Liam Lawrence

[paul_oshea]

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.

ya but its football people, you need the right people in place nowadays the way it has become such a commercial entity.

As soon as you see the likes of D&T doing yearly football richest lists etc, you know what way it has gone.

*regulated.

[Charlie Darwin]

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.
I'd like to see who they'd consider as not a "fit and proper person." Josef Fritzl perhaps?

[seanfhear]

I'd like to see who they'd consider as not a "fit and proper person." Josef Fritzl perhaps?
Fritzl if he had a few pound would not have any problems with the EPL.

[BonnieShels]

Scored today from the spot against Hull in a 3-2 loss.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/eng_div_1/9331353.stm

[theworm2345]

http://www.skysports.com/opinion/story/0,25212,16709_6789579,00.html

[EastTerracer]

Liam Lawrence gave some interesting interviews (http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2011/0323/1224292848543.html) yesterday after training. He summed up at the end by saying "I'm dead... aren't I? But at least I'm honest"

On Jermaine Pennant: “The only thing I know upsets us is when people are trying to juggle between England and Ireland – that’s the only issue here, really. And it is not just me that’s saying that. It doesn’t look good, does it? You know, for an Irishman to see that.”

On Jamie O'Hara: “Next! Look, we obviously don’t dislike these people. It is just some of the comments that they come out with – when they’re saying they are juggling between Ireland and England – you just don’t do it, do you?”

[Charlie Darwin]

It's interesting that he says his preferred position is in the middle. I always thought he wanted to play wide because he's only ever played there for Ireland and did most of the time for Stoke. I think he has the attributes to play centrally, even though I think he is more suited to wide positions.

[SkStu]

Liam Lawrence gave some interesting interviews (http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2011/0323/1224292848543.html) yesterday after training. He summed up at the end by saying "I'm dead... aren't I? But at least I'm honest"

On Jermaine Pennant: “The only thing I know upsets us is when people are trying to juggle between England and Ireland – that’s the only issue here, really. And it is not just me that’s saying that. It doesn’t look good, does it? You know, for an Irishman to see that.”

On Jamie O'Hara: “Next! Look, we obviously don’t dislike these people. It is just some of the comments that they come out with – when they’re saying they are juggling between Ireland and England – you just don’t do it, do you?”

Well said Lawro and fair balls.

[amaccann]

To be honest, that should end the whole conversation about O'Hara & Pennant; it's clear that the players don't want them in the squad, at best wouldn't respect them & surely squad harmony should count far more than an overeager clamouring for rent-a-paddies to "improve" our squad.

[Sullivinho]

Well said that man. He seems to be referencing something of a squad consensus too which is encouraging and hopefully enough to have TPTB factor in team harmony when it comes to new faces.

[Fergie's Son]

Any audio or visual of that interview? Fair play to him for saying it.

[geysir]

Really stupid discussion on Newstalk on the plastic paddy issue, totally misinterpreting LL´s reported views on the matter.
But I was only half listening to it.
Liam referenced a player who hesitates and prolongs a decision, a player who juggles.
He clearly articulates most fan's feelings on the matter. There is a line of acceptance and a player who needs to wait and juggle the possibilities is firmly on the other side of that line.

[DannyInvincible]

How did whoever was discussing it on Newstalk pass off his comments?

[gastric]

Lawrence seems to be a genuine sort of bloke, but the cynic in me also thinks more competition for places could mean less game time!

[TrapAPony]

Really stupid discussion on Newstalk on the plastic paddy issue, totally misinterpreting LL´s reported views on the matter.
But I was only half listening to it.


What was said?


Lawrence seems to be a genuine sort of bloke, but the cynic in me also thinks more competition for places could mean less game time!

I agree.

[geysir]

The Newstalk discussion will be available on playback, somewhere around 7.15pm to 8.00pm.
As I said I only half listened to it. They assumed LL was talking about the plastic paddies in general, that his comments were derogatory in general about the 2nd and 3rd generation paddies.
They used his name in vain (and that's what annoys me) to engage in a superficial discussion about the issue and not one reference to the core of his comments.
I like it when a footballer expresses himself sincerely and sensibly and it is a frustration when the rare time it happens, the comments are treated with such flippancy.

[Stuttgart88]

Probably a bit harsh. I got the impression he was talking on behalf of others as well. LL was probably the guy designated to do the day's media duty.

