Liam Lawrence

[DannyInvincible]

According to ESPN, Lawrence is no longer interested in a move to Celtic as the whole process has dragged on too long: http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id=813477&sec=transfers&cc=5739


[T]he Republic of Ireland international says that, while he has been eager to join Celtic, he now feels he owes it to Stoke to stay put.

"The idea of a move to Celtic was really appealing at the end of last season," he told the Scottish Sun. "It has gone on for so long now and they have bought a lot of players.

"Clearly, they've had plenty of opportunity to come and get me but for whatever reason it hasn't happened. Stoke have been brilliant with me, stating they were prepared to give me the chance of a move if the conditions were right.

"I really wanted the opportunity to play for Celtic. If they had come in for me I would've been happy to go. With things dragging on, it has given me time to reconsider everything.

"I have had a brilliant pre-season with Stoke, I've really enjoyed it, and now I feel I've got to be fair with them. I feel the best thing for me now is to stay and try to play in the Premier League."

He added: "Of course it's a big disappointment when a huge club like Celtic comes in for you and it looks like an exciting opportunity - but nothing materialises. Maybe it wouldn't have been the right opportunity. Now I'm just focusing on the new season with Stoke."

[Philly]

Bad news for Lawrence today. Portsmouth were late getting his registration into the FA and as such he is still a Stoke player at the moment. Unless the FA allow for an exemption, he is stuck playing Reserve football for Stoke unil January as he was not listed in their 25-man squad.

http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Stoke-City-Liam-Lawrence-s-transfer-Portsmouth-thrown-doubt/article-2613030-detail/article.html

[seanfhear]

Bad news for Lawrence today. Portsmouth were late getting his registration into the FA and as such he is still a Stoke player at the moment. Unless the FA allow for an exemption, he is stuck playing Reserve football for Stoke unil January as he was not listed in their 25-man squad.

http://www.thisisstaffordshire.co.uk/news/Stoke-City-Liam-Lawrence-s-transfer-Portsmouth-thrown-doubt/article-2613030-detail/article.html
I think Porstmouth are going to be a pantomine (sorry Portsmouth supporters) this year and he woud probably be better off elsewhere.

If this is Portsmouths fault the player should be allowed to make other arrangements

[bholg]

may be a blessing in disguise

[SwanVsDalton]

If he keeps playing as well for Ireland, he could force his way back into Pulis' plans. I hope he does, the Portsmouth move wasn't a great one.

[Philly]

This problem will definitely not be a blessing in disguise as he is not allowed to play for Stoke this year now, regardless of whether Pulis wants to play him, due to not being in their 25-man squad. In effect, it leaves him in limbo and in the Stoke reserves.

[elroy]

Sky Sports news reporting that he is to go to Portsmouth on loan. I think this is good for Lawro. If he can replicate his performances for Ireland to his club game then he definitely deserves to play at a higher level than Pompey. So a good season at Pompey should see him snapped up by a decent club next summer. Imo he has been one of our most improved players in the last 12-18 months and is now deservedly our first choice at right mid.

[carloz]

Just scored for portsmoth against Leicester. Still depresses me that a guy with his talent is playing for them. thankfully it is just a loan

[backstothewall]

Just scored for portsmoth against Leicester. Still depresses me that a guy with his talent is playing for them. thankfully it is just a loan

I agree. He is far too good for Portsmouth

[irishfan86]

I really don't understand why one of the lower Premier League sides didn't take a punt on him. Maybe his wage demands are too high? I know last season he signed a lucrative enough extension with Stoke.

[rebelmusic]

Defo think he'll do a sledge and head back to Stoke at xmas unless something amazing happens with Portsmouth. It's no bad thing for us that he's playing every week to keep match fit but he needs to go somewhere else at christmas. Probably the Celtic link will happen again

[Colbert Report]

I don't think he'll be heading back to Stoke, I believe the only reason he was loaned to Portsmouth is because he was part of a Marc Wilson swap deal that didn't get registered by the deadline. More than likely he'll make the move to Portsmouth permanent on January 1 no matter how he's getting on. Stoke won't want to give Wilson back.

