Stephen Hunt

[Supreme feet]

Or Robbie Keane flying out to Albania just after his father passed away. He may look forlorn on the pitch at times, but he does genuinely care about playing for Ireland. The problem sometimes is that he tries too hard.

[FarBeag]

I agree totally with all listed but would have to include Robbie Keane.Things do not always go to plan for him but he clearly puts 100% effort in everytime.

I love Hunt and Kilbane.They may not be the most tecnically gifted but they would sweat blood for their country.

[backstothewall]

I would add Carsley. Given his domestic situation, age, and how he had been treated, coming back at all, even if in a limited way showed true dedication

[bellavistaman]

Robbie Keane gives as much to the cause as Kilbane, al the players mentioned above are a credit to our country IMO....

Theres just not good. :D:D:D

Na i reckon we'll qualify this year, cant wait for tomorrow love the international games, tomorrow is massive for us and trap

[Wheels]

Dean Kiely has been on our bench for YEARS and has only a handful of caps... he's a top class keeper and to have stuck with us like that shouldn't be forgotten either.

In fairness I think they all really want to be there and to do well. They've just needed someone to unite them and give them direction. Hopefully they have that again now.

[youngirish]

Dean Kiely has been on our bench for YEARS and has only a handful of caps... he's a top class keeper and to have stuck with us like that shouldn't be forgotten either.


He actually retired years ago because he was sick of being on the bench. He only came back into the fold recently.

[gustavo]

I don't really think that running around like a puppy on speed should single him out as being extraordinarily dedicated to his country , I've no doubt that the vast majority of the squad are just as proud to play for their country as him

[Dun Laoire]

I think Davy Keogh deserves a mention too!! Ha!:D

[christo]

Ok so here is my idea:

Hunt works hard, runs up and down the line and puts in a lot of tackles

However he loses the ball a lot trying to beat players, has a poor enough touch and plays a lot of stray passes

It sounds like he is more suited to be a full back than a winger

[irishultra]

+1 Ciaran.

He just needs to compose himself. I wish someone would just tell him to relax on the ball, because thats all it needs.

I was shocked by his touch in these two qualifiers, he normally is much better. In fact his first touch and crossing are his best attributes.

[Bonovox]

A pub player..............

[Duggie]

terrible game, should have been hauled off. no first touch or skill just runs with no direction. should be just used as a sub in the future, cant wait for duff to come back in.

[Pike B]

How this guy gets paid to play football is beyond me. He's terrible.

[amaccann]

If one of his many, many possession losses had have resulted in a goal for the Montys, I think this question would have answered itself.

[Duggie]

i was screaming at the tv last night to get him off. gave it away every single time and the dead ball crossing was desperate.

[Pike B]

Not to sound rude but is he a bit slow mentally or what?

[seanfhear]

I would worry about stephen hunt getting sent off(was`nt he sent off once already).Referee`s at international may over-react to his style of harassing(best word I could think of)opposition players.Most of it is legitimate but it worries me.
Duff if fit is a better option and liam Lawrence probably too.
I do think that new players onto the Irish scene are expected to serve a sort of apprenticeship.
This may or may not be fair depending on ones opinion.If we were too quick to discard players for say newly qualified players it might ruin the spirit of the squad.

[Drumcondra 69er]

How this guy gets paid to play football is beyond me. He's terrible.

Ridiculous statement. Based on his performances for us on the last 2 games?

His first touch was chronic but he didn't look out of place in the EPL last year, his touch was a lot better as was his crossing and dead ball delivery. Needs to relax more, think playing for Ireland means so much to him that he's trying too hard. He'll be on th bench once Duff's fit anyway.

I can remember exactly the same things being said about Kevin Kilbane in the past and he's now played 50 consecutive competitive games and been a magnificent servant to the team.

[Scram]

If one of his many, many possession losses had have resulted in a goal for the Montys, I think this question would have answered itself.

I think you're right!

Hunt should not be preferred to Andy reid.

