top?

Yea apologies, wrong quote, although i saw it claimed in another thread he was MOTM aswell.....which is a a bit bizzarre too

[mark12345]

You mean the person who claimed Walters was an all in one version of the best qualities of Quinn, Stapleton and Cascarino?

Was that over the top?

I'm the person who DIDN'T claim Walters was an all in one version of Quinn, Stapleton and Cascarino. He has elements of all three. He was only on the pitch for ten minutes but he was a major thorn in the Armenians side for that amount of time.

He almost single handedly turned the tide back towards the Armenian goal at a time when they were running through us like water. If you remember he was able to take the long balls from defence on his chest and distribute them perfectly (something which is very rare in Trap's team of the present - usually Shane Long or Kevin Dolye are struggling to win the ball in the air). And he was able to find gaps in the Armenian defence with alarming regularity. He showed quite a lot in ten or twelve minutes on the pitch, and if he gets the nod against Estonia he'll be the perfect target man for Duff and McGeady from the wings.

All I'm saying is Walters' presence in attack papers over a lot of cracks we have in our midfield. Best use him home and away against Estonia. I have a feeling that Trap is going to go with him and Long / Cox in the absence of Robbie and Doyle.

[geysir]

You bypassed the sarcasm Mark, which was not directed at you.

[Manblue]

You bypassed the sarcasm Mark, which was not directed at you.


Who was it directed at then, unless im missing something?

[TrapAPony]

What a man. He has done it again today for Stoke v Fulham.

[Sullivinho]

I'm fully expecting a Keane/Cox and Long partnership next month but Walters' approach to, and success at hold-up play is impressive. I hadn't realised how irritating those speculative flick-ons had become until this guy appeared for ten minutes on tuesday night to showcase his radical 'cushion/control/retain' approach to long balls.

[Murfinator]

Purely on type of player, we need somebody who can do as Sullivinho said if we're to continue playing this long ball game. Our strategy right now for a long ball game doesn't make any sense and we really struggle in the possession stats as a result since 95% of our moves break down. Walters, Folan and perhaps Best can all play that role yet all were sidelined for poor attitudes for turning up to friendlies to which I support Traps omission of them. I'd welcome Walters given a chance in the team if and only if he's turned a corner with his attitude.

[mark12345]

Purely on type of player, we need somebody who can do as Sullivinho said if we're to continue playing this long ball game. Our strategy right now for a long ball game doesn't make any sense and we really struggle in the possession stats as a result since 95% of our moves break down. Walters, Folan and perhaps Best can all play that role yet all were sidelined for poor attitudes for turning up to friendlies to which I support Traps omission of them. I'd welcome Walters given a chance in the team if and only if he's turned a corner with his attitude.


All three big men sidlined for poor attitudes. Something in that perhaps? Maybe they were left out of the attacking moves on the training ground? Maybe they could see that Trap has no plans for them in his scheme?
Who knows? Might explain the poor attitude? Hopefully it's behind them now. Walters should start and Best deserves a place in squad.

[paul_oshea]

id be happy to wait and see how best gets on by the end of the season to be honest, still time to be in the Euros were we to qualify then.

Im not sure i see best as a consistent(long) form type player.

[geysir]

All three big men sidlined for poor attitudes. Something in that perhaps? Maybe they were left out of the attacking moves on the training ground? Maybe they could see that Trap has no plans for them in his scheme?Maybe that's a load of bull.

Who knows? Might explain the poor attitude? Most likely it doesn't.

Hopefully it's behind them now. Walters should start and Best deserves a place in squad.
With only 4 forwards in the squad, the competition for a squad place has seldom been hotter.

[Crosby87]

Great point Geysir. A little thought thing from Ireland fans, I humbly think, is the value of competiton for places on the squad.
"True Competition breeds success," said some dead guy of note. But it is true, especially for Euro 2012 squads, like ours.

[Strongbow10]

The more Walters plays the more Trap will like him I reckon. The main issue is his availability to play. If trap can count on him to show up even if carrying slight knocks then I reckon he will start alot of games.

He can hold it up, he can lead the line, he can run the channels, he will defend from the front, in essence he is perfect for this irish team. Walters is way ahead of Doyle in terms of form right now and dare i say it, there not much between them in terms of ability either. When you take away effort and enthusiasm from Doyles game there is not alot there.

We are decently stocked with Strikers right now so it looks good for the future. But for the love of god Trap, pick Leon Best in the squad instead of Andy Keogh.

[Fizzer]

[QUOTE=Strongbow10;1544978]He can hold it up, he can lead the line, he can run the channels, he will defend from the front, in essence he is perfect for this irish team. Walters is way ahead of Doyle in terms of form right now and dare i say it, there not much between them in terms of ability either. When you take away effort and enthusiasm from Doyles game there is not alot there.

There bloody is a lot there, including a fantastic ability to beat the first man nearly every time he has the ball. Doylers a bit off form, yeah but he's a wonderful player. Surely he's allowed a rough patch.

[Strongbow10]

[QUOTE=Strongbow10;1544978]He can hold it up, he can lead the line, he can run the channels, he will defend from the front, in essence he is perfect for this irish team. Walters is way ahead of Doyle in terms of form right now and dare i say it, there not much between them in terms of ability either. When you take away effort and enthusiasm from Doyles game there is not alot there.

There bloody is a lot there, including a fantastic ability to beat the first man nearly every time he has the ball. Doylers a bit off form, yeah but he's a wonderful player. Surely he's allowed a rough patch.

ah we will just have to agree to differ. Doyle is a good player, he has his merits, but he has his limitations aswell in fairness.

