Stephen Hunt [Archive] - Page 6

Torn-Ado

11/01/2008, 1:02 PM

He should stay at Reading for the moment. Doyle should stay there too. Hunt is still improving and getting much better as the season goes on. He's high on confidence and playing well. Let him do his stuff where he is. Moving to another club could derail him.

If, by the end of the season, or next season he is still impressing premiership managers, then he should consider it.

dr_peepee

11/01/2008, 1:08 PM

I think people underestimate the quality of his delivery and that very valuable asset - timing. He often pops up at the right place at the right time.

I think the package Reading are offering will set him up for life and he's already on the road to being very wealthy anyway. I think he'd be surrounded by mediocrity at Sunderland and if a move to the likes of Everton is on the cards he should take it but Sunderland would be an unnecessary gamble.

If it ain't broke don't fix it, as they say.

Even aside from the money, do you not feel though that Reading are gonna wind up like Charlton?? I think Reading, are as good as they're ever gonna get. I also think when Coppell goes, which could be soon enough, they'll back out of the division.

There's scope for growth at Sunderland that's not there at Reading

The more discerning of us had championed Hunt for a long time.

His direct style of play, urgency and intelligent reading of the game are very effective.

Doesn't always harnass all of that energy in the right way and has a tendency to waste energy running onto lost causes but a minor gripe.

Should be a hugely influential player for us in the next campaign.

Will be interesting if Duff ever hits form again!!!!

Drumcondra 69er

11/01/2008, 1:09 PM

I'm in total agreement with you. I think his attitude is spot on and has been sorely lacking among some of his International team mates.

My point was more along the lines that he was almost overly psyched up against the Czechs away and got himself sent off.

Possibly, like Roy Keane - he needs to have that edge to his game to perform to his level best.

Think that was really more down to the fact that he felt he had something to prove having been left out of the 11 and also the reception he was getting off teh home crowd. I dunno how it came over on the telly but they utterly despise him in the Czech Republic, it's a long time since I've seen so much vitriol aimed at one player from the crowd at a game. I still think it was harsh in any case and it was the reception teh crowd had given hiom that made the ref's mind up.

He should have gone for that tackle against Man City mind you but you have to consider his relative inexperience and assume that he'll control that aspect of his game in future.

Stuttgart88

11/01/2008, 1:15 PM

There's scope for growth at Sunderland that's not there at Reading

Will be interesting if Duff ever hits form again!!!!
You might be right, but right now I think Reading only need 2-3 more players to maeningfully enhance their team. I think Sunderland need more than that and have shed loads of mediocre players on their books.

Sunderland are a bit "faddy" for my liking. A lot of talk but no substance - yet anyway.

Recent signs have been encouraging re-Duff I think.

gustavo

11/01/2008, 1:23 PM

He'd be mad to go to Sunderland , should stay where he is , Not that Coppell will accept an offer anyway.

EAFC_rdfl

11/01/2008, 1:25 PM

unless sunderland get at least one experienced and useful centre back during this window they will be up against it to avoid relegation. Doesn't matter what you have going forward if you consistently concede 3 goals in a game. Thats why Hunt should avoid going there at all costs IMO. With Kieran Richardson already there would he be guaranteed a starting spot??

tetsujin1979

11/01/2008, 1:27 PM

With Kieran Richardson already there would he be guaranteed a starting spot??
Possibly not, but Keane isn't going to blow the best part of 5 million on one player jst so he can sit on the bench.

Dr. Ogba

11/01/2008, 1:38 PM

Possibly not, but Keane isn't going to blow the best part of 5 million on one player jst so he can sit on the bench.

i take it you were being sarcastic there? ;)

drinkfeckarse

11/01/2008, 2:01 PM

Interesting going back to the early posts in this thread.

http://foot.ie/showthread.php?t=33464&highlight=stephen+hunt

He's come a long way in 2 years.