I think a poll would show about 100% agreement with that statement

Hunt looked impressive taking corners for Reading etc. but he gave the ball away so much v Montenegro I think it's evident now that his best usage is as an impact sub.

I would have Reid on before McGeady also.

[Paddy Garcia]

To be honest I think he's nervous playing for Ireland,

Nowhere near as nervious as I am when he is playing.

I agree with the comments that his style at international level is not going to endear him to officials. he looks a liability.

[OwlsFan]

Heard on Setanta this am that Spurs have put in a 5 million bid for him.

[Noelys Guitar]

Heard on Setanta this am that Spurs have put in a 5 million bid for him.

The bookies have him odds-on to be a Premierhsip player by end of deadline. He went from 3/1 to 4/6.

[noby]

BBC are saying Spurs or Wigan.

[tricky_colour]

Spurs have just signed Robbie Keane, probably make a move less likely??

[Den Perry]

I've never met the guy but I just cannot stand him. Anytime I've seen him interviewed he comes across as an arrogant ****.In addition he wrote last year in some column that Stephen Ireland should "be a man" if he comes back into the Irish squad. In fairness, Hunt who is not in the squad that long should not be getting involved(and probably antagonising Ireland). In addition he's not fit to lace Ireland's boots....

[DeLorean]

I've never met the guy but I just cannot stand him. Anytime I've seen him interviewed he comes across as an arrogant ****.In addition he wrote last year in some column that Stephen Ireland should "be a man" if he comes back into the Irish squad. In fairness, Hunt who is not in the squad that long should not be getting involved(and probably antagonising Ireland). In addition he's not fit to lace Ireland's boots....

I think he's just a bit thick to be honest. I heard him interviewed on Newstalk one evening and the interviewer was very pushy about the Stephen Ireland situation. He just kept sayin the wrong thing and then trying to cover it up. Same thing when he was on Tubridy Tonight.

[Stuttgart88]

I think he's just a bit thick to be honest. That's exactly what I thought after the Tubridy show.

[OwlsFan]

I see he's commited himself to the next 4 years at Reading by signing a contract. It was obviously a wait and see and when a deal wasn't done with any third party, Reading decided to tie him up with a contract.

[Colbert Report]

Reading look certain to go up at the end of this season and I reckon they have the staying power to stay up there this time.

[dr_peepee]

Coppel will have to buy though... That's what got them last year, he didn't bring anyone in after the decent first season. Doyle even had to play right midfield alot. Some people forget that when they cite his meagre goals return that season...

[OwlsFan]

Coppel will have to buy though... That's what got them last year, he didn't bring anyone in after the decent first season. ...

But that's also the reason they're able to compete to get back. They didn't put themselves in to penury to try and stay in the division like some other clubs.

[Den Perry]

But that's also the reason they're able to compete to get back. They didn't put themselves in to penury to try and stay in the division like some other clubs.


the two seasons they spent in EPL their defence was terrible...

also, is Hannaman still with them? he is the archtypal "dodgy keeper"

[OwlsFan]

the two seasons they spent in EPL their defence was terrible...

also, is Hannaman still with them? he is the archtypal "dodgy keeper"

Not sure but their keeper in the last game against QPR was Federici. Reading have avoided doing what many teams did, including many League of Ireland teams, namely overspending and putting the future of the club at risk for the sake of short term gains. With their Irish connections I hope both they and Wolves get the automatic promotion slots.

[seahawk]

the two seasons they spent in EPL their defence was terrible...

also, is Hannaman still with them? he is the archtypal "dodgy keeper"


Not sure but their keeper in the last game against QPR was Federici. Reading have avoided doing what many teams did, including many League of Ireland teams, namely overspending and putting the future of the club at risk for the sake of short term gains. With their Irish connections I hope both they and Wolves get the automatic promotion slots.

Marcus is still with the team. He was injured earlier in the year and lost his place to Federici. But he is now on the bench as a sub in the recent games.

