Young Irish Players in Premiership

[jorge]

He did and it's going to cost his place on the Ireland squad unfortunately.

[tetsujin1979]

i thought dunne was recovering from not one but two operations.. or did he not have them?
2 operations, one on each ankle, he had it done with about 3 weeks to go to the end of last season.
I doubt it'll cost him his place in the squad, but very possibly his starting place, I expect the centre halves in the next squad to be Dunne, Cunningham, Breen, O'Brien, all hopefully first choice for their club sides

[jimbob117]

He did and it's going to cost his place on the Ireland squad unfortunately.

It certainly won't. It may cost him a place in the 1st 11, but if anything were to happen to o'brien or kenny, he'd be in straight away.

[Havelock Squire]

I reckon the big man should be starting with Kenny if O'Brien doesn't pull his socks up a bit this season. Being a City fan I really rate him. Don't think I'm alone in that opinion either...

Here's what some of the city fans have been saying in the wake of SWP's departure:

Who's your favorite city player now? (http://www.mancity.net/portal/alias__Rainbow/lang__de/tabID__3339/g__posts/t__9411/DesktopDefault.aspx)

[youngirish]

Ireland, Bermingham and Flood have all been included in Man City's 21 man squad for Asia Cup trip. Check out the link here:

http://www.mcfc.co.uk/default.sps?pageid=115&pagegid={DBD12D53-8346-431D-A04F-5D0F8664DE80}&newsid=200991&siteid=&pageno=&newscategory=1051&frommonth=5&fromyear=2005&tomonth=7&toyear=2005

Good news for the coming season, I know Ireland in particular is rated very highly and he seemed to do well in the other pre-season games.

Anyone know anything about Bermingham? Surprised he's in the squad as he wasn't even a regular starter in the reserves last season though he must be half decent if Pearce has included him.

Willo needs a few good workouts in the gym if he wants to take up where SWP left off last season.

[tetsujin1979]

Anyone know anything about Bermingham? Surprised he's in the squad as he wasn't even a regular starter in the reserves last season though he must be half decent if Pearce has included him.

Birmingham was a regular scorer for the reserves last season up until Christmas when Miller was promoted from the academy side, he even knocked 4 in against United in a Manchester Senior Cup game. He is highly rated, but I think Miller might have jumped ahead of him in the queue. As it stands Man City have 2 recognised senior strikers - Fowler and Bradley Wright-Phillips - with Cole to join. I'd imagine Bermingham and Miller are on the trip to gain experience at senior level, so they can be called upon if injuries or suspensions need it, and they (Miller and Bermingham) will be the 2 first choice strikers for the reserve side this season.

Incidentally, if you check the squad pages on Man City's newly designed webpage - here (http://www.mcfc.co.uk/default.sps?syndicatorguid={7EB24EFC-E397-48B3-977A-BC40E4795300}&rmasiteinstanceguid={5B147D34-2BCF-448D-976C-AE1944ED09F5}&pagegid={1CF21E86-174B-420D-916B-04DE6DF5EE70}&siteid=502&teamid=1096) - Stephen Ireland is down as a striker, even though he plays in midfield!

[youngirish]

It also says he's only 16. I'm sure I seen an article on him earlier in the year saying he turned eighteen. Is that DOB correct?

[eirebhoy]

Paddy McCarthy is starting for Leicester against ****** just now. Maybury and McGeady also starting. I'll let you know how they got on for those that don't have Setanta/****** TV/Channel 67.

[Stuttgart88]

A match synopsis would be appreciated. I didn't see any of it.

Darren Potter played last night & won the penalty for Liverpool's first goal according to BBC.

[eirebhoy]

McGeady was very quiet. He gave the ball away a few times and didn't really do too much on it.

Maybury was solid. He was marking McGeady. McGeady did beat him once or twice but thats about it.

McCarthy was the best of the Irish. Absolute rock. Leicester held a really high line and McCarthy and the other centre half were rarely caught out. Looks like he'll start the season in the Leicester first 11.

[Stuttgart88]

Thanks.

Was Connolly not even in the squad?

[tetsujin1979]

Thanks.

Was Connolly not even in the squad?

Don't think so, he didn't come on if he was.

I thought McGeady did ok, tried to beat his man too many times, and it wasn't coming off.

Leicester looked very solid at the back, mainly due to McCarthy, it wasn't until Aliadiere came on and Beattie started to push forward that ****** started looking more likely to score.

The keeper, Boruc, had a great game, but the defence (esp Balde) looked well short of match fitness.