That's what I was getting at really. I doubt that he ever thought he'd see the day that he was being offered �30k p/w.

eirebhoy

11/01/2008, 2:20 PM

I remember laughing reading an article a few years ago with Brentford's Hunt saying he hopes to get a chance to play in the rumoured B match and get a chance to challenge Duff for the left wing spot. :)

Stuttgart88

11/01/2008, 2:24 PM

If nothing else it just shows how ludicrous it for people writing off players just either side of 20, as they're doing now.

Finnan was a late developer and Jon Walters seems to be too.

Earlier in the previous Stephun Hunt thread some were questioning the wisdom of picking a 25 year old! The 2006 WC showed that you can't beat experience.

tetsujin1979

11/01/2008, 3:18 PM

i take it you were being sarcastic there? ;)I don't even know anymore ;)

DotTV

11/01/2008, 3:33 PM

DmanDmythDledge

11/01/2008, 5:13 PM

If Hunt leaves Reading and I hope he does, he has to chose Everton if he looks at it from a professional viewpoint. If he choses Sunderland he needs his head examined.

However, he is a red so he might chose to avoid the BS.

Everton - European football, doing very nicely in the PL (back in europe next season), possible carling cup final at wembley.

Sunderland - relegation battle and possible championship football next season.

Reading - football in the lower half of the PL with the danger of getting dragged into the relegation battle.
He wouldn't get his game at Everton. He's better off staying with Reading at the moment if they are the only clubs interested in him.

ramsfan

11/01/2008, 5:17 PM

money talks, reading are a steady club in good financial state who will stay in prem for a long time, sunderland are just building but they are not really buying quality if they get relegated pressure may come on keane financially and job wise and acouple of seasons in championship could be disastrous for hunts reputation and ireland chances

Irish_Praha

11/01/2008, 6:15 PM

I think over the next five years we will see more and more "late bloomers" and by that I mean players who establish themselves in the top division in their mid to late 20's rather then their early 20's. This is a by-product of the top teams buying in ready-made talent from abroad and not being willing to take a risk on young unproven players from their youth teams, who then end up having to drop a few divisions. The players they have misjudged will prove their worth in the lower divisions and work their way back up to the top division after a few years through a low to mid table team and when they have proven themselves for a few seasons at that club they will eventually be snapped up by a top team. It's probably not such a bad thing as I reckon with the improvement in diat, fitness regimes and surgery, more and more players will still be able to play at the top level well into their 30's.

irishfan86

11/01/2008, 6:17 PM

With Kieran Richardson already there would he be guaranteed a starting spot??

I read an interview where Keane talked about his versatility, about how he could play on both wings successfully.

To be honest, with a fully healthy lineup, the winger positions would be a 3 way battle between Richardson on the left, Edwards on the right, and Hunt in Roy's view can play on either side.

Considering both of those players are made of glass, he'd have plenty of playing time even if form and ability alone couldn't do it (which in my view they can).

I've watched almost every Reading game this season and Hunt is NOT a grafter.

Just because a player works hard does not mean he lacks talent. He just combines at worst slightly above average talent with tremendous desire and athleticism.

You do not score and set up the amount of goals he has this season by "trying hard."

tetsujin1979

11/01/2008, 8:23 PM

He wouldn't get his game at Everton. He's better off staying with Reading at the moment if they are the only clubs interested in him.
Dunno about that, Johnson has fallen out of favour. Anichebe and Vaughn are still very young. I think Doyle would be an effective partner to Yakubu, who's off on African Cup of Nations duty. At the very least, he would be first choice in the short term.

tricky_colour

11/01/2008, 11:52 PM

I think he should stay where he is, he has done very well at Reading and become established there, he seems to be 'part of the furniture' there. Coppel seems to have had belief in him which goes back a long way. Things can all to often go pear shaped after a 'big money' move.
http://www.officialplayersites.com/players/hunt/article.php?id=764

rambler14

12/01/2008, 9:31 AM

He is probably our brightest talent at the moment and a move to Sunderland would be totally the wrong move. He should stay were he is. If he goes to Sunderland he'll either look for a new club in 5 months time because Sunderland went down or he will rot in the championship.