[geysir]

Good discussion with Alan McLaughlin on Newstalk 9.45pm, balances out all the earlier nonsense.
Hit the nail on the head with the decision time needed for a 2nd/3rd generation paddy, he said more or less, not weeks, not days, not hours but minutes or seconds needed to accept the invitation.
He said he had an invite to join up with England B same times as invite for Ireland B.

[Fixer82]

Newstalk discussion at top of the show really annoyed me. How dare they be so cynical about players lining out and pulling on the green jersey.

[Noelys Guitar]

Just as interesting were his comments about our tactics ie 442 rather than playing 451 sometimes. Tardelli went to see Lawerence to "clarify" his comments.
Todays Irish Times
It should come as no great surprise then, in the wake of Liam Lawrence talking formations with the press on Tuesday evening, assistant manager Marco Tardelli revealed after training yesterday he had stopped by the Portsmouth winger back in the team hotel to “clarify” his remarks.

Lawrence’s suggestion, not unreasonable it seemed, after Trapattoni had come close to declaring himself helpless as he watched his four-man midfield overrun by Russia’s five in the first hour of the game in October, was the Republic too should consider manning up in that department.

Tardelli, though, was having none of it yesterday, insisting 4-4-2 remained the logical choice for Ireland as they step up their push for a place at the next European Championships, and claiming while the team could play with five across the middle, “it would take 10 to 15 days to prepare for the match”.

This was at odds with Tardelli’s confident claim moments earlier that Ireland can switch between one formation and the other mid match simply by relocating Robbie Keane. But in any case, he declared, “it doesn’t matter because Macedonia play 4-4-2 so for now, 4-4-2 is good for us”.

I wonder if LL's opinion of tactics is shared by others in the squad?

[Supreme feet]

I think, simply, Trap has stuck with 4-4-2 because Keane and Doyle are among our 5 best players and thus undroppable. Admittedly, the last time we played 4-5-1 in a competitive game was our 1-0 win over Slovakia under Stan (Keane was suspended) and it worked like a charm. Tardelli mentioned the possibility of Robbie dropping deeper when required, and he's certainly capable of doing this (when Trap took over, he mentioned Keane as a 'Totti' kind of player) but we just haven't seen him do it, for whatever reason. Maybe it's because Doyle naturally tends to drift out wide these days, Keane may feel obliged to stay in the box.

Still, 4-4-2 would be absolutely fine for us if we played two athletic and intelligent central midfielders who can do the simple things right, plus two full backs who can pass it more than five metres. 4-4-2 worked for Sweden when they were qualifying for 5 tournaments in a row, no reason why it shouldn't work for us.

[paul_oshea]

Really stupid discussion on Newstalk on the plastic paddy issue, totally misinterpreting LL´s reported views on the matter.
But I was only half listening to it.
Liam referenced a player who hesitates and prolongs a decision, a player who juggles.
He clearly articulates most fan's feelings on the matter. There is a line of acceptance and a player who needs to wait and juggle the possibilities is firmly on the other side of that line.

I don't know if im allowed to reply to you directly anymore, but a couple of mates at home, for the soccer particularly, say that newstalk - or moreso the presenters - has gone downhill somewhat. Is this true - or for those who listen frequently? I don't listen all that often

Be interesting to see if anything comes of his comments around formation though.

[geysir]

I don't know if im allowed to reply to you directly anymore,
I don't know why you would feel so rejected Paul but I suspect you are donning a contrived veneer of oversensitivity :)


but a couple of mates at home, for the soccer particularly, say that newstalk - or moreso the presenters - has gone downhill somewhat. Is this true - or for those who listen frequently? I don't listen all that often
I would only listen to Newstalk around the build up to the Ireland games for snippets of info around the team. It's similar now to what it was for previous games.
What your mates might be experiencing is an over-familiarity


Be interesting to see if anything comes of his comments around formation though.
What I notice, the issue is hardly ever a footballer speaking his mind, the issue is what the media manufacture from a footballer speaking his mind.
Newstalk just didn't understand that LL was referring to those 2 players who were publicly discussing the option of declaring for Ireland and delaying.
Malone paints an image of Tardelli collaring LL afterwards, which I'd take with a dose of salt i.e.the image not the collaring.
Result - you end up getting the Stephen Carr attitude or you get banal platitudes from players.
LL wants to play on Saturday. He wants Ireland to win. He hated losing to Russia. Both Trap and Tardelli appreciate what type of character LL is.

