SPL better than eircom League – Hoolahan

[Dr.Nightdub]

Admittedly I pay little or no attention to the English or Scottish Leagues, but does recent history not prove that the Shop Window Theory of football transfers is pure hokum?

OK, Kevin Doyle is doing well at a team that's doing well, but don't forget it's only his first season over there so let's not lose the run of ourselves. Nor does one swallow make a summer.

On the other hand, evidence for the prosecution:
Colin Hawkins
Dessie Byrne
Richie Foran
Trevor Molloy
Clive Delaney
Noel Hunt
Shaun Maher
Daryl Murphy
Whatsisname that went from Kilkenny to Sunderland years back

While Foran, Hunt and Maher are all undoubtedly doing better over there as regards financial terms than they would here, it's hardly acted as a springboard for going on to brighter and better things as regards subsequent transfers - i.e. the famous shop window turned out to have frosted glass.

[Poor Student]

He will be playing against 2 good clubs and 1 decent enough club. Talking about what other clubs are doing is pathetic attempt at trying to boost the club that you are going to. Livingston arent Celtic, Rangers or Hearts.



Do you actually know that much about the SPL? If Rangers are 1 good club or decent enough, then what does that make Hibs who are ahead of Rangers?

[MrJoeSoap]

Daryl Murphy

Bit harsh. Started the game at Highbury, but its always going to be tough to make an impact in such a woeful team. Not saying he's made a huge impact but give him time at least.

[MrJoeSoap]

Do you actually know that much about the SPL? If Rangers are 1 good club or decent enough, then what does that make Hibs who are ahead of Rangers?

But Rangers are in the CL knock-out stages...

[Poor Student]

But Rangers are in the CL knock-out stages...

The question still holds.

[Dr.Nightdub]

Bit harsh. Started the game at Highbury, but its always going to be tough to make an impact in such a woeful team. Not saying he's made a huge impact but give him time at least.

My mistake, I should've included him in the too-early-to-tell bracket along with Kevin Doyle.

[MrJoeSoap]

My mistake, I should've included him in the too-early-to-tell bracket along with Kevin Doyle.

Maybe you could create a new "Top scorer for the club running away with the English Championship and rated as the 6th best player in England outside the Premiership by the Independent while valued at roughly 40 times what he cost the club just over 6 months ago" bracket just for Doyle?

Deep breath...

[Dr.Nightdub]

If Doyle is first-choice centre forward for Reading in the Premiership next season and they don't buy in someone else ahead of him, I'll admit I was wrong. However, all that's hypothetical - I'm talking about actual achievements. I'm not knocking what Doyle has achieved, it's been fantastic, but I bet when he went across, most Cork fans were saying "he could do miles better than bleedin' Reading."

And as regards the main thrust of this thread - the Shop Window Theory of transfers as it applies to Hoolahan and Livingston - it's too soon to cite Kevin Doyle (or Daryl Murphy) as evidence one way or the other.

[MrJoeSoap]

If Doyle is first-choice centre forward for Reading in the Premiership next season and they don't buy in someone else ahead of him, I'll admit I was wrong. However, all that's hypothetical - I'm talking about actual achievements. I'm not knocking what Doyle has achieved, it's been fantastic, but I bet when he went across, most Cork fans were saying "he could do miles better than bleedin' Reading."

And as regards the main thrust of this thread - the Shop Window Theory of transfers as it applies to Hoolahan and Livingston - it's too soon to cite Kevin Doyle (or Daryl Murphy) as evidence one way or the other.

I suppose that pretty much sums it up.

Each case should be taken on its own merit, and only time will tell.

[Raheny Red]

Will there be any highlights on Setanta of the Livi game??


Just on a side note Clyde are beating Celtic 2-0 at half time!

[MrJoeSoap]

Will there be any highlights on Setanta of the Livi game??


Just on a side note Clyde are hammering Celtic 2-0 at half time!

Corrected! :p

Theyve also missed a penalty and had two goals disallowed. Wonderful for all the ABCoR heads out there.

[Raheny Red]

http://www.rte.ie/aertel/p238.htm

Livingston manager Paul Lambert praised
Wes Hoolahan for his contribution after
the new signing showed some nice
touches in the Scottish Cup tie away at
Alloa which ended 1-1.

He said: 'Wes hasn't played for six
weeks, but he did really well when he
came on and will get better with more
training and we will see his full
ability as the season progresses.

