Stephen Carr

[John83]

Think that's a bit harsh from Football365 - he did serve us well, at times;)
It looks like a letter to the editor rather than something Football365.com wrote.

I'd leave Carr where he is. Finnan should start, but is old enough that the next batch of right backs need to get some games. If Carr's in the squad too, they'll not get experience until we've no alternatives left but to start them.

[FarBeag]

I see someone has mentioned Gary Kelly.He played very well for Leeds tonight against Wigan and scored a smashing goal.First in four years I think.A much better bet than Carr if we need cover for Finnan.

[eirebhoy]

As a matter of interest, what was Kelly's reason for retiring?

[Roverstillidie]

As a matter of interest, what was Kelly's reason for retiring?

laziness.

i think he still has football to offer, but the attitude is best left in retirement. for a player of his quality, he really isnt missed as much as by the fans as i would have expected.

[Stuttgart88]

laziness.

i think he still has football to offer, but the attitude is best left in retirement. for a player of his quality, he really isnt missed as much as by the fans as i would have expected.

I think he was a Mick "loyalist". Once Mick went, and considering the circumstances, I think he felt it was time to go too. That's not based on anything I read, it's just the impression I got.

[as_i_say]

apparently thats the way of it alright. besides right back is the one position that we do have adequate cover for i suppose. some goal last night though.

[Stuttgart88]

I'm a bit torn on this one. I'd like to see Kelly back. He still has a lot of pace. But I'd like to see Stephen Kelly & Foley get a shot to build for the future.

Carr I won't miss. His stupid yellow cards and sub-standard performances against everyone except France (both games) were a factor in our demise. He was careless in the extreme in Basle & in the Faroes and picked up needless bookings causing suspension for the home Israel game. I'm only speculating but I can only guess that his sulky demeanour was a factor in the bad dressing room mood, though I believe Kerr wouldn't let him see his family on one trip.

Finnan is a cut above Carr in all respects.

Hasn't Gary Kelly also played left-back at some point?

[Dublin12]

Hasn't Gary Kelly also played left-back at some point?

Forget about Gary Kelly,he's well past international football.He's lost alot of pace and is not the player he was but infairness he's having an alright season so far in the championship and scored a blinding goal last night against Wigan,but if we get back to the premiership i'd imagine he'd struggle against the top teams.

[geysir]

I think he was a Mick "loyalist". Once Mick went, and considering the circumstances, I think he felt it was time to go too. That's not based on anything I read, it's just the impression I got.
He has been plagued with ankle injuries. We had Carr and Finnan ahead of him in the squad at the time. As Charlton said, players should not retire but put themselves on stand by (like Carsley did) and answer the call should the situation arise.

[Noelys Guitar]

Carr is still grossly overweight and might not get back into the Newcastle team. Having said that if he did get back in at Newcastle and was playing at the top of his game then yes he should be approached. Kiely is going to sign for Portsmouth and is another who we still need. And Mark Kennedy has being playing well for Wolves and should also be brought back in.

[Stuttgart88]

Agree, esp on Kennedy. Noely, do you see him as a LB option?

[onenilgameover]

Now freakin way...the last thing we need is someone one is not fully commited. I hope/think staunton will realise that....

[Condex]

No he should be left to fester when we qualify for Euro2008:)

[livehead1]

No he should be left to fester when we qualify for Euro2008:)
lol, fester, i like it ,quality

[OwlsFan]

Looks as if it is an academic question for a while at least:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/n/newcastle_united/4627988.stm

[Dublin12]

I'd have the tub of lard back.We don't have a big enough pool of players too be picky and we need everybody available,especially those in the premiership,plus it's competition for finnan or whoever else might fancy that spot,it's good to keep everybody on their toes,I think Robbie Keane went off the boil with Ireland because he didn't have any competition and he was guaranteed his place even if he was having a mare,we can't let this happen again.Anyway,yes I'd have him back.

[geysir]

Afair repetitive serious enough injuries were his reasons for retiring from Internat squad. Unless he has turned into a union jack waver, straight armed saluting neo fascist I don't hold anything against the guy, he never asked to be picked,
I'd blame Kerr :)

[Stuttgart88]

The Guardian gave Gary Kelly MOTM for his performance against SWFC.

