Our up and coming players this season

[bwagner]

Hi people looking at the man utd v celtic game last night what do we have to look forward to this year................Mc Shane and Gibson both played

[Stuttgart88]

I can't see either of those two making any impact for United this season. Would like to see both get a loan move, maybe to a decent Championship team.

Of our other up-and-coming players, of which there are simply far too many to list exhaustively, hopefully some will make big progress. In the Premiership I'd like to see Ireland continue to impress & Flood make more of an impact. I'd like to see Andy Reid re-establish himself.

There are at least half-a-dozen Championship clubs I'll be keeping a close eye on this year for various reasons. There's plenty of young Irish interest. Several made breakthroughs last year that they've got to build upon, others have taken a step backwards which they've got to put right and for others it's a first chance to really impress.


Off the top of my head here's who I'd like to see do best:

Build upon last years promise:
Garvan
Supple
McCarthy
McShane if he can get a loan move
McCann
Jay Tabb


Re-establish momentum:

Elliott
Stephen Kelly
Lee
Whelan
Colin Healy
Yeates
Michael Reddy (far too good for Div 2)

First proper chance to impress:
Daryl Murphy
Painter
Alex Bruce
Kevin Thornton

It's not really stretching the imagination to think that a few of the above could have something to offer our senior squad before too long.

[tetsujin1979]

Would like to see both get a loan move, maybe to a decent Championship team.
Gibson is off on loan to Royal Antwerp, the United feeder club in belgium. It's hard to call how that will affect his chances of getting into the senior setup, O'Shea was there for a season, and still didn't get a call up until after his first full season with United. Although Staunton, Dunne, Breen, Cunningham and O'Brien were more established as first choice central defenders at that point



Yeates
Just signed a contract extension, and heading out on another season long loan. I'd have preferred him to stay at Spurs and fight for his spot, he's 21 now. At the same age, Duff and Keane were well established first team players.


Kevin Thornton
Playing regularly in Coventry's preseason. As is Michael Doyle in central midfield.

[bwagner]

Adam rooney looks good to at stoke.
Does anyone know if O'hara at spurs is opting for us?

he played for spurs the other day

[Dr. Ogba]

Maybe clutching at straws here but McPhail to reestablish himself this season? Could be exactly the kind of player we need in the centre if he starts to perform consistently at championship level...

[tetsujin1979]

Just add in that Leon Best is in the Southampton squad to take on Cheltenham tonight, Dexter Blackstock (his main rival for up and coming striker) is linked with a transfer, so he may come good for the Saints this season after an injury curtailed his progress last season.

[youngirish]

No one mentioned Joey O'Brien probably the most impressive of our young players last season IMO. Hopefully this season he can get a run out in his preferred position central midfield with Bolton having released Nakata, Fadiga and Okocha who were all competition for that position (also the increasing age of Speed should provide him with more opportunities in CM this season).

I also reckon this could be a big season for Shane Long, Andrew Keogh at S****horpe and Kevin Foley at Luton who all looked excellent last season.

[Stuttgart88]

True.

I think the last two mentioned will continue to impress. It'll be interesting to see if Long can make an impact.

What a boost it'd be if O'Brien could get a starting CM slot at Bolton and do well. I think he faded towards the end of last season at full back but I don't have too many doubts that he'll do OK for himself.

I'm am worried about players like Andy Reid and Andy O'Brien who don't have any club momentum. Daily Mail today says Birmingham will bid £1.5m for Andy O'Brien.

[drinkfeckarse]

Maybe clutching at straws here but McPhail to reestablish himself this season?

Yes you are, he's old news and is not going to make it now. Maybe if he was a 2 or 3 years younger...

[Dr. Ogba]

Yes you are, he's old news and is not going to make it now. Maybe if he was a 2 or 3 years younger...

eh......the guy is only 26 years old and in his prime....a consistent season with an upper tier championship team will throw him right back in the reckoning....I think its a bit easy to write him off like that, just look at guys like Graham Kavanagh, Mark Kinsella and Matt Holland - All late developers and all have played their parts for us over the years

[drinkfeckarse]

They are nothing like him, they have played at a consistent level over the years. McPhail has been on a downward spiral since the 2 decent games he had for Leeds.

[Dr. Ogba]

They are nothing like him, they have played at a consistent level over the years. McPhail has been on a downward spiral since the 2 decent games he had for Leeds.

Call me crazy but moving up a division from the previous year is not what I'd call a downward spiral!