[rebelmusic]

Aye but if Wilson is doing very well for them, possible they'll throw 2 mill at portsmouth and sell lawrence elsewhere. If he hasn't signed a contract to move, then he's within his rights to refuse.

[boovidge]

has scored twice vs leicester. a penalty and a deflected free kick.

[Noelys Guitar]

Started out on the right wing now playing on the left side of midfiled. Just made the 5th goal with a great ball into the box. Looks a class above this level. Almost his hatrick there with a great shot from just outside the box.

[Charlie Darwin]

The Leicester goalkeeper is Conrad Logan, from the great conveyer belt of Donegal goalkeepers. Commentators said he was outstanding despite shipping six goals.

[Noelys Guitar]

The Leicester goalkeeper is Conrad Logan, from the great conveyer belt of Donegal goalkeepers. Commentators said he was outstanding despite shipping six goals.
Saved at least 3 certain goals. Like the way he came for corners. Looks a good prospect. It seems amazing to hear Dion Dublin calling Logan a keeper on fire when he let in 6 goals but it could easily have been 10 or 11 without some great saves.

[rebelmusic]

Think it's pretty fair to say if your defense is that shoddy you are gonna let a bunch in. Considering one of them was a peno and a deflected free kick - only ones worth judging him on are the other 4...haha

[elroy]

Great to see Lawro doing well. This is the sort of headlines he needs to get him a good move come the summer.

[bohsRap]

Here's the second goal:

http://www.101greatgoals.com/videodisplay/liam-lawrence-2-leicester-6976251/

Lucky enough but good to see him doing well.

[BonnieShels]

Saved at least 3 certain goals. Like the way he came for corners. Looks a good prospect. It seems amazing to hear Dion Dublin calling Logan a keeper on fire when he let in 6 goals but it could easily have been 10 or 11 without some great saves.

A similar thing occurred when shay was man of the match against Liverpool despite Newcastle losing 5-0!

[shakermaker1982]

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2010/1006/1224280471110.html

Decent read on Liam here.

[elroy]

Ya good read. My respect for that man grows all the time. Has made the right hand side his imo.

[paul_oshea]

"you can see that all the bars are full, they’re all green with the hats on"

why did he have to ruin the article with that ignorant, patronising comment....

*perhaps its naivety on his part, but its still ignorant and patronising.

[Razors left peg]

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2010/1006/1224280471110.html

Decent read on Liam here.

One of the more interesting interviews Ive read with a footballer for a while

[elroy]

"you can see that all the bars are full, they’re all green with the hats on"

why did he have to ruin the article with that ignorant, patronising comment....

*perhaps its naivety on his part, but its still ignorant and patronising.

Think your been a tad over sensitive there. I would see it more as the Irish fans are a colourful bunch who care about supportin their team etc.

[shaneker]

"you can see that all the bars are full, they’re all green with the hats on"

why did he have to ruin the article with that ignorant, patronising comment....

*perhaps its naivety on his part, but its still ignorant and patronising.

What's patronising about it? I've seen thousands of fans wearing silly hats - green vikings, green jesters, and obviously the leprechauns. I don't see anything wrong with it, it's no different to Mexicans wearing sombreros or the mad stuff the Dutch wear. Liam's just stating a fact.

[BonnieShels]

Very strange that you picked up on that statement as being offensive p_os.
Read that article this morning and have to say I agree with elroy on this. He's just a thorough pro. Even him moving to Portsmouth; whilst it was shocking, he said it was with Ireland in Mind.
Great player and here's to him doing the business on friday.

[SwanVsDalton]

Think your been a tad over sensitive there. I would see it more as the Irish fans are a colourful bunch who care about supportin their team etc.

Moreover it's true. Like it or not Paul, the Paddywack brigade will always be out in force for matches.