[OwlsFan]

The Guardian gave Gary Kelly MOTM for his performance against SWFC.

Hardly the basis for a recall :( I heard the Leeds' fans were shouting "shoot" every time he got the ball on the half way line after his goal against Wigan.

[tricky_colour]

I don't know what all this talk of expecting players to come out of retirement
is about, I don't think any of them retired because they had a problem with
the manager, so I don't see how a change of manager would effect their
decision.

[tetsujin1979]

from rte.ie

Newcastle United's Stephen Carr is to return to the Republic of Ireland squad, despite having announced his retirement last October following Ireland's failure to qualify for the World Cup.

However, an invitation from new manager Steve Staunton, and a meeting with Ireland international football consultant Bobby Robson, has tempted Carr to change his mind and is set to return to the Republic of Ireland Squad.

Carr announced his retirement from international football last October. He has not figured for Newcastle in over four months due to a persistent groin injury

[brine3]

the only good news out of our failure to qualify was his retirement

[oconghc2]

theres no way he should keep finan from right back!! and it goes against what he said about looking to the future!! he wont be around for 2010!

will we get to see kelly - o brien etc getting a chance now? Only thing is his experience - but hes never even played in a big tournament!

[thejollyrodger]

CRIPPLE - dont need him

[Fergie's Son]

Whether we need him or not, it does suggest good things about the current set-up that they could tempt him back.

[oconghc2]

isnt that what we all thought about kerr and keane? carr retired too early for my liking - although i think we can do ok without him.

i just hope to god that senior mediocracy doesnt gets a game ahead of young talent

[livehead1]

isnt that what we all thought about kerr and keane? carr retired too early for my liking - although i think we can do ok without him.

i just hope to god that senior mediocracy doesnt gets a game ahead of young talent
post of the month

[kingcolers]

carr hasn't been good for years and i can't remember the last time he did anything positive in an irish game. and his sullen, surly attitude is hard to take. must be the biggest pr*ck to wear an irish jersey ever.

given that fullback is one of the few positions in which we seem relatively healthy, why is staunton going to so much trouble to bring him back?

[as_i_say]

yeah terrible news. i'd have gary kelly back before that fat moany goit who kept a european champ from his rightful place on the team-though its kerrs fault for picking the turnip.

[Donal81]

Can someone write calmly and clearly why Carr is so unliked? I'm not being smart here, it's a genuine question.

His footballing ability is obviously up for debate but he didn't play any worse over the campaign than Robbie Keane, Damien Duff or Kevin Kilbane - I thought we were let down by a lot of players.

Why is Carr so unpopular?

[elroy]

I'd be along the same lines as Donal, I dont think hes a better full back than Finnan but he's playing in the premiership and if he gets injury free can be a fine player. Would rather have him available for selection than not.

[Roverstillidie]

.

Why is Carr so unpopular?

he is universally considered to be a thoroughly unpleasant man. walks around in a huff all the time, doesnt do autographs, the press etc. not liked by players, media or any fan unlucky enough to cross him.

[raytown red]

can any body tell me why we need three right backs in the squad, finnan has bein class all season and kelly has looked good every time he has come on for spurs. carr is a w*****r who thinks he to good for the team!!!!!

[Stuttgart88]

He played well in the 2 French games, but that's all. He made some really sloppy mistakes in Basle & Tel Aviv. Silly yellow cards got him suspended for Israel at home which made a difference I think. His attitude was crap throughout the campaign, probably due to a bad relationship with Kerr.

Finnan is streets ahead of him & I agree that O'Brien and Kelly are due a shot. But if we had a competitive game next month I'd prefer to see Carr there than Kelly, and probably O'Brien just because of his experience.

Kerr tried Carr at left-back in the Jackie McNamara game in June but he didn't look too comfortable so I'm not sure he's the answer there. I actually felt for a long time that Carr would be a good RHM option, not Finnan.

Anyway, just because he has "unretired" doesn't mean he has to be picked. The more players we have available the better, even if they aren't popular. Staunton should be telling him he has to earn his place & not just assume he'll be a fixture just because he's got a reputation.

[raytown red]

Could it be possible that stan is trying to get him back to give him the captaincy??