Michael Bolochoweckyj put Alloa ahead
on 66 minutes but Livi midfielder
Richard Brittain curled a wonderful
equaliser deep into injury time to save
the blushes of the Bank of Scotland
Premier League strugglers.

[dcfcsteve]

Livingston are never ever going to see Europe.

Errrr - just to correct you there Jolly : Livi were in the UEFA Cup in 2002. Beat Vaduz before losing out to Sturm Graz....

They're still muck this season though, and will struggle to stay up.

[pineapple stu]

Whatsisname that went from Kilkenny to Sunderland years back
Michael Reddy (just in case it was one of those ones that drives you mad trying to remember!)

[thejollyrodger]

Do you actually know that much about the SPL? If Rangers are 1 good club or decent enough, then what does that make Hibs who are ahead of Rangers?

I meant the Celtic the Ranger and hibs.

I dont follow the scottish league because i think its just an excuse for rascism and bigitory.





Quote:
Originally Posted by thejollyrodger
Livingston are never ever going to see Europe.

Errrr - just to correct you there Jolly : Livi were in the UEFA Cup in 2002. Beat Vaduz before losing out to Sturm Graz....

They're still muck this season though, and will struggle to stay up.

I never knew that, but they didnt crack europe when they were there:ball:

[Raheny Red]

Originally posterd by thejollyrodger
I dont follow the scottish league because i think its just an excuse for rascism and bigitory.


That is a ridiculous excuse really! Just because of a few gobshítes involved with the Old Firm and few others in the Edinburgh derbey are bigots doesn't make the whole scottish league an excuse for racism and bigotry!

[dcfcsteve]

I never knew that, but they didnt crack europe when they were there:ball:

No - but they did crack Vaduz, which is better than Longford did ! :)

And they also put 6 goals past Sturm Graz but still managed to lose.... ! :eek:

[sfc red]

Yawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwn...time for a thread close perhaps???

[Mark Breen]

I think i said that 3 pages ago...

Mod's thread is finished please close...

[superfrank]

Imo, SPL is better and anyone who says different is fooling themselves. It is a fully professional league, unlike over here. Just because there are only three or four top teams doesn't make the other eight crap.

I think Cork, Shels and Derry would end up aroun 7th,8th and 9th at best.

[Risteard]

Imo, SPL is better and anyone who says different is fooling themselves.
:D :D

[dancinpants]

Well Mr Hoolahan,

How'd it feel playing the last 17 minutes and getting beat 2-1 at home by Alloa (8 points adrift at the bottom of the Scottish 2nd Division)?

Step up? LMFAO :D

[pete]

I suppose its like Shels losing to Bluebell United or someone...?

1 less chance for Hoolahan to play against bigger clubs in the cup.

[B-Stand]

Well Mr Hoolahan,

How'd it feel playing the last 17 minutes and getting beat 2-1 at home by Alloa (8 points adrift at the bottom of the Scottish 2nd Division)?

Step up? LMFAO :D


....in front of a crowd of....















...wait for it....


























1,518 :D

[pete]

Obviously joke so i'll make it before anyone gets there but even a former Shels players might feel 1500 a small crowd...

[garykelly]

SPL v EL

Seems this debate is going round in circles. not sure if it's been suggested but why not (in time) add some scottish teams to the setanta cup, (excluding celtic and rangers). since they cover the SPL. Maybe the top two or three clubs in the league (excluding old firm) and maybe the 1st division winners. Or some sort of other format.

IMO the SPL is a better league on the whole but the top clubs in the EL are better than some opposition in the SPL. The EL is growing nicely (despite adversity) and it would be nice to look back in 5 years and know that the EL is as good if not better than the SPL on the whole.

Also the Welsh Prem League cannot be seen as better than the EL. IMO the EL is way ahead of the WPL.

[pineapple stu]

Would love to see a big League Cup tournament between all the league clubs from England, Ireland, the North, Scotland and Wales, obviously with staggered entry points to Monaghan don't draw Man Utd in the First Round. It's been talked about once or twice I think, but with us in summer soccer, that'd knock it on the head for us at least.

It'd be interesting to admit, say, the SD1 champions and runners-up and the top two clubs in Wales. Again, though, there's only so much time to play with because of the summer/winter swap.

[BohDiddley]

Well Mr Hoolahan,

How'd it feel playing the last 17 minutes and getting beat 2-1 at home by Alloa (8 points adrift at the bottom of the Scottish 2nd Division)?

Step up? LMFAO :D
LMAO at that one! And someone wanted to close this thread?
They can now! :D: