Liam Lawrence

[Stuttgart88]

Yellow card for D69er!

[Drumcondra 69er]

Yellow card for D69er!

:D Ha ha! I did correct myself in the Nigeria thread once I posted the squad, just didn't get time to get back to this one before going off line!

[Noelys Guitar]

Looks like Liam could be starting on Saturday ahead of Stephen Hunt. Surprised if that happens. Lawerence looked good against SA and scored a great goal. Plus Hunt was taken off against Cyprus.

[geysir]

It would be a departure of sorts from a tried and sometimes trusted wide midfield.

Brady was relatively low key though

"He (Trapattoni) is trying a few things but it’s a bit early in the week to be making conclusions about who will definitely play,”
“He’s had two games for us so far, though, one against Nigeria where he played okay and then he played very well against South Africa,” added Brady. “And he’s obviously in the manager’s plans.”

[foureyes]

Looks like Liam could be starting on Saturday ahead of Stephen Hunt. Surprised if that happens. Lawerence looked good against SA and scored a great goal. Plus Hunt was taken off against Cyprus.

but then hunt was very good in italy. i reckon he'll start hunt but bring on lawrence after an hour if things aren't going to plan.

hunt tends to run out of steam a bit aswell.

[paul_oshea]

We are going to be lacking a lot of creativity in this game.....

[Noelys Guitar]

We are going to be lacking a lot of creativity in this game.....

Bring in Delap I say

[seanfhear]

Bring in Delap I say
Ireland should be allowed "special teams" like american football.

Delap would be "Awesome" for the throw-in setpieces.

In these times of unemployment FIFA should introduce special teams to football to create employment (bobs your uncle recession over)
The sin bin would also create 1 job i.e.someone to look after the sin bin.

Its this kind of thinking that will create jobs or was it that kind of thinking from goverments that created the mess.:p

[Tipp Townie]

The sin bin would also create 1 job i.e.someone to look after the sin bin.


You mean like, empty the bins, keep the refreshments topped up? Sweep the floor every now and again?

[Tipp Townie]

empty the bins

Not the sin bin itself of course..:o

[paul_oshea]

Ireland should be allowed "special teams" like american football.

Delap would be "Awesome" for the throw-in setpieces.

In these times of unemployment FIFA should introduce special teams to football to create employment (bobs your uncle recession over)
The sin bin would also create 1 job i.e.someone to look after the sin bin.

Its this kind of thinking that will create jobs or was it that kind of thinking from goverments that created the mess.:p

Isn't that communism?! 30 drivers and 1 truck :p

[Noelys Guitar]

Isn't that communism?! 30 drivers and 1 truck :p

Aaaaah. We pretend to work and they pretend to pay us. Does anyone else expect to see plenty of snow on the ball Saturday ala Cyprus away? I do. And it might work. Mucho bustling. Less skill coming up.

[aidz1]

Hasnt been getting his game with Stoke since the last international games.
Wont benefit him at all for the French games, could now be 4th in the pecking order for a wide midfield place..

[irishfan86]

Hasnt been getting his game with Stoke since the last international games.
Wont benefit him at all for the French games, could now be 4th in the pecking order for a wide midfield place..

As we saw with Whelan earlier in the campaign, club appearances are only part of the equation for Trap.

I won't be surprised to see Lawrence on the right, and Duff on the left, but honestly I have no clue who will start on the wing out of the three. They're all of a similar quality but have different attributes.

[geysir]

I read somewhere (after the Italian game) that Lawrence got a negative reaction to one of those flu jabs and therefore was some way off with fitness levels.

[joema]

Hasnt been getting his game with Stoke since the last international games.
Wont benefit him at all for the French games, could now be 4th in the pecking order for a wide midfield place..

Anybody remember how many games Jason McAteer was getting for Blackburn, before we played the Dutch? ;)

[Crosby87]

I thought Liam looked good for Stoke today. Taking Corners, free kicks, looking lively.

[Mayo Red]

I thought Liam looked good for Stoke today. Taking Corners, free kicks, looking lively.

Yep same as, I thought he had a decent game today. Liverpool just can't buy a bit of luck lately though!

[theworm2345]

Apparently wants to leave Stoke in favor of Wolves
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12874_6168866,00.html

[Colbert Report]

Apparently wants to leave Stoke in favor of Wolves
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12874_6168866,00.html

That would be a great move for him. Hunt on the left, Lawrence on the right and Doyle up front.