I don't really want to drag this on and I'm definitely not saying that McPhail should be called up for the next squad or anything but I'm simply making the point that if McPhail performs consistently for Cardiff this season I think he could be well worth giving another chance...lets face it, we're not exactly overburdened with central midfielders at the moment are we?

[Paddy Garcia]

Does anyone know if O'hara at spurs is opting for us?

he played for spurs the other day

England U 18 international.

[joema]

I think we should be looking at Andy Reid for a CM role - great creativity and way more ability than McPhail - also he was class there on his debut - even if it was v Canada

[Paddy Garcia]

They are nothing like him, they have played at a consistent level over the years. McPhail has been on a downward spiral since the 2 decent games he had for Leeds.

It's a bit different cos he did not drop a few divisions before playing at the top level. Nonetheless Kinsella spent almost 10 years at Colchester before a move to Charlton. So, could not be described at playing at a consistent level (unless you count 9 years in Div 3).

Also in fairness Kavanagh has had a stereotypical journeyman history before his indian summer at Wigan. No better than McPhail at his age.

That's not to say McPhail will make it.

[Paddy Garcia]

Just add in that Leon Best is in the Southampton squad to take on Cheltenham tonight, Dexter Blackstock (his main rival for up and coming striker) is linked with a transfer, so he may come good for the Saints this season after an injury curtailed his progress last season.

I remember some debate last year about his nationalty. Has he made his mind up yet, or was it just conjucture?

[tetsujin1979]

I remember some debate last year about his nationalty. Has he made his mind up yet, or was it just conjucture?
He was called into one of the England underage squads, but AFAIK never played. He didn't play last night for Saints either, but David McGoldrick was up front and JJ Melligan scored the Cheltenham goal in a 3-1 win for the south coast team
Saints review: http://www.saintsfc.co.uk/articles/article.php?page_id=7230
Cheltenham review: http://www.cheltenhamtownfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/NewsDetail/0,,10434~873483,00.html?ptvParm=

[drinkfeckarse]

It's a bit different cos he did not drop a few divisions before playing at the top level. Nonetheless Kinsella spent almost 10 years at Colchester before a move to Charlton. So, could not be described at playing at a consistent level (unless you count 9 years in Div 3).

Also in fairness Kavanagh has had a stereotypical journeyman history before his indian summer at Wigan. No better than McPhail at his age.

That's not to say McPhail will make it.

Kinsella only really came to prominence at Charlton and was on of their most consistent players for 4 years. Kavanagh a journeyman??? He's had 4 clubs where he has been probably the best player at Stoke and Cardiff and has done well at Wigan too. By consistent I mean level of performance and personally McPhail doeasn't fit that bill for me and a lot of others I suspect.

Dr Ogba, in recent years he has went from the Premier League to League One to League Two. Would you consider that to be anything but a downward spiral? Yes he's come back up a division but lets see if he excels....somehow I doubt it.

[elroy]

Dare I say it but what about Liam Miller, anyone fancy his chances of returning to anything like the CL form he showed at Celtic?

Also Douglas is another I dont think was mentioned.

[Closed Account 2]

McShane looked good, but I agree now he needs regular football. A loan move to a top Championship (eg Palace / Leeds / Preston) or lower Premiership club (eg Fulham / Charlton / Watford) would be a good move for him now.

McGeady looked q.good, he seemed to have improved his choice of passing (I remember seeing him last season and thinking good player but passes the ball too late).

Hopefully he'll have a strong season now, start more often at Celtic and do well for us - I certainly think he should get in all the squads.

Miller had a bit of an indifferent game, looked good in terms of workrate, but didnt really force the issue in terms of chances.

I hear he'll be allowed to leave Man Utd if they get an appropriate offer for him. I hope he does go, because while at Leeds last season he finally looked like a decent player and did well for us against the Swedes.

Hopefully the lad at Spurs (Dickson) will start to come into the fray for them, he's supposed to be a special player and it would be good to see him break through now.

Hope Harte has a good season now Levante are back in the Primera Liga, they've signed some good players too Laurent Robert, Frederic Dehu, the Cameroon striker Meyong, and ex Roma player Tommasi. I think he can still offer us something.

[Reality Bites]

Seems strange that Stephen Ireland didn't get a mention... he showed outstanding promise mid-season last year, but seemed to fade away towards the end of the season, his slight physical built may be a problem for the midfield role he is required to play.. He came on as a sub in a recent pre-season friendly, I think by the end of this season we should know if he is the real deal or just another in the long line of pretenders - i.e Miller, Healy, McPhail etc..