DmanDmythDledge

12/01/2008, 2:52 PM

Dunno about that, Johnson has fallen out of favour. Anichebe and Vaughn are still very young. I think Doyle would be an effective partner to Yakubu, who's off on African Cup of Nations duty. At the very least, he would be first choice in the short term.
I was talking about Hunt.;)

BigmanCas

08/02/2008, 2:34 PM

Stephan Hunts remarks in todays paper beggars belief. Giving out about Don Givens not picking him as he is in form? Keep talkin like that and he'll not endear himself to the new boss. He might be playing reasonably ok but not near good enough to displace the wingers on show. It really pains me to hear people cheer his name as if he is the messiah. He is a substandard international player - playing not bad with a team who will probably be relegated from the premier league - and just so happens has a lion heart. He does not have anywhere near the ability of Damien Duff and Aiden mc Geady. Any challengers? Good to see Mc Geady play well at croker - He does not deserve the slating he gets from some quarters. He is our greatest talent and deserves respect and encouragement. After all he is only 22. Bring on Terry Venables and quick!!! Sack Delaney and Givens NOW

Billsthoughts

08/02/2008, 2:39 PM

Mageady gave two of the worst performances I have ever seen from an Irish player EVER in Slovakia and Czech Republic. Best player my hole.

paul_oshea

08/02/2008, 2:42 PM

mceddie is getting better though bill ( assuming he learns how and WHEN to pass ) and so is duff, hunt should shut-up, he should know how limited he is and it showed against the brazilians big-time, he is a good impact sub, thats all.

BigmanCas

08/02/2008, 3:12 PM

Since making his d�but, aged 18, McGeady has picked up the following awards:

December 2004 - SPL Player of the Month
Season 2004/05 - Celtic Young Player of the Year
November 2005 - SPL Young Player of the Month
Season 2005/06 - SPL Championship winner
Season 2005/06 - Celtic Young Player of the Year
August 2006 - SPL Young Player of the Month
September 2006 - SPL Young Player of the Month
October 2006 - Young Player of the Month
Season 2006/07 - Celtic Young Player of the Year
November 2007 - SPL Player of the MonthHe deals week in week out with naysayers and people who want to cut him down at every turn beacuse he is the best thing Scotland have produced in years / maybe ever and he has decided to play for his spiritual home. But then there are people like yourself Bill who make him maybe regret his decision. It is terrible that he is getting slack here as well as there. He has started how many competitive internationals - maybe 4? and you have written him off at 22 Bill. You know nothing and remind me of E Dunphy. He wasn't the worst in Bratislava - Stephan Ireland, Jonathan Douglas, Sheasy were worse. He was the easy sub. Granted poor in Prague - but look what happened his replacement.. Waken up Bill.

eirebhoy

08/02/2008, 3:12 PM

( assuming he learns how and WHEN to pass )
He has. I think a lot of Irish fans just have it in their heads that the opposite is the case. I mentioned how he waited for Kilbane to just about beat the offside trap before playing a ball over the top (which actually went out of play in the end). That shows some sort of intelligence and not the head down dumb player he's regarded by some. Many Irish fans spot any single negative from McGeady and assume (or try to tell their mate in the seat beside them) that it's typical McGeady. The difference in the people towards McGeady around me after that late pass to Duff was incredible. They critisise him for no end product yet the same thing can be said about every one of our players on Wednesday.

As McGeady said this week about his performances Czech and Slovakia, "I had a stinker".

Anyway, on Hunt.. I don't see him as anything more than an impact player. He has certainly not shown me any of the link up play that I know McGeady is capable of and that's crucial for me. I want our midfielders linking up and moving around the pitch at will.

Bondvillain

08/02/2008, 3:12 PM

I havent read the article, as there's no link to the attributed comments, but I will say that his performance notwithstanding, hunt's dedication & attitude cant be faulted.

