Irish Tigers and Opposition Irish

[DeLorean]

I find these threads pretty handy so I took the liberty of creating one for the sizable Irish contingent at Hull City. David Meyler was our only representative in their FA Cup squad last night, and he only played the final few minutes.

A late Sagbo equaliser has kept them in the cup and the game will be replayed at the KC next Monday, only two days after their trip to Cardiff in the PL. Apparently FA Cup matches cannot be played on Champions League nights, which seems a bit daft but obviously TV dictates.

A Hull Everton final would be fantastic!

[tetsujin1979]

Meyler could have scored late on too, he had a header from a corner cleared off the line

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

I find these threads pretty handy so I took the liberty of creating one for the sizable Irish contingent at Hull City. David Meyler was our only representative in their FA Cup squad last night, and he only played the final few minutes.

A late Sagbo equaliser has kept them in the cup and the game will be replayed at the KC next Monday, only two days after their trip to Cardiff in the PL. Apparently FA Cup matches cannot be played on Champions League nights, which seems a bit daft but obviously TV dictates.

A Hull Everton final would be fantastic!

What? No love for Stephen Quinn? He started last night.

[DeLorean]

Jaysus... I went through the team sheet and managed to miss him. I actually only saw a few minutes myself, do you know how he played?

[dr_peepee]

Conor Henderson on the bench for Hull also!!

[DeLorean]

Oh whatever :o

[SkStu]

Half watched the game and from the limited attention I was paying, he seemed to have played alright. A few close ups by the camera points to his being either very good or very blameworthy for something I may or may not have seen.

You're welcome.

[DeLorean]

Sounds pretty similar to the attention I gave the team sheet.

[Junior]

I listened to that match on 5-Live whilst doing a bit of painting in the house - coincidentally the commentators (Claridge was one) talked of it very much like watching paint dry.

Anyway, Will Buckley stood out for me based on the commentary, as someone having a decent game. Unfortunately he didn't come out for the 2nd half, think he is just back from injury. Claridge commented on the fact that he was Brightons most influential player in the first half also.

Andrews played centre mid also for Brighton. Did nothing of note that I can remember.

[Stuttgart88]

I watched more of Hull v Brighton in the FA Cup replay than was probably advisable. Long was cup tied but Meyler started for Hull and Ward played left back for Brighton, Andrews in midfield.

I like Meyler but I never see anything more than a perfectly decent player. Perfectly decent isn't what we need so I still think Whelan shades it for me in that position. I just want to see Meyler add a bit more rather than keeping things ticking over. We have those players already and they're better than him at it. He gave away the free that led to Brighton's goal but that happens when you play in midfield, no biggy. In general though, I'd like to see him take a leaf out of Andrews' book by just being a bit more dynamic going forward.

My mate goes to Brighton all the time and says Ward has been great for them. I was really impressed by Ward tonight, a square peg in a square hole - very important for a team's balance.

Definitely deserves another look at left back for Ireland under the new management. And yes, I do recall his worst moments. Lovely striker of a ball with his left foot.

Stephen Quinn came on for Meyler on 85 and there was no sign of Henderson, or Buckley for that matter.

[DeLorean]

Whelan > Perfectly decent??

[Stuttgart88]

I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt. I thought he was awful in Trap's last 2 years but looked far better under King and in O'Neill's first game. I cant recall if he played in Poland.

I think that was widely accepted here too, not that we have mob rule around here!

[DeLorean]

I thought his performance in Germany was of the 'he did well enough considering...' variety. Out of position against top opposition which zero expectations. Latvia was just easy and I think he's played at that level in similar games in the past. I just think people had gone into 'glass is half full' mode at that point. I agree with your evaluation of Meyler but I'd still prefer to see him start than Whelan. Hopefully we won't need either in time, no disrespect intended and hopefully Meyler can improve further and become a serious option.

Good interview with him here about life at Hull (http://www.hulldailymail.co.uk/David-Meyler-Hull-City-s-unbelievable/story-20682484-detail/story.html)

[DeLorean]

I didn't realise (never entered my head) that Shane Long is cup tied for the F.A. Cup. That's a bit of a balls.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Keith Andrews was pretty ineffective for Blackburn in the Premiership. I think Meyler has been a lot more impressive for Hull and their club fans respective attitudes towards them reflects that. Andrews was nicknamed "Jazz Hands" by the Blackburn fans.