[tetsujin1979]

He was injured for the last 6 weeks or so of the season, and only played one half of a reserve game. He's looked good in preseason, laying on the passes for a few goals. I still don't see him starting in central midfield for City, it'll probably be Barton and Hamann, but I do see him coming on as a sub

[youngirish]

I'm am worried about players like Andy Reid and Andy O'Brien who don't have any club momentum. Daily Mail today says Birmingham will bid £1.5m for Andy O'Brien.

I've always thought Andy O'Brien to be a bit of a weaklink in the Ireland team (though in fairness he's never done anything terribly wrong to my recollection). We definitely need McShane or McCarthy to do well this season to provide us with decent alternatives in what I see as our weakest position. Mc Shane looks like he could be good for a few goals from that position if he can improve defensively.

It's a shame about Reid at Spurs. He has talent but hasn't yet to show it to any great degree in the Premiership and in fairness he's had numerous opportunities (particularly the season before last).

There's also a kid at Norwich who started to break into the team towards the end of last season called Michael Spillane. He's only 17 but he might get a few games again this year.

[Stuttgart88]

Seems strange that Stephen Ireland didn't get a mention... Oh yes he did :)

On McPhail, I agree that if (and it's a big if) he performs consistently well at Cardiff then he could be back in the reckoning, but most likely only for a squad place. For example, there's no way Miller can justify being an ever-present if he's not playing but McPhail is playing well.

I have grave doubts about McPhail though. He has all the talent in the world although he is very one-footed. But he totally lacks any physical presence. He gets brushed off the ball so easily at times it's embarassing. I saw him in the play-off final on TV though & he looks stronger and bigger. Maybe Cardiff will toughen him up. As far as I can see Cardiff is definitely a good move for him. They had a very good second half to last season & if they continue that form they'd be one of the better teams in that division.

McPhail, Miller & Stephen Ireland all have a lot of talent but do they have the physical attributes to compete at international level? One of the notable features of the World Cup was that no longer is soccer a game for lightweight short arses. Croatia, Australia, Italy, Germany and others had almost full teams of second row forwards. Maybe Steven Reid's athleticism as a midfield partner is the key to unlocking the skills of this type of player. In reality though, I'd expect the emergence of Joey O'Brien & Owen Garvan to push McPhail further down the order before too long.

Andy Reid as a central midfielder? Definitely, in theory. More likely than any of the above (except Ireland) to be a success here. A fully match fit Andy & Steven Reid on paper could be great. But I just worry about Andy Reid's chances of playing week-in, week-out. In fact, if he doesn't get himself sorted out I even think Mark Kennedy has a chance of playing himself back into squad contention as back-up to Duff, especially if Kilbane (who's having a good pre-season I hear) plays at left-back under Staunton.

eleven-a-side.com says Ipswich want McShane on loan this season.

[Stuttgart88]

On Andy O'Brien: I cringe when I watch him play for his club. When I watch him for Ireland I see a confident, composed, almost continental style centre-back. Without an immense performance from O'Brien in Basle we'd have lost. Only Given performed better than O'Brien for us that night. I think it doesn't help that both Portsmouth & Newcastle were in chaos for much of the last 2-3 seasons, but O'Brien has to be accountable to some degree I suppose. You can't blame everything on Titus Bramble!

But yes, you're right, seeing McCarthy or McShane emerge and soon is very important for us. It's really encouraging that McCarthy is a club captain at 23. Maybe also Painter & Bruce. AFAIK, despite playing for Birmingham & Ireland U21s at left-back, Painter's preferred position is centre-back. When Reading played Birmingham in the FA Cup on TV last season he played CB and earned MOTM for his performance.

I think there's a lot to be positive about but I'd love to be able to defer the start of Euro 2008 qualifying by one year!

[Dr. Ogba]

Oh yes he did :)

On McPhail, I agree that if (and it's a big if) he performs consistently well at Cardiff then he could be back in the reckoning., most likely only for a squad place. For example, there's no way Miller can justify being an ever-present if he's not playing but McPhail is playing well.

I have grave doubts about McPhail though. He has all the talent in the world although he is very one-footed. But he totally lacks any physical presence. He gets brushed off the ball so easily at times it's embarassing. I saw him in the play-off final on TV though & he looks stronger and bigger. Maybe Cardiff will toughen him up. As far as I can see Cardiff is definitely a good move for him. They had a very good second half to last season & if they continue that form they'd be one of the better teams in that division.