A player narked that he isn't starting for Ireland makes a pleasant change from Us being narked cos players cant be arsed turning up anymore.

BigmanCas

08/02/2008, 3:17 PM

Well said Eirebhoy - by the way I am not a celtic fan - just in case people think its a reason for supporting the talent that is Aiden Mc Geady!!

eirebhoy

08/02/2008, 3:21 PM

It's also interesting to note that Dunphy made a point after the Celtic-Benfica game that he had been to harsh on McGeady. He then watched the Brazil game with a positive mindset with regards McGeady. He thought he was outstanding and showed intelligence. If you go looking for the negatives you'll find them with any player.

Dr. Ogba

08/02/2008, 3:23 PM

He has. I think a lot of Irish fans just have it in their heads that the opposite is the case. I mentioned how he waited for Kilbane to just about beat the offside trap before playing a ball over the top (which actually went out of play in the end). That shows some sort of intelligence and not the head down dumb player he's regarded by some. Many Irish fans spot any single negative from McGeady and assume (or try to tell their mate in the seat beside them) that it's typical McGeady. The difference in the people towards McGeady around me after that late pass to Duff was incredible. They critisise him for no end product yet the same thing can be said about every one of our players on Wednesday.

As McGeady said this week about his performances Czech and Slovakia, "I had a stinker".

Anyway, on Hunt.. I don't see him as anything more than an impact player. He has certainly not shown me any of the link up play that I know McGeady is capable of and that's crucial for me. I want our midfielders linking up and moving around the pitch at will.

totally agree EB, I could hear quite a few idiots in the crowd getting on McGeady's back on Wednesday even though he was head and shoulders above any other Irish player on the park that night. Its not his fault that when he beat his man with ease there was absolutely nobody around to pass to (and again this leads us to the oft-discussed centre midfielder issue)

bohsRap

08/02/2008, 3:26 PM

He deals week in week out with naysayers and people who want to cut him down at every turn beacuse he is the best thing Scotland have produced in years / maybe ever and he has decided to play for his spiritual home. But then there are people like yourself Bill who make him maybe regret his decision. It is terrible that he is getting slack here as well as there. He has started how many competitive internationals - maybe 4? and you have written him off at 22 Bill. You know nothing and remind me of E Dunphy. He wasn't the worst in Bratislava - Stephan Ireland, Jonathan Douglas, Sheasy were worse. He was the easy sub. Granted poor in Prague - but look what happened his replacement.. Waken up Bill.

I think he's a good player but saying he is our best player is laughable. If someone says he played bad, that doesn't mean they're writing him off!

I think Hunt should shut up aswell. Decent player and great to bring on, but I think McGeady is probably better.

drogfood

08/02/2008, 3:29 PM

BigmanCas

08/02/2008, 3:38 PM

bohsRap - there is no probably about it. He is POTENTIALLY our best player.

eirebhoy

08/02/2008, 3:42 PM

Duff has not had a decent game for anyone since Ranieri left Chelsea
Wrong and that's why I'm gonna start doing a motm vote after every Ireland game from now on. I was thinking of doing it after the Brazil game but considering it was McGeady's first really good performance for us I didn't want to be accused of bias. ;)

Billsthoughts

08/02/2008, 3:44 PM

Mageady has done nothing for Ireland and in the games he has been given his chance he has been poor. In prague he was atrociuos. And bigmancas I dont have anything against the lad. I love footballers that can play so I am naturally predisposed to him but using him as a stick to beat hunt with is ridiculous. Hunt has put in a few good performances for Ireland and well deserves to be in ahead of Mageady on merit.

jbyrne

08/02/2008, 3:44 PM

Duff has not had a decent game for anyone since Ranieri left Chelsea

duff was great for us in the two home march games in CP last year and we sorely missed him after when he got injured.

currently mcgeady reminds me of duffer in his early days and he will improve as duff did. the only thing he is lacking is the final ball and a couple of goals but that will come

Kingdom

08/02/2008, 3:45 PM

RTE showed snippets of an Interview with Hunt after the match and immediately I thought he was having a cut at Givens and Staunton with the reference to the player in form.