[theworm2345]

That would be a great move for him. Hunt on the left, Lawrence on the right and Doyle up front.
Thats probably pretty hopeful considering theres a decent chance none of the three will be there next year :)

[Irish_Praha]

That would be a great move for him. Hunt on the left, Lawrence on the right and Doyle up front.

Only problem is that he would be in direct competition with Foley for RMF.
He wouldn't be guaranteed a starting place. Unless Foley goes back to RB where he did so well in the Championship two seasons ago.
I have to admit I dont know if a combination of Lawrence and Foley on the right would be any better than their current options and if Lawrence would have any other decent competition for RMF.

[dr_peepee]

I think he should still move on from Stoke though... He's good enough to play more frequently for another premiership side. Stokes midfield is really less about what they can do on the ball.

[tetsujin1979]

linked with Wolves, since he played under Mick at Sunderland. Stephen Hunt also linked to Wanderers.

[Junior]

Linked with............you've guessed it...Celtic.



Celtic bid £1.5m for Stoke City midfielder Liam Lawrence as Neil Lennon lines up Joe Ledley and Jimmy Bullard for Parkhead / DAILY MAIL

Celtic have made a £1.5million offer for Stoke City midfielder Liam Lawrence as incoming boss Neil Lennon stepped up his rebuilding plans.

Sportsmail understands the Parkhead club have now opened formal negotiations with their English Premier League counterparts over the Republic of Ireland international.

Stoke chairman Peter Coates is believed to be looking for in excess of £2m for the 28-year-old winger, who is keen to move to Celtic if a deal can be struck.

Lawrence could become the first signing under Lennon - whose confirmation as manager is still expected before the end of the week - but faces competition for that honour.

[seanfhear]

Sadly I do not believe that Celtic are playing at high enough of a level to be providing players for International duty.

It will not be good for the Irish International team for too many of players to be playing for Celtic.

It saddens me to say it but unfortunately it is true.

[Sullivinho]

Sadly I do not believe that Celtic are playing at high enough of a level to be providing players for International duty.

It will not be good for the Irish International team for too many of players to be playing for Celtic.

It saddens me to say it but unfortunately it is true.

Agree completely. The English Championship is a higher standard than the SPL.

The Stoke bench is no kind of standard at all though so I guess it's a case of beggars, choosers etc.

[Junior]

On a side note, was interesting to see the Blackpool v Cardiff playoff game featured plenty of former SPL players some of whom had not exactly set the world alight in Scotland.

Crainey
Adam
Dobbie
Burke
McCormack
Marshall
McNaughton

There may be more from that game Im not sure..

I dont think there is a fat lot of difference between the standard in the SPL (poor I know) and the Championship.

I really like Lawrence based on what I have seen of him to date (and that is mainly in a Green shirt). No shortage of effort, decent cross, a bit of dig and I think the ability to carry out the managers instructions to the letter. I hope he gets a good move this summer.

[wrestler313]

hopefully he goes to wolves, can build up a nice understanding with doyle

[Sullivinho]

Go on Mick, you know you want to :)

[aidinho]

aye go on mick please. you are not good enough for the Celtic.

[boovidge]

That's a pretty big insult considering Celtic were soundly beaten by Ross County. Lawrence would do a great job for them imo. I'd rather he went to Wolves though.

[wrestler313]

That's a pretty big insult considering Celtic were soundly beaten by Ross County. Lawrence would do a great job for them imo. I'd rather he went to Wolves though.


i feel the same, the prem is a lot higher quality than the spl. okay maybe the old firm matches are alright but he won't get any better going up against kilmarnock, inverness, etc every week

[Diarmo]

Lawrence is a good solid player who'll do really well in the SPL. In his last season in the championship he scored 14 goals, and I'd argue that the Championship is a higher standard than the SPL. Good luck to him.

[elroy]

Aldinho, meet yapster, yapster meet aldinho. Or maybe ye are one of the same.

Lawrence has always played quite well for us (which is primarily what im concerned about) and to me has looked a decent hard working footballer, no more no less. He hasnt had much opportunities with Stoke this year so would like to see him move on but hopefully to another premiership club.

Hate the way any single irish player becomes available, celitc is always one of the main options. Celtic are a shambles at present, a very very average team who were blown away in their league that another average team. Players of a sub standard level, the likes of Fortune, Boruc, Samaras, Maloney etc Im not saying lawrence is a million miles better than them but I think there are better options in more competitive leagues for him.