McPhail, Miller & Stephen Ireland all havea lot of talent but do they have the physical attributes to compete at international level? One of the notable features of the World Cup was that no longer is soccer a game for lightweight short arses. Croatia, Australia, Italy, Germany and others had almost full teams of second row forwards. Maybe Steven Reid's athleticism as a midfielde partner is the key to unlocking the skills of this type of player. In reality though, I'd expect the emergence of Joey O'Brien & Owen Garvan to push McPhail further down the order.

Andy Reid as a central midfielder? Definitely, in theory. More likely than any of the above (except Ireland) to be asuccess here. A fully match fit Andy & Steven Reid on paper could be great. But I just worry about Andy Reid's chances of playing week-in, week-out. In fact, if he doesn't get himself sorted out I even think Mark Kennedy has a chance of playing himself back into squad contention as back-up to Duff, especially if Kilbane (who's having a good pre-season I hear) plays at left-back under Staunton.

eleven-a-side.com says Ipswich want McShane on loan this season.

Agreed on most of this (except the Kennedy point :eek: ) We don't know how this season will go for the younger players previously mentioned (Garvan, J. O'Brien, Ireland etc...), will they build on their promise from the previous season or will they suffer from the "difficult second season" syndrome? This is why I think McPhail could have a shot as he is playing with (in my opinion) a decent Championship team with a chance of a playoff spot...Why discount the lad?

Teams to keep an eye on in the Championship: Ipswich, Coventry, Cardiff - All with a decent Irish contingent and all in with a shot of a playoff spot (or better)

[Stuttgart88]

Agreed on most of this (except the Kennedy point :eek: ) janey mac, from the guy who thinks McPhail is worth a look :) :)

Seriously, take the following scenario:

Andy Reid stays at Spurs and rarely plays, or gets injured.
Kilbane makes the left-back position his own
Kennedy, under Peter Taylor, plays well regularly and Palace do well in the Championship.

OK, so maybe Lawrence will force his way into the team at RHM, meaning McGeady could cover both wings as back-up, or McGeady makes RHM his own with Lawrence his back-up, McGeady backing up Duff if Duff got injured. Kilbane could also play LHM if Duff is injured and Harte LB I suppose.
In this case there'd be no need for Kennedy in the squad.

I just don't think Kennedy should be totally discounted as a squad player if he plays well at Palace. Maybe an U21 like O'Donovan would be a better long-term option though so I accept Kennedy featuring again isn't likely.

[youngirish]

Michael Timlin has played in all of Fulham's pre-season games so far and apparently has been quite impressive. Considering the Fulham team's in these friendlies was basically their first team players from last year maybe this is the season he finally breaks through. Hre's what the Fulham coach Ray Lewington said about him:

Lew's View

Tue 25th Jul 2006

Ray Lewington looks back on the win over Luton

When you turn to the man next to you it is always interesting to know their opinion of the team's performance and what better face in the crowd to ask than Ray Lewington, who took up a watching brief as Chris Coleman and the boys got stuck into their second pre-season friendly of the season against Luton Town last Friday.

Having beaten the Championship side 2-1, Whites' Reserve Team Manager Ray Lewington was left suitably impressed by the display of the senior side. "It was a very good performance" said Lewington. "We passed the ball well for 60 minutes. Considering where the lads are in their pre-season preparations I thought their fitness levels looked good.

"Obviously the substitutions disrupted the game and it all slowed down after that but the pace of the game was terrific for an hour."

Pre-season is a difficult time, as the main priority in any Manager's mind is to get the players to a level of peak physical fitness before the new season starts. But many fans would like to get a confidence boost from victories going into the new campaign, a scenario that Ray can empathise with.

"Although it is always nice to win, at the end of the day these pre-season friendlies are used more as a fitness exercise and to put things you've done on the training ground into practice.

"The most important thing is to come out with no injuries. It is also a good way to judge where you are in terms of fitness. I think Chris would be very pleased with what he saw."

The 2006/07 season has seen the inclusion of Strength and Conditioning Coach, Steve Nance, on a full time basis within the Club. Ray Lewington fully appreciates the importance of mixing up the training conditions and thinks that this, ultimately, can only benefit the lads throughout the season.

"They've trained really hard, probably in shorter spurts" Ray revealed. "You always try to do different things and the Management are very conscious of the number of injuries that were picked up last year. Overall pre-season has gone very well so far, the lads are looking fit and there's still plenty of time left to improve."

And it was one of Ray's charges from last season who caught the eye during this fixture; Republic of Ireland Under 21 captain Michael Timlin. It came as no surprise to Lewington either, as he is only too aware of what Timlin is capable of.

"He's a naturally gifted boy" said Ray, "He's very good on the ball, but he knows that there are areas he needs to improve on, for example his positional sense, but he is a hard working lad and only too happy to learn."

It was Timlin's passing game that served him so well, linking up with his team mates as he cut in from the left.

"He found little pockets of space very well, and in that first half he was one of our players that stood out for me; he played very well."

[youngirish]

Found this about Michael Spillane. From the looks of it he should get a chance to impress in the Norwich first team this season.

Worthington makes five pro
By Phil Jackson - Created on 30 Jun 2006

Norwich City have handed professional contracts to five of their academy youngsters, for the coming season.

Republic of Ireland Under-19 captain Michael Spillane has committed to a three-year deal at Carrow Road after impressing as a makeshift right back at the tail end of last season.

He made his senior debut as a substitute in the FA Cup third round against West Ham United and featured against Sheffield Wednesday and Queens Park Rangers in the league.

Boss Nigel Worthington has high hopes that the 17-year-old midfielder will force his way into contention for the first team and was anxious to give him a senior contract, even at such a tender age.

"Michael is still young but we don't want to hold any of our Academy players back and Nigel was very keen that Michael should move across to the first team in time for pre-season," academy manager Ricky Martin told the club's official website.

Scottish Under-18 midfielder Andrew Cave-Brown, Matthew Halliday and Andrew Fisk have all signed one-year deals and joined him in the senior squad.

[Irish_Praha]

Found this about Michael Spillane. From the looks of it he should get a chance to impress in the Norwich first team this season.

Worthington makes five pro
By Phil Jackson - Created on 30 Jun 2006

Norwich City have handed professional contracts to five of their academy youngsters, for the coming season.

Republic of Ireland Under-19 captain Michael Spillane has committed to a three-year deal at Carrow Road after impressing as a makeshift right back at the tail end of last season.

He made his senior debut as a substitute in the FA Cup third round against West Ham United and featured against Sheffield Wednesday and Queens Park Rangers in the league.

Boss Nigel Worthington has high hopes that the 17-year-old midfielder will force his way into contention for the first team and was anxious to give him a senior contract, even at such a tender age.

"Michael is still young but we don't want to hold any of our Academy players back and Nigel was very keen that Michael should move across to the first team in time for pre-season," academy manager Ricky Martin told the club's official website.

Scottish Under-18 midfielder Andrew Cave-Brown, Matthew Halliday and Andrew Fisk have all signed one-year deals and joined him in the senior squad.


I thought he was a defender?

[Stuttgart88]

I think he's primarily a central defender but can also play midfield.

[Dr. Ogba]

janey mac, from the guy who thinks McPhail is worth a look :) :)

Seriously, take the following scenario:

Andy Reid stays at Spurs and rarely plays, or gets injured.
Kilbane makes the left-back position his own
Kennedy, under Peter Taylor, plays well regularly and Palace do well in the Championship.

OK, so maybe Lawrence will force his way into the team at RHM, meaning McGeady could cover both wings as back-up, or McGeady makes RHM his own with Lawrence his back-up, McGeady backing up Duff if Duff got injured. Kilbane could also play LHM if Duff is injured and Harte LB I suppose.
In this case there'd be no need for Kennedy in the squad.

I just don't think Kennedy should be totally discounted as a squad player if he plays well at Palace. Maybe an U21 like O'Donovan would be a better long-term option though so I accept Kennedy featuring again isn't likely.

Bloody hell thats a lot of ifs and buts!!!

Take your point though, but sometimes I think you may have a bit too much free time on your hands to come up with these things!!:D

[wws]

I think UEFA football (minimum) should be the bar for people to make a jump into the squad, with drogs/derry and cork now proven at a higher level than most of the non prem irish abroad they have to be seriously looked at by stan if hes doin his job right


also forgotten man Dom Foley scored in the toto this year v Grasshoppers for Gent - quite frankly hes getting goals and its ludicrous to ignore his claims in favour of what are mainly poor players in the uk

[drinkfeckarse]

You can still be a poor player in Belgium as well as the UK. He's not good enough.

[wws]

he's scoring goals

I think he's earned a call up tbh

and its an area we arent great in

[geysir]

How does Foley compare to Jason Byrne?