Thats the difference between this generation of player and the Charlton/McCarthy era. The current generation is talking the talk but not walking the walk.
I felt Hunt was poor when he came on, so his comments would have been best saved.
Dunne, another one not afraid to air his opinion too, I thought wasn't exactly fantastic, his distribution of the ball was dismal (he wasn't alone). I'd compare him to Carragher. A warrior but with room for much more.

JimmyP

08/02/2008, 3:53 PM

I know Hunt is very, eh, outspoken to say the least, but saying: ""I thought I might start with the way I'm playing at the moment,'' said Hunt. "I'm disappointed. Some of the excuses I was given were a bit iffy to be honest." is egotism of the highest order and suggests a disconnection with reality. You don't hear the likes of Michael Owen coming out with stuff like that.

Armando

08/02/2008, 3:53 PM

I notice all those awards are in scotland - no doubt he is wonderfull against Falkirk and Inverness CT but hang on (and i'm not knocking hime for the sake of it) but he hasnt done an awful lot for us.

Hunt on the other hand is a real fans favourite, he lifts the crowd which in turn responds by liftin the players around him. The opposition don't like him because he gets in among them and I'm not 100% on this but is he not top scorer for Reading this season, not bad from a winger and he should be in ahead of Duff anytime.

Duff has not had a decent game for anyone since Ranieri left Chelsea

No way

...It's amazing how people can make such broad sweeping statements that have no basis/truth whatsoever!
Duff is the key to Irish qualification for the next World Cup. Looking back on our last campaign he set up pretty much all our goals before getting injured and without him we crumbled.

eirebhoy

08/02/2008, 3:54 PM

Mageady has done nothing for Ireland and in the games he has been given his chance he has been poor.
If you think McGeady was poor on Wednesday then he might as well retire. He wasn't bad in Cardiff or Denmark either and kept things simple against Holland. His sub cameo against Cyprus was very good too which is really where Hunt has only impressed for us (didn't do much at all in America or vs Cyprus).

beautifulrock

08/02/2008, 4:06 PM

Hunt is a walking quote machine for journo's, I like his whole hearted effort but he would be better to learn silence is golden.

BigmanCas

08/02/2008, 4:08 PM

If you think McGeady was poor on Wednesday then he might as well retire. He wasn't bad in Cardiff or Denmark either and kept things simple against Holland. His sub cameo against Cyprus was very good too which is really where Hunt has only impressed for us (didn't do much at all in America or vs Cyprus).

I can't believe Roy Keane was going to pay �5 million for Hunt - Andy Reid for �4 million was much more sense and he is a ten times better player. Mc Geady will be a BIG transfer target next year. Massimo Donati believes that he WILL be a future European Footballer of the Year!! Watch this space. Hunt will not get better.

eirebhoy

08/02/2008, 4:09 PM

Donati was joking. If he ever reaches the heights Duff did it'll be phenomenal but I doubt it.

Billsthoughts

08/02/2008, 4:11 PM

We are talking competitive games were Hunt has had an impact and Mageady at best has not been as bad as he is usually. If you are going to comment at least be objective and dont deliberately ignore the numerous glaring shockers Mageady has on his Ireland CV. Your like a cheerleader when it comes to anything celtic related. Mageady is a talented player who has yet to do anything of note for Ireland. the fact that Hunt doesnt have half his talent but makes twice his contribution says it all. Mageady is in a comfort zone at club level.

eirebhoy

08/02/2008, 4:14 PM

If you are going to comment at least be objective and dont deliberately ignore the numerous glaring shockers Mageady has on his Ireland CV.
I was replying to:
"in the games he has been given his chance he has been poor."

If you said "in most of the games..." I wouldn't have replied because I'd agree.