If Emmet Malone scratched his head a bit then let him suggest who we should play up front alone, or do we have some flexibility as Tardelli suggests we should have.

[paul_oshea]

Its always easier to knock than offer opinions or suggest alternatives. Luckily for sports journalists they are covered by both.

Hence why there are always critics - and always work for critics.

[Charlie Darwin]

That's a very cynical attitude, Paul. You'd make a great critic.

[theworm2345]

Portsmouth cannot afford the necessary scan for Liam Lawrence's calf injury
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17067079

[johnnyc]

Holy ****.

[drummerboy]

I'm sure Liam could well afford to pay for it himself, if he is desperate to find out what is wrong.

[Carrigaline]

He's on £20k a week until 2014. I think Lawrence is a useful player, but how the heck did a Championship club just out of administration justify paying that kind of money for a player?

[seanfhear]

It would be good if the FAI were willing to foot the bill for Liam. Its about time the FAI acted in the interests of their players if there is a necessity to do so.

[elroy]

Interview in the Times yday with Liam. Written by Paul Rowan however, who very rarely has anything positive to say about the FAI or the Irish team.

Basically how Portsmouth is a shambles, hasnt been paid in weeks. How he got no notificiation from Trap & co that he was been dropped for the Czech game. That he texted Trap afterwards and got back something likes "Thanks for all your efforts". So he assumes his international days are over. Another episode of poor communication from the management team by the sounds of it. Really seems to have taken the heat for the Russian home game, apparently he was openly critical about Traps tactics that day as well.

[Scooby Doo]

Interview in the Times yday with Liam. Written by Paul Rowan however, who very rarely has anything positive to say about the FAI or the Irish team.

Basically how Portsmouth is a shambles, hasnt been paid in weeks. How he got no notificiation from Trap & co that he was been dropped for the Czech game. That he texted Trap afterwards and got back something likes "Thanks for all your efforts". So he assumes his international days are over. Another episode of poor communication from the management team by the sounds of it. Really seems to have taken the heat for the Russian home game, apparently he was openly critical about Traps tactics that day as well.

I've always liked Lawrence and would love to have seen him him have more of a chance with Ireland. But why he took the decision to move to Portsmouth at the time is a head-scratcher. Fine, you could say he wanted guaranteed first team football but at that point he was at his peak arguably and would have gotten plenty of games for a lower EPL side. I thought at the time that it was a strange move, especially if he harboured serious international ambitions.

Anyway, I don't think he has much of a reason to feel resentment that he isn't going to the Euros. We have plenty of wingers playing at a higher level than Liam. Fahey is the only one who it could be argued is playing at the same standard, yet Fahey played a more important role in the qualifying campaign just gone.

Unfortunately, like one or two others, it seems that Lawrence's main chance to play at a major tournament was ended by Henry's hand.

[Colbert Report]

Lawrence is crocked an is very immobile these days. He hasn't played on the wing in a long, long time. He just sits in front of the back four and breaks up the play at club level, Makelele-style. He'll never play for us again, especially not in a wide role where pace is important under our system of play.

[tetsujin1979]

Lawrence is crocked an is very immobile these days. He hasn't played on the wing in a long, long time. He just sits in front of the back four and breaks up the play at club level, Makelele-style. He'll never play for us again, especially not in a wide role where pace is important under our system of play.
According to football lineups he last played on the wing on January 21st: http://www.football-lineups.com/footballer/4102/?t=741&s=28

[backstothewall]

He just sits in front of the back four and breaks up the play at club level, Makelele-style. He'll never play for us again, especially not in a wide role where pace is important under our system of play.

So he is a good passer of the ball who does week-in-week-out at club level exactly what Trap wants his central midfielders to do, and offers a genuine threat at set pieces.

But Paul Green gets called up. Go figure...

[tetsujin1979]

So he is a good passer of the ball who does week-in-week-out at club level exactly what Trap wants his central midfielders to do, and offers a genuine threat at set pieces.

But Paul Green gets called up. Go figure...He's injured.

[backstothewall]

He's injured.

Fair enough so.

Well not really, but I'll do that moaning in the Marc Wilson thread.