When his work ethic is spot on he is a real asset. When he looks disinterested and frustrated like he has in his last few games for Ireland then his lack of goal threat comes under real scrutiny I feel.

Whatever about Robbie, he gets slated for some of his performances but he provides crucial goals at times. If Doyle isn't scoring he better be working his ass off, and he hasn't looked himself for the last 3-4 games.

Walters is the form player right now and its up to him to make that spot his.

[tricky_colour]

Walters just scored a peno for stoke against Newcastle it's now 1-2.
It was quite funny, he really leathered it right at the keeper who only just managed to get out of the way.
Demba Ba got the other two.
He just got a 3rd (peno) so now 1-3.

[geysir]

It was one awful game to watch. The 1/2 time entertainment came via the Romanian tv stream which showed the fan attack on a Steaua player and the resulting mayhem.

[Acornvilla]

I quite enjoyed it actually!

[the bear]

walters really has looked impressive recently, i wonder will trap be thinking of giving him any serious playing time in the playoffs after he cameo against armenia and subsequent form

[Acornvilla]

walters really has looked impressive recently, i wonder will trap be thinking of giving him any serious playing time in the playoffs after he cameo against armenia and subsequent form

Well it looks like robbie will be fit, so that rules cox out, no doyle and injured long points to robbie/walters front two methinks for the first leg

[the bear]

Well it looks like robbie will be fit, so that rules cox out, no doyle and injured long points to robbie/walters front two methinks for the first leg

like the sound of that, but did he not start cox and robbie in the macedonia away match, whats to say he wouldn't do it again

[back of the net]

like the sound of that, but did he not start cox and robbie in the macedonia away match, whats to say he wouldn't do it again

Logically I would pair Keane with Walters, but as you say Keane and Cox were paired together in Macedonia, so cant see Trap starting with anything other than those 2 up front

[Stuttgart88]

Yep, that's how I see it too. I'd pick Walters all day long, but I think trap favours Cox.

[theworm2345]

Penalty to Stoke after Caldwell spread his arms to block a Cameron Jerome header. Walters steps up and powers the penalty low to Al-Habsi's right...1-1 and Wigan down to 10 men.

Just picked up an assist on Stoke's second. Great interplay between Stoke's front three...Crouch knocks it forward, Walters nods on to Jerome who provides a great finish from a tight angle.

2-2 now though, crazy few minutes.

[Paddy Garcia]

Great interview with Walters in the Irish Post - just read from 1st week of December.

Speaks absolutely volumes about the man as he took decisions to forgo big wages to drop divisions for family reasons - explains his years out of the limelight.

Also had not appreciated he was also a victim of a Givens grudge with the U21s.

Can't find a link - but if you can locate its a very good and insightful article.

[Charlie Darwin]

It doesn't seem to be online. Can you scan it?

[Paddy Garcia]

It doesn't seem to be online. Can you scan it?

Cant load (size restriction) a version which is readable - I can email if you pp me.

[theworm2345]

Cant load (size restriction) a version which is readable - I can email if you pp me.
You can make a thumbnail or just link to an image.
http://tinypic.com/

[Paddy Garcia]

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=2m35klh&s=5

[Irish_Praha]

Did Walters not drop out of a friendly squad last year because his wife was giving birth? Many of us, including me, questioned his commitment at the time but after reading the above article I can't blame him for wanting to be there for his wife.

[Charlie Darwin]

I think the writer has confused two issues there. He missed the Carling Cup game as his wife was giving birth. He missed an FA Cup tie with the vomiting bug a few months earlier, before he joined Stoke.

[geysir]

Well done Paddy, it's a very good read.
We're suckers for a story of an honest pro, responsible family man, loves and respects his mother, knows his roots, knocked down by Givens & Keane only to rise again and now standing taller than ever.

[Charlie Darwin]

We could probably field an entire team of honest pros, responsible family man who love and respect their mothers, and were knocked down by Givens or Keane (or both) only to rise again and are now standing taller than ever.

[Sullivinho]

I already meet 75% of those criteria and have no reticence about crossing Don or Roy. The dream lives on!

[Olé Olé]

The story is great. I just wish he had gotten a cap earlier on, during his time at Ipswich when he was playing well and the offers from the Premiership clubs were coming in. Still, he hasn't missed any major tournaments.

[geysir]

We could probably field an entire team of honest pros, responsible family man who love and respect their mothers, and were knocked down by Givens or Keane (or both) only to rise again and are now standing taller than ever.
:dunno:
Okay, name them, fulfilling all of the above, but your example would have to be knocked down by both Givens and Keane (as I wrote) and are now in the team or knocking hard on the door.
I now contend that Walters is unique, the only one that has bounced back from that type of adversity to a stronger position, both in club and international profile :)

[elroy]

Havent read the article yet but given his form, the goals he gets and what he offers to us up front, he has to be on the plane to Poland. Dare I say this but I think he deserves to be in the squad ahead of Doyle based on form and what they offer in the forward line.

[Charlie Darwin]

elroy, the Euros aren't for another six months. "Form" is totally irrelevant at the moment and it would be very unusual if both he and Doyle weren't on the plane.

:dunno:
Okay, name them, fulfilling all of the above, but your example would have to be knocked down by both Givens and Keane (as I wrote) and are now in the team or knocking hard on the door.
I now contend that Walters is unique, the only one that has bounced back from that type of adversity to a stronger position, both in club and international profile :)
A good list of all the people Givens has alienated would help me narrow it down. I'm sure there's a thread somewhere with these stats.