[Charlie Darwin]

Keith Andrews was pretty ineffective for Blackburn in the Premiership. I think Meyler has been a lot more impressive for Hull and their club fans respective attitudes towards them reflects that. Andrews was nicknamed "Jazz Hands" by the Blackburn fans.
So was the rest of the team. Andrews was a good player who was Premier League standard at his best but not anymore, and had the peculiar knack of scoring important goals. I assume what Stutts is aluding to is Meyler's need to do a bit more to get on the score sheet.

[Stuttgart88]

It was more the ability to get forward a bit more, getting behind his man, and to do more than passing the ball neatly in front of the opposition. I also like the way Andrews was always busy without the ball. I just think he had a bit more bite than I see in Meyler.

[Charlie Darwin]

Meyler has plenty of bite I think, I just reckon his overall reading of the game is better so he doesn't have to be sniping as often to make his presence known.

[Stuttgart88]

Maybe so. I still hope he finds a bit more to his game though. I think he has it in him given his development was hampered at key stages through injury.

He'd be close to a starting XI for me but if Gibson and McCarthy are both fit they'd be my CMs with Reid or Hoolahan just ahead of them.

[Charlie Darwin]

Meyler the only Irish starter for Hull in the FA Cup today with Long cup-tied. Henderson and Quinn are on the bench. O'Shea playing for Sunderland.

[DeLorean]

Good interview with Liam George regarding Curtis Davis and his very own eligibility gut test.

Why the FAI could be wasting their time chasing Curtis Davis (http://balls.ie/football/fai-wasting-time-chasing-player/)

[SkStu]

looks like a black Peter Beardsley
http://balls.ie/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/curtis-davies-hull-city-tigers-chelsea-premier-league_3001528.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_NvOXIZvsBo0/Sa6PwOdiZUI/AAAAAAAAATc/cbCqQDLR3i0/s400/Peter+Beardsley+.jpg

[Stuttgart88]

I picked up some tickets for Wembley tomorrow. Unfortunately it looks like only Meyler will be starting with Quinn on the bench. Long is cup-tied, McShane and Brady injured. Any chance Henderson will be on the bench?

Who do Sheffield United have? Doyle only?

I can't believe it's 21 years since I was excited by Alan Kelly's form in an FA Cup semi final.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

http://thescore.thejournal.ie/long-meyler-hull-1409210-Apr2014/

The lowdown on Hull's Irish from the natives.

Henderson will not be involved as he is picking up splinters at Stevenage. McShane and Brady are injured (the latter could be involved in the final). Quinn should at least get involvement off the bench. Meyler should start and will start if Huddlestone isn't fit.

Utd have Doyle captaining them into battle while young Connor Dimaio started their preceding game.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

One positive to take away from Arsenal inevitably finishing fourth is that Hull's Irish contingent will get European football next season.

[DeLorean]

I know the Arsenal fixtures look more kind but it's far from inevitable. Everton have the form... Arsenal have recently drawn against Swansea and Wigan so there's no such thing as a guaranteed three points for them at this stage, including their game tonight.

[CraftyToePoke]

One positive to take away from Arsenal inevitably finishing fourth is that Hull's Irish contingent will get European football next season.

Yeah, did the world of good for Wigan and Swansea eh ? Last thing we need is a mass relegation, or even relegation battle for several members of our first eleven, which is, lets face it, the most likely by-product of a European campaign for a provincial yo-yo paper thin squad side like Hull.

[Charlie Darwin]

Yeah, did the world of good for Wigan and Swansea eh ? Last thing we need is a mass relegation, or even relegation battle for several members of our first eleven, which is, lets face it, the most likely by-product of a European campaign for a provincial yo-yo paper thin squad side like Hull.
On the other hand, it didn't do Stoke and Everton much harm. The Europa League isn't a death sentence.

[Stuttgart88]

Rovers haven't won the league since though :)

[Charlie Darwin]

I'd expect that from geysir but not from you :(

[CraftyToePoke]

Newcastle United.
Bolton. Birmingham. Middlesbrough.

Now now CD, lets hope Hull's Irish are nowhere near that pointless drain on under prepared resources.