[Donal81]

Finnan obviously deserves his place at RF, I never understood how Carr got his game ahead of him.

I've read a couple of hacks' stories about Carr or rather stories about stories. It just seems unusual - how many Irish players get called w*nker by Irish supporters? With the exception of those involved in Saipan, he seems the only one.

Would he come back as cover to Finnan, though?

[Jaime]

He'll be back-up for Finnan; nothing more than that. Finnan is a stronger player in every department and hopefully Staunton won't repeat Kerr's madcap right-back selection.

[Karlos]

I have to say I find some of the comments made about Stephen Carr here very harsh. Can only speak from personnal experience but he's always been a nice guy whenever I've seen him with fellow fans. He's from an area right beside where I'm from in Dublin and he can regualry be seen with his wife during the summer months doing his shopping in the local shops and chatting to the kids etc.

In my opinion, he has always given his all while playing for us. Sad to hear this level of abuse thrown at a proud Irishman but maybe many of you have valid reasons for it. However I don't find it particulary nice to read (as hard as it is for me to say that about a former Spurs player!). :( :)

[livehead1]

There are two reasons Carr has come crawling back: first of all, Sir Bobby Robson knows him from Newcastle and will have had a word with him. Secondly, he is cover in case Finnan, Kelly, O'Brien or JOS get abducted by aliens.
Carr's attitude is disgraceful. He is the biggest pr!ck to ever wear the green. I hope someone points this thread out to him. I know some of the lads log in from time to time ... . . .

and what lads would they be exactly?!

[Docboy]

Met the chap in Crete back in the summer of 1997 on holiday with his pal and I have to say he was good crack back then that was the year he broke into the spurs first-team, I knew of him as I'm a spurs man myself. Can even remember mocking him half-heartedly on the day he was going home as I was there for the summer. Never really looks like he's enjoying himself on the pitch when seeing as he's on those wages he should be. However it can't hurt to have proven premiership player in the squad even if he has never attained the heights he did in those early years at the yids.

[eirebhoy]

I don't think anyone would choose to be a crank 24/7 so you'd have to feel sorry for him. ;)

[The Legend]

and what lads would they be exactly?!

Indeed, it is I, Roy Keane.... ;)

[Closed Account 2]

They used to call him Samson at Spurs... he lost all his skill and strength when he shaved his head.

He used to be one of our best players but has been very average for us for around 4-5 years now.

[geysir]

Its a sad farce to be passing judgements based on rumors/heresay and on how a player looks on the field. Its his standard of play which is the question. With the drop in his standard of play I wouldn't be expecting him to be cracking jokes about penalty misses with Shay Given. It is a curious move by Staunton to get him back and as he keeps saying that he is not daft, maybe behind the grim reaper facade there lurks a sound option as a substitute.

[as_i_say]

ok if he was brought back as cover then fair enough but if he gets in the first team ahead of finnan ill burn my staunton doll. maybe some humility on the bench might sort him out./ also he should definitely grow his hair back.

[youngirish]

Who knows maybe if the new managment are so influential that they can convince Carr to come back possibly they could also convince John O'Shea to retire.

Then we might start going places.

[FarBeag]

I can't comment on the guys personality and it’s really does not matter, but for the life of me I don't know why Staunton want him back.The man is finished pure and simple.

[zinedineontour]

the lad might be a moany ****** but is a quality player ... if he gets a good run of games free from injuries will be delighted to have him back .. We dont have a huge pool and why people are gunning for kelly who isnt a regular for spurs is beyond me ...

[zinedineontour]

Because Kelly is fast, hard-working, gets forward and can tackle. In short, everything Carr used to do 5 years ago.
WE DON'T NEED YOU CARR YOU MISERABLE PR!CK

hope the lad does well for us but worrying he cant get in ahead of stalteri for spurs ..

[JimmyP]

I think begging Carr to come back gives the wrong message to Finnan, who is one of the most consistent and in-form Irish players at the moment (and has been for a while).

I'm all for having Carr as cover should we be stuck some time, but if he's going to come back with a "I didn't come out of retirement to sit on the bench" attitude then I don't believe it helps our cause at all.
We'll wait and see...