Liked the anecdote about Gary Breen going spare at someone - it's attitudes like his and Lawrence's which really answer the regular 'plastic paddies' argument.

[paul_oshea]

Moreover it's true. Like it or not Paul, the Paddywack brigade will always be out in force for matches.

Liked the anecdote about Gary Breen going spare at someone - it's attitudes like his and Lawrence's which really answer the regular 'plastic paddies' argument.


I quoted the same piece about breen and forwarded it onto a few plastics and non plastic friends.

Perhaps I jumped the gun a little i thought he had said "with their hats on", as in he being subjective/demeaning almost, but he used "the" hats on...maybe not ignorant but its still a silly naive comment all the same. WHy not just say the colour and the atmosphere that the fans bring etc...not with the hats on ffs. We all know football players aren't the most articulate but thats not the hardest thing to say, particularly given its a well known cliché too.

And for as many who wear "the hats" going to games or in pubs there is as many not wearing "the hats". I for one have worn them, but more often than not i haven't worn them and just to clarify I have nothing against them at all.

[elroy]

I have worn a few of the leprechaun hats in my time, only on away trips for some reason, not sure why. But the foreigners love them, it aint my dashing good looks they want photos with your man in the funny hat. I remember the locals in bari being particularly taken by the hats.

Anyways, the attitude of Liam L is a joy to behold. The lad made mistakes in his past but has matured into a great option for us. He clearly was unfit against Armenia but by god did he work his ass off for the whole game.

[BonnieShels]

Always loved that story about killer in 88 wearing an Irish shirt to school and the rest of the class wearing white .

[paul_oshea]

Im pretty sure that was about gary breen down in London, when he went in in his Ireland jersey.

[Sullivinho]

One of the more interesting interviews Ive read with a footballer for a while

My thoughts exactly. Fascinating stuff about Breen and Keano, not to mention the subject himself.

[BonnieShels]

Im pretty sure that was about gary breen down in London, when he went in in his Ireland jersey.

O rly?

I stand corrected. It happened to be killer by the time I heard it.

[paul_oshea]

O'Reilly.

[geysir]

:)
Very neat, on cue this time Paul.

[paul_oshea]

I'm always on cue geysir.

I'm just disunderstood ;)*

*there is no wink anymore....

[geysir]

:wink:
As your girlfriend might say, you have to look in the right places :wink:

[BonnieShels]

Get a room boys.
;)

[seanfhear]

I am curious to know why the Celtic deal fell through. Just being nosy.

[Docboy]

Were they not waiting for the McGeady deal to go through? Lawrence probably wasn't bothered hanging about.

Have to say I'm amazed that no mid-to-lower PL team were interested in the lad. With his workrate and distribution he'd certainly have been worth the punt. Looks like he's bang on form for Portsmouth aswell.

[therock67]

I am curious to know why the Celtic deal fell through. Just being nosy.
The McGeady deal hadn't gone through yet and Juarez was bought in the meantime. Surprised he didn't get a go somewhere else though alright.

[Charlie Darwin]

Portsmouth likely to be liquidated.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/p/portsmouth/9120108.stm

[SwanVsDalton]

Could work out well for him, he's been playing well. Could go to a better Championship side (or maybe a Prem team will take a punt on him).

[Stuttgart88]

Portsmouth likely to be liquidated.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/p/portsmouth/9120108.stm

The EPL's chickens coming home to roost.

[Charlie Darwin]

They're not the EPL's problem anymore.

[gastric]

As I mentioned on Irish Abroad recently, WBA have showed interest in Lawrence and that would be a good move for him. It could now come to fruition!

[Stuttgart88]

They're not the EPL's problem anymore.The EPL is to blame though. Of course the club itself is, but the EPL failed to vet any of the FIVE owners they had in one year and the "light touch" regulatory style that led to the banking crisis has also caused a solvency crisis in football. Thank God railways, nuclear power etc aren't rergulated like that.

[paul_oshea]

They're not the EPL's problem anymore.

sowed or laid as the case may be, in the prem though....