[DeLorean]

On the other hand, it didn't do Stoke and Everton much harm. The Europa League isn't a death sentence.

I can't remember Everton having a run of much significance in it? Was that the season Villarreal knocked them out of the CL and they went out to Sporting Lisbon? I have no idea what round it was though.

My recollection of Stoke's Europa season was that their league form suffered fairly dramatically, to the point that they end up playing a weak side in the knockouts against Valencia such was their relegation fears? Again, I'd be hazy enough though.

[Charlie Darwin]

Newcastle United.
Bolton. Birmingham. Middlesbrough.

Now now CD, lets hope Hull's Irish are nowhere near that pointless drain on under prepared resources.
Birmingham, like Wigan, were already relegated. It obviously affected Middlesbrough but they did get all the way to the final, which would affect any team as it did Fulham. Newcastle are just a flip of a coin, who knows what effect the EL had. Bolton pretty much did as expected.


I can't remember Everton having a run of much significance in it? Was that the season Villarreal knocked them out of the CL and they went out to Sporting Lisbon? I have no idea what round it was though.

My recollection of Stoke's Europa season was that their league form suffered fairly dramatically, to the point that they end up playing a weak side in the knockouts against Valencia such was their relegation fears? Again, I'd be hazy enough though.
No, it was about three years ago, Coleman and Duffy got their debuts in it. Stoke had a pretty average Stoke season; they brought a reserve side to Valencia because they were already 2-0 down from the home leg.

[DeLorean]

That was Valencia's pinnacle moment I think. I know they won Spanish titles and reached CL finals in the 2000's, they even won the UEFA Cup a few years earlier... but nothing quite says "we've arrived" like winning on a rainy night in Stoke.

[paul_oshea]

Long playing OK so far.

Meyler cplaying OK too.not a box to box midfielder but has been involved from an attacking sense.

[paul_oshea]

Long off. Injured supposedly.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Long off. Injured supposedly.

Bruce comes from the McCarthy school of flogging our players until minor knocks that never get rested turn into major injuries i.e. Doyle and Brady.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11714/9282361/hull-duo-allan-mcgregor-and-paul-mcshane-could-be-fit-for-fa-cup-final

McShane due back in training tomorrow; could be fit for final.

http://www.eveningecho.ie/2014/04/30/meyler-rebel-cup-cause/

Good article on Meyler.

[Charlie Darwin]

Great news on McShane but perhaps he'd be better off missing out and having a full summer to recover.

[Charlie Darwin]

Meyler drops to the bench for Hull's second leg of Europa League qualification, with the score at 0-0 from the away leg. Brady and Long start, Quinn and McShane also on the bench.

[Charlie Darwin]

1-0 down at home within 2 minutes. Long should have equalised but shot straight at the keeper.

[Charlie Darwin]

1-1, Brady lays it on a plate for Elmo.

[tetsujin1979]

1-1, Brady lays it on a plate for Elmo. Elmo is a rat!

[Charlie Darwin]

Half time. Long has missed four great chances and gotten booked, according to journalists.

[Stuttgart88]

Only four?

[Charlie Darwin]

Yeah, not up to his usual standard of missing.

[Charlie Darwin]

A late Sakho header puts Hull through to the play-off round 2-1 on aggregate.

[Stuttgart88]

Neither Brady nor Long comes out well in this match report.

http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/football/hull-city/europa-league/live-commentary/live-commentary-hull-city-vs-trencin_169937.html

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Yeah. Thank God we have jazz hands to come back and drag defenders all over the place, win headers, link the play up, get on the end of Wes and Andy's passes, win fouls in/around the box and create those kind of chances for himself eh?

[Stuttgart88]

Oh get over yourself. Long's finishing is a major weakness despite his good work. Keane's finishing is a major strength despite his lesser influence in general play.

Don't tell me you're happy to read that Long scuffed chances and shot straight at the keeper several times, as he is wont to do.

I have to admit I didn't see whether he created those chances for himself - did he? - but I'd be seriously worried if his yips in front of goal (that's what they are becoming - yips) continue into the start of the league season.

Edit: I should also add that it's a particular worry because Bruce isn't stupid and he has more options than last season. Long is at serious risk of being benched, which ieould be a serious disadvantage for Ireland. I think that's fair to say.