[drinkfeckarse]

Byrne should be in ahead of him IMO. Foley was no great shakes at Bohs while Byrne was still doing the business.

[wws]

How does Foley compare to Jason Byrne?

very favourably

they are two completely different players
the service Byrne got at Shels was a lot different to what Foley
was getting at Bohs

Foley is built different and offers better presence than byrne....or the likes of Doyle, morrison et al

[geysir]

I thought Byrne did well in his first real run out for Ireland.

If you were looking for a player who could replace the Docherty option, come on with 20 minutes to go to support the front 2, aerial strength, bring the ball down to feet, hold off and pass the ball. (not that the Doc managed this) which one of Byrne or Foley would be more suitable?

[joema]

So you're saying Robbie Keane shouldn't be in the squad?

Robbie Keane plays for Spurs, Spurs will be in the UEFA Cup next year.

I thought Byrne did really well against Chilie - what more could he do? - surely he deserves a place in the Holland squad

Also I think Garvan of Ipswich could do really well again this season

[Stuttgart88]

Neither Byrne nor Foley could be described as up & coming.

I reckon Byrne should keep his place as he offers something different to the other 4 (Robbie, Doyle, Morrisson & Elliott) whereas Foley is more like what we have already but not as good. I expect a fully fit Alan Lee or Daryl Murphy, if he can establish himself under Quinn (no better man to learn from), to put pressure on Byrne's spot. But I think Byrne has the spot for now until another player makes a compelling case to be in ahead of him.

In fairness to Foley, he actually did very well in his Irish outings but we're going back over 5 yrs now I think. Estonia at home was the last one I remember anyway.

[Stuttgart88]

Today's Sunday Telegraph has a section on 6 teenagers likely to make an impact on this year's Championship.

The list includes both Garvan & Rooney, describing Garvan as technically very gifted and a highlighting Rooney's ''strong right footed finish, like his namesake Wayne''.

[jjppc]

Any news on James Simmonds of Chelsea, unlike Van ( your definitely not the man) Nolan he declared for us after being courted by England. He will never break into the Chelsea team as he didn't cost over 20 million, so I guess a loan deal would be the best bet to see how he shapes up. Not forgetting Martin "lucky" Rowlands at QPR( not really up and coming more like is he still around).

[joema]

Any news on James Simmonds of Chelsea, unlike Van ( your definitely not the man) Nolan he declared for us after being courted by England. He will never break into the Chelsea team as he didn't cost over 20 million, so I guess a loan deal would be the best bet to see how he shapes up. Not forgetting Martin "lucky" Rowlands at QPR( not really up and coming more like is he still around).

I dont think its as simple as Simmonds picking us ahead of the English - he has actually played for England a couple already. But he has now changed his mind and declared for us

[jjppc]

I didn't know that. Can he change his mind again ? or is that it.

[tetsujin1979]

You can change allegiance up until U-21 level, whether that means you can play for multiple countries, I don't know. I'm not aware of any players who have done that, anyone else know of someone?

[Reality Bites]

Young McShane and Gibson seem to be grabbing the pre-season friendlies by the scruff of the neck at Man U, with both coming close to scoring, McShane seems to be a strong header of the ball, likewise across the city Ireland seems to creating things and going close himself..

[Paddy Garcia]

Young McShane and Gibson seem to be grabbing the pre-season friendlies by the scruff of the neck at Man U, with both coming close to scoring, McShane seems to be a strong header of the ball, likewise across the city Ireland seems to creating things and going close himself..

Apparently McShane was run ragged & had a nightmare against Preston.

[tetsujin1979]

McShane was linked with a 250,000 move to Ipswich in today's Herald. That would be criminal in my opinion, from what I've seen of him, he's a fantastic talent.

[Irish_Praha]

What's the story with Clive Clarke at West Ham? I know at 26 he's not really up and coming but he plays in a position where we desperately need some talent to be uncovered. I was disappointed that he didnt get a chance at West Ham last season but the team did so well they didnt really need to try him out. Is he still there or has he moved on or has there been talk of someone being interested in him? In fairness his competition for LB is Kilbane, O'Shea (who are not left backs) and Harte. So if he sorted out a move to a decent club (even in the championship) and got a regular games he could be an option. I think Wolves would be a good move for him as Kennedy is gone and Mick would know about him. Some (crazy) people might argue why play a Championship player at LB when we have O'Shea that plays for ManU. However, O'Shea is not a natural LB (He's just naturally sh!te :D)