[tetsujin1979]

All of the players in Man City's squad for the Premier League Asia Cup will get a run out, Stephen Ireland is mentioned here (http://www.mcfc.co.uk/default.sps?pageid=115&pagegid={DBD12D53-8346-431D-A04F-5D0F8664DE80}&newsid=201573&siteid=&pageno=&newscategory=1051&frommonth=5&fromyear=2005&tomonth=7&toyear=2005) but I'd imagine Willo Flood and Karl Bermingham will also see game time over the next few days.

Just as a slight aside, the young player to watch on Sky Sports today is interviewed and said Leon Best is the most skillful player he's played with. Not sure if it's the one and the same Leon Best at Southampton, but read it here (http://skysports.planetfootball.com/list.asp?hlid=292887&CPID=&clid=&channel=football_home)

[Stuttgart88]

Rodney Marsh predicted Leon Best would be a star. Not sure if that's a good thing though! I thought he looked decent, but nothing more, in the FA Youth Cup Final.

Ipswich's website says Owen Garvan played well for Ipswich last night, but despite Kelvin Davis' move to Sunderland, Shane Supple didn't make the team. He's still very young though. The Ipswich website didn't list the full team so I don't know if Clarke, Synott, Lordan, Nash etc played any part.

[youngirish]

The Ipswich website didn't list the full team so I don't know if Clarke, Synott, Lordan, Nash etc played any part.

They didn't the squad list is here:

http://www.itfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10272~687543,00.html

Garvan looks a good prospect for a 17 year old though. I've heard good things about Supple and Clarke also.

[CraftyToePoke]

Thanks.

Was Connolly not even in the squad?

Connolly was ruled out with a slight knock and Sheehan was in the squad but didnt play any part,another lad from the academy who usually plays at right-back or centre-half,played at left back throughout the game.

[eirebhoy]

Just as a slight aside, the young player to watch on Sky Sports today is interviewed and said Leon Best is the most skillful player he's played with. Not sure if it's the one and the same Leon Best at Southampton, but read it here (http://skysports.planetfootball.com/list.asp?hlid=292887&CPID=&clid=&channel=football_home)
Leon Best moved from Notts County to Soton so it would be the same player.


...another lad from the academy who usually plays at right-back or centre-half,played at left back throughout the game.
I'm suprised he didn't kill anyone. :)

[youngirish]

Stephen Ireland, Willo Flood and Karl Bermingham were all in action for city against Bolton today. Joey O'Brien also played and is mentioned in the report on Bolton's website.

http://www.bwfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,1004~688616,00.html

http://www.mcfc.co.uk/default.sps?pageid=115&pagegid={DBD12D53-8346-431D-A04F-5D0F8664DE80}&newsid=201813&siteid=&pageno=&newscategory=1051&frommonth=5&fromyear=2005&tomonth=7&toyear=2005

[Stuttgart88]

Aye, he's certainly not the type of player you play on the right, he's much better in a central role.

Extract from today's Indo:

Ireland U21 international Darren Potter could be given another chance at some point in right midfield, a reminder that home-grown talent has its place in Benitez's thoughts.

"The manager can bring in players from Barcelona and Real Madrid, but he has shown that it doesn't matter where you are from - if you do your best, he will have a look at you," said Potter yesterday.

"I played against TNS and I hope I have given the manager some food for thought. I am more comfortable in the middle than on the right, but you know that Steven Gerrard, the best player in Europe, Xabi Alonso and Didi Hamann are competing for those places, so it is not going to be easy playing there. But as far as I am concerned, I'd give an arm and a leg just to get a shirt in any position."

Is he referring to "Steven Gerrard, the best player in Europe" or "the best player in Europe, Xabi Alonso" ? :)

This whole cult of Steven Gerrard is driving me mad. Fine player undoubtedly but I think the UK media overlooked his direct involvement in Milan's 3rd goal. In my opinion Smicer, Hamann & Alonso did every bit as much to get Liverpool back into the CL final. I despair...but good news re-Potter.

[tetsujin1979]

According to Sky Sports, Potter is expected to keep his starting position on the right wing

[Stuttgart88]

I thought Darren Potter had a pretty good first half last night. Neat & tidy most of the time and was eager to get involved. Did well to get a good cross in and met a cross pretty well on the volley. Nothing to shout home about but it was encouraging, especially as he's out of position.

[tetsujin1979]

Steven Reid scored a free kic last night for Blackburn against Mallorca, supposed to have been a cracker too, anyone got a vid of it??