I am a Yank who has Irish heritage. I choose Reading as my club team to support and root for the U.S. and Ireland in international football.

[tetsujin1979]

Brendan Rodgers expects Hunt to move to the Premiership: http://www.skysports.com/video/clips/0,23791,15855_5421459,00.html

[lionelhutz]

Brendan Rodgers expects Hunt to move to the Premiership: http://www.skysports.com/video/clips/0,23791,15855_5421459,00.html

Who in gods name is Brendan Rodgers?

In relation to Hunt, anybody else think his attitude in the media about leaving Reading has put clubs off signing him? He should have really conducted himself better about the whole matter, ala Kevin Doyle.

[superfrank]

Who in gods name is Brendan Rodgers?
The new Reading boss.

[Thommo]

I believe he was aggrieved last Summer when apparently Everton had made an offer for him and he really wanted to go but it was below Reading's valuation, so I think he's determined to leave this summer.
According to Rogers he has conducted himself very professionally so far in pre-season training.

[tricky_colour]

Who in gods name is Brendan Rodgers?

In relation to Hunt, anybody else think his attitude in the media about leaving Reading has put clubs off signing him? He should have really conducted himself better about the whole matter, ala Kevin Doyle.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brendan_Rodgers

[Crosby87]

Who in gods name is Brendan Rodgers?


Even I know that one.

Actually he knows my fellow New Yorker Liam Neeson, from his days in Ballymena. I know this b/c I sat next to Liam at a Mets game and we chated football the whole time!
Now dont say I never taught ya anything.

[Thommo]

Apparently Rogers is highly rated by Mourinho, notice he is fluent in Spanish and learning Italian, it probably nowadays a pre-requisite for a premiership manager to have these languages with the amount of central Europeans in the English game.
Can you imagine Brian Clough learning Spanish?:)

Be interesting to see how he get's on with Reading great to see another Irishman managing in the premiership.

[Ozymandias]

Apparently Rogers is highly rated by Mourinho, notice he is fluent in Spanish and learning Italian, it probably nowadays a pre-requisite for a premiership manager to have these languages with the amount of central Europeans in the English game.
Can you imagine Brian Clough learning Spanish?:)

Be interesting to see how he get's on with Reading great to see another Irishman managing in the premiership.

he is managing in the championship

[Thommo]

Yeah I know man just saying it would be great to see him get them up into the premiership and see another Irishman managing there.
Sorry for any confusion.

[Maroon 7]

Signing for Hull it seems. Might be back in the championship again by next Summer.

[tricky_colour]

Signing for Hull it seems. Might be back in the championship again by next Summer.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/h/hull_city/8194503.stm

Hull City have agreed a fee with Reading for Republic of Ireland winger Stephen Hunt.


I guess a lot of teams might find themelves back in the championship, anyway it will be interesting to see how he gets on there.

[irishfan86]

Hull will be hard-pressed to stay up, but on the plus side, he'll get plenty of top-flight football in the lead-up to the World Cup, as he will be undisputed first choice.

[SkStu]

looks like he messed Reading about in the deluded expectation that a top 10 team would come in for him and now that that hasnt transpired and he cant stay at Reading, he's off to Hull.

He is an idiot but good luck to him.

[OwlsFan]

There are going to be a lot of teams trying to avoid those bottom 3 places, including Hull, Wolves, Birmingham, Burnley, Stoke, Portsmouth, Wigan.

Hull, judging by their end of season run, will definitely be one of those and I am not sure a player gets a lot of confidence playing in a struggling side and for an egotistical manager. I hope Hunt succeeds in the Premiership but I have my doubts.

[elroy]

Well at least he'll be a guaranteed starter there, Hull are 3/4 players short of being safe this season in my opinion, unless a few players already there step up to the mark ie Folan for one.

[geysir]

He is one of the elite of Irish football players in the English leagues and
has a good chance of nailing his place on an EPL team.
Not bad going for the scruffy fellow.
The lad has done very well.