[Colbert Report]

According to football lineups he last played on the wing on January 21st: http://www.football-lineups.com/footballer/4102/?t=741&s=28

That website has him playing out on the wing in almost every match, which is most certainly not the case.

[Fixer82]

Think he's been treated a bit unfairly to be honest.
Trap can be very cut-throat like this. If he no longer wants a player they're just not contacted and left in the lurch.
He joined Portsmouth on Trap's recommendation to get first team football, he deserves a little more respect I think

[geysir]

Lawrence is not near the same player he was for us in the WC 2010 qualifiers. Whether it was injuries took their toll or something else, I think it's a no brainer to move on and bring younger players like Coleman and McClean in to the squad.
Just send him a nicer sms next time.

[the bear]

Lawrence is not near the same player he was for us in the WC 2010 qualifiers. Whether it was injuries took their toll or something else, I think it's a no brainer to move on and bring younger players like Coleman and McClean in to the squad.
Just send him a nicer sms next time.

hi liam, soz u not in squad atm. gud luk wit pompy ROFL. trap xxx:p

[SwanVsDalton]

Think he's been treated a bit unfairly to be honest.
Trap can be very cut-throat like this. If he no longer wants a player they're just not contacted and left in the lurch.
He joined Portsmouth on Trap's recommendation to get first team football, he deserves a little more respect I think

I think he's got plenty of respect. He's unlucky, and feel for him, but can't say he really deserves a place at this stage.

As for the communication - do Del Bosque, Blanc or most international managers get in touch with players if they fall out of the squad? Not sure but either way there's no good way of telling someone they're out.

[BonnieShels]

This notion that there's no room for sentimentality in international soccer is worrying and directly against the raison d'être of the world game. International soccer's and even moreso than the club game, USP is based entirely on sentimentality and pride.
If a player who established himself as such a stalwart over the last few years like Liam and is how no longer part of your plans, then you treat him a bit nicer than most.

Lawrence busted a gut for this team and I've nothing but good things to say about him when he was with us. Like Coxy he seemed to become a positive influence within the team.

Also lest we forget how Trap dumped Killer.

[Fixer82]

I think he's got plenty of respect. He's unlucky, and feel for him, but can't say he really deserves a place at this stage.

As for the communication - do Del Bosque, Blanc or most international managers get in touch with players if they fall out of the squad? Not sure but either way there's no good way of telling someone they're out.

For a manager who spends so much time on the 'little details' I think it is remiss of him to overlook being gentler ith a player that was once an ever-present in the squad. Three injuries could lead to him being needed again and then it's just awkward. Diplomacy seems to be something Trap is not great at at times. Steven Reid comes to mind...

[Sullivinho]

This notion that there's no room for sentimentality in international soccer is worrying and directly against the raison d'être of the world game. International soccer's and even moreso than the club game, USP is based entirely on sentimentality and pride.
If a player who established himself as such a stalwart over the last few years like Liam and is how no longer part of your plans, then you treat him a bit nicer than most.

Lawrence busted a gut for this team and I've nothing but good things to say about him when he was with us. Like Coxy he seemed to become a positive influence within the team.

Also lest we forget how Trap dumped Killer.

Completely agree with all of that, well said.

I think someone else mentioned that Liam has pretty much been overtaken in the reckoning, which I think is also correct.

[SwanVsDalton]

For a manager who spends so much time on the 'little details' I think it is remiss of him to overlook being gentler ith a player that was once an ever-present in the squad. Three injuries could lead to him being needed again and then it's just awkward. Diplomacy seems to be something Trap is not great at at times. Steven Reid comes to mind...

I don't think he was ungentle. He just doesn't go in for false platitudes. If Lawrence did throw a wobbler because of it, I think that would be questionable.

[gastric]

I haven't watched Lawrence play in quite a while, but I will always be proud and appreciative of his performance in Paris on that infamous night. He never stopped supporting the defence, got forward as often as possible and basically burst a gut for us. He is an example of what is best in Irish football and he showed a commitment and a passion in his performance. Hopefully he can get his career back on track and get a call up in the future.

[Kingdom]

Not sure but either way there's no good way of telling someone they're out.

Just play him this song

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNc45FTenhg

[Stuttgart88]

Joining Cardiff City on loan until end of season according to SSN.

[Charlie Darwin]

Good move for him. That groin scan will be extra satisfying because he's had to wait for it.