Michael Reddy scored the opener for Grimsby as they drew 1-1 with Leeds

[tetsujin1979]

I thought Darren Potter had a pretty good first half last night. Neat & tidy most of the time and was eager to get involved. Did well to get a good cross in and met a cross pretty well on the volley. Nothing to shout home about but it was encouraging, especially as he's out of position.

According this (http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N149466050726-0945.htm) on liverpool's site, he fancies himself for the right wing slot. He definately has a chance, Benitez has been playing him regularly there in pre-season

[youngirish]

Potter was in action again last night. He looked ok but I still reckon he'd be better in a more central role than wide out on the right. He's too lanky to be a wide player and I doubt if Duff, A Reid or McGeady will be too worried. Match Report here:
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N149477050726-2137.htm

It seems that most of the young Irish players that I mentioned at the beginning of this thread are figuring in the majority of their respective clubs pre-season games and therefore I reckon that many will break into the first team at some stage next year.

Of all these young players I've been particularly impressed with Bolton's Joey O'Brien. He's the type of midfield player we need coming through - likes to stick his foot in, is full of energy, makes bursting runs into the box and likes to have a pop from distance. Similar in many ways to a younger Roy Keane. Maybe I'm getting carried away but what are the chances of Keane and O'Brien being our midfield pairing in Germany next summer (if we indeed make it)? It's ceratinly a more attractive proposition on paper than Kilbane and Keane if O'Brien does indeed break into the Bolton team this season (and considering the amount of fixtures Bolton have with the League, the two cups and the UEFA cup he'll certainly get his chance to impress). It's a nice thought.

[youngirish]

Karl Bermingham scored for Man City against Sheffield Wed at the weekend. Whelan also scored for the Owls. Bermingham was singled out for parise by Man City captain Distin who reckons he is definitely one for the future. Check the lnk below:

http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/sport/football/manchestercity/s/167/167809_karl_rescues_blues_babies.html

[tetsujin1979]

Interview with Karl Bermingham after scoring for the first team on the official site here (http://www.mcfc.co.uk/default.sps?syndicatorguid={7EB24EFC-E397-48B3-977A-BC40E4795300}&rmasiteinstanceguid={5B147D34-2BCF-448D-976C-AE1944ED09F5}&pagegid={DBD12D53-8346-431D-A04F-5D0F8664DE80}&newsid=206385)

[youngirish]

I see Sundelrand signed LeTallec from Liverpool and are also looking at signing two more attackers - Andres Oper and Damani Ralph. Read the report here:

http://skysports.planetfootball.com/list.asp?hlid=296142&lid=3&cpid=8&title=McCarthy+eyes+overseas+duo&channel=premiership

They were also linked with Rasiak last week. Doesn't look like McCarthy has much faith in his young strike force. THis is bad news as I reckon Elliot may not be guaranteed a place in the starting line up now next season (if indeed he ever was) and I'd say Murphy is unlikely to get much of a look in.

[tetsujin1979]

Karl Bermingham followed up his strike for the first team at the weekend with the second goal against Burton Albion in a 3-2 defeat for Man City's reserves. Willo Flood and Stephen Ireland played no part in the side, so they may be involved against Olympiacos at the weekend.

Match report - here (http://www.mcfc.co.uk/default.sps?pageid=115&pagegid={DBD12D53-8346-431D-A04F-5D0F8664DE80}&newsid=211040&siteid=&pageno=&newscategory=1051&frommonth=6&fromyear=2005&tomonth=8&toyear=2005)

[youngirish]

Glowing praise for Stephen Ireland from Stuart Pearce here:

http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/sport/football/manchestercity/s/168/168185_ireland_gives_city_food_for_thought.html

[youngirish]

It hasn't been a great year for our young players in the premiership thus far.

Timlin and Daryl Murphy not only haven't made an appearance all season they haven't even been on the subs bench as I'm aware.

Flood and Mark Yeates have been farmed out to lower league teams and neither have pulled up any trees.

Kelly has perhaps surprisingly been confined to the subs bench for most of the season after impressing last year.

Elliot hasn't been great in the premiership so far but at least he's getting his game and he did in fairness play well yesterday against Middlesborough though a goal would have been nice.

Only Stephen Ireland and Joey O'Brien seem to be coming on this season. Ireland has been impressive as a sub now on two occasions for Man City and O'Brien played most of the game for Bolton against Portsmouth on Saturday and seemed to have a good game according to most sources. Did anyone see O'Brien or Ireland playing on Sat and if so how did they perform?

[tetsujin1979]

Timlin and Daryl Murphy not only haven't made an appearance all season they haven't even been on the subs bench as I'm aware.
Timlin played for Fulham on wednesday in the League Cup, he set up the winner.