[Stuttgart88]

Anyone denying that Lawrence has been a really valuable addition to our squad (and starting team) is utterly deluded.

[dantheman]

I would be sympathetic to Celtic, would have been a massive fan in the past.
But my priorities are the national team, and secondly the domestic club team.
For example, I would like to see any LOI (or Irish League, even Linfield!) beat them in European competition if drawn together.

As such, I hope Lawrence does not make the switch to Scotland at this time

[wrestler313]

I would be sympathetic to Celtic, would have been a massive fan in the past.
But my priorities are the national team, and secondly the domestic club team.
For example, I would like to see any LOI (or Irish League, even Linfield!) beat them in European competition if drawn together.

As such, I hope Lawrence does not make the switch to Scotland at this time

feel exactly the same. why support the irish national team and then a scottish club? it doesn't make any sense

[boovidge]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/scotland/8720865.stm

radio interview regarding possible Celtic move.

[Charlie Darwin]

Obviously Celtic and Rangers are better than most or all Championship, but you don't judge a league by its best teams - you judge it by its median teams, or even its worst. Falkirk and Callie Thistle would be a big step down from Peterborough and Milwall, while Hamilton and Hearts wouldn't hold a candle to the likes of Preston and Ipswich.

One of the main reasons SPL players don't often make the leap to the EPL is because they're not playing the standard of opposition every game. Celtic and Rangers can up their game when playing each other and the occasional European match (less frequently now), but players like Barry Robson and Scott McDonald have no experience of playing top-class internationals every week like Aiden would face in the Premier League.

[wrestler313]

On a completely seperate and cynical sidenote.......
St Ledger, Green, Reid and Lawrence have been linked with Celtic. Is there any possibility, that these lads, having never lived in Ireland, exaggerate the link between Celtic and ireland in their head, and are somehow catalysing these rumours to get themselvese more entrenched in the Irish supporters mind? Its not cynical......

actually a really good point, first i've heard of anything like it mentioned. maybe they make the connection that all irish support celtic?

[Sullivinho]

Lawrence and St. Ledger have certainly been vocal in their desire to go there. 'Dream move', 'I'll walk there' etc. etc. I reckon Sean in particular would consider the move indicative of his Irishness.

Personally, Lawrence's gut-busting display against Italy does more to entrench him in my mind than seeing him wear 100 Celtic shirts.

Anyhow, they'll have to get Aiden a crash course in Russian literature to afford all these other lads!

[Eminence Grise]

Anyhow, they'll have to get Aiden a crash course in Russian literature to afford all these other lads!

He should start with Fyodor Crosstoevsky. Might help him to think outside the box...(Incidentally, his works include A Little Hero, The Raw Youth, and The Insulted and Humiliated. No doubt some of the lads on Celtic Watch will have views of the relevance of these tomes to Aidan.)

Back on thread, Lawrence to Celtic would be good for both parties. He's not going to set the Premiership alight, nor are Celtic going to be able to afford somebody who does. But he's an affordable potential recruit who would strengthen their squad. In return, he gets a chance to play in Europe, which he is unlikely to do with Stoke.

[Colbert Report]

Right at the end of this article, Stoke deny any contact has been made by Celtic.

http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=795398&sec=transfers&cc=5901

[irishfan86]

Linked with Boro....would be a disappointing move I think. Surely he's good enough to play for one of the promoted teams at least?

That said, I think they will give a serious push for promotion, so what do I know?

[Sullivinho]

Linked with Boro...

It ain't good when your transfer rumours take a step down, nevermind doing it for real..

[elroy]

Better than sitting on the bench for the whole season with Stoke.

[seanfhear]

Linked with Boro....would be a disappointing move I think. Surely he's good enough to play for one of the promoted teams at least?

That said, I think they will give a serious push for promotion, so what do I know?
I would say that he definitely good enough to be a squad player with medium strength premiership club. He has done well for us since he came on the scene.

[OneRedArmy]

I would say that he definitely good enough to be a squad player with medium strength premiership club. He has done well for us since he came on the scene.Why would we want someone to be a squad player at any level?!

Not unlike any other player, whats best served for Ireland is him getting regular first team football at the highest level he can. And thats unlikely to be the Premiership unfortunately.

[tetsujin1979]

Lawrence set to sign for Celtic: http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/sport/editor-s-picks/liam-lawrence-set-for-leap-to-celtic-1.1046998