Aiden McGeady

[Olé Olé]

6 points outside the play-offs. It would be delightful, from an Irish perspective, if Preston went up. In particular, it would mean that McGeady could extend his stay there because I would doubt without promotion that they would have the finances to make it permanent in the summer, especially when they are likely to face competition for his signature from anyone with money in the Championship and maybe even some PL sides.

Actually, from that point of view, it's imperative for McGeady himself to play well for Ireland for the next few matches before the summer transfer window shuts. Not many better ways to put yourself in the shop window than by carrying his club form into the Wales match.

[OwlsFan]

6 points outside the play-offs. It would be delightful, from an Irish perspective, if Preston went up. In particular, it would mean that McGeady could extend his stay there because I would doubt without promotion that they would have the finances to make it permanent in the summer, especially when they are likely to face competition for his signature from anyone with money in the Championship and maybe even some PL sides.

Actually, from that point of view, it's imperative for McGeady himself to play well for Ireland for the next few matches before the summer transfer window shuts. Not many better ways to put yourself in the shop window than by carrying his club form into the Wales match.

66/1 against Preston winning the play offs at the moment.

[geysir]

Winning the championship play-off is a lottery (http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/22437083)

Preston 16/1 to make the play-offs and from there they have a fighting chance

[DeLorean]

This is their run in...

Blackburn (a)
Nottm Forest (h)
Bristol City (h)
-------------------
Leeds (a)
Huddersfield (a)
Norwich (h)
Newcastle (a)
-------------------
Rotherham (h)
Wolves (a)


I can see why they're 16/1 alright. The next three look very winnable even if all three are fighting for their lives. That's a nasty four game stretch then before wrapping it up with two nice fixtures.

[OwlsFan]

Nasty is putting it mildly. So even if they get 9 from the top 3 fixtures and Owls get 0 from their next 3 (which means Reading beat them this Friday), they are still probably not in the play off positions as they will be behind Reading, Fulham, Huddersfield and Leeds facing in to those 4 games. 16/1 to make the play offs is not generous.

[DannyInvincible]

Martin O'Neill speaks at considerable length about McGeady, his improved confidence/fitness of late and where he presently stands as a player: http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/international/martin-o-neill-lays-down-line-for-aiden-mcgeady-1.3008884


Aiden McGeady has already done enough this season to play his way back into contention for a place in Martin O’Neill’s starting line-up.

However as the Republic of Ireland manager named a 39-strong preliminary squad for the games against Wales and Iceland, he suggested the 30-year-old’s performances between now and the summer for club and country may define what remains of his playing career.

McGeady, who is on loan at Championship side Preston North End, has a year left on his contract at Everton. But, having failed to nail a place down under the manager who signed him, he has fallen completely out of favour under Ronald Koeman with the midfielder acknowledging recently that he may well leave in the summer.

That, O’Neill suggests, might be his last chance to make a real impact at the top level in England.

“I think Aiden has had a look at himself and realised: ‘I’ve really got to do something . . . I’m not getting any younger,’” says the Ireland manager. “This is not embryonic talent anymore. You have to fulfil it.

“He has got what I would call Premier League feet – there is no doubt at all about that. He twists and turns and can go past players and there are not that many people in the game who can do those things.

‘Fantastic footwork’

“But he can frustrate himself because he knows – he is a bright lad – that he cannot help himself. Seriously, he cannot help himself. He just feels ‘I can do this’ and what will happen is that he will have lost the ball, the other team will have attacked from that mistake and it might have caused a few problems. Then, suddenly, when you lose the ball two or three times as a dribbler you lose a bit of confidence.

“My advice to him has been to play his football in the right areas. I think that has been a problem for him. Do all that fantastic footwork where it really matters. And I think that if he did that then he would be playing in the big league.

“I would seriously doubt [he has a future at Everton]. I think between now and the end of the season will probably define where he’s going to go and how he’s going to approach it.

“What I feel now is that in the Premier League I don’t think you can afford, at the very, very top level, to carry players unless they are producing one in every three moves or something like this.

“As you know, I’ve always had great faith in his ability and evidently now [Preston manager] Simon Grayson has given him this freedom to go and express himself and I think he’s really enjoying it.

“I saw him a couple of weeks ago and he’s looking fitter and more athletic again and that comes from playing a lot of games. His confidence is definitely up and you know he is a confidence player anyway. The manager believes in him which is good news.

‘Top teams’

“But those are the type of things, if anyone was sending scouts to Preston’s matches or even our games if Aiden gets on the field, those are the type of things that Premier League people would be looking at. And when I mention the top teams, it might even actually apply to the sides who struggle in the Premier League. Can they afford that?

“You have to weigh one thing up against the other. The ability to beat players and create – how often do you do that? Can you take that chance against somebody who will be more workmanlike.”

[DannyInvincible]

Preston North End reporter Dave Seddon (https://twitter.com/Sedds_lep) (of the Lancashire Evening Post) speaks to Balls.ie about McGeady's good form of late: https://www.balls.ie/football/greg-cunningham-361132


One of the few Preston players to impress during a 3-1 defeat that O'Neill described as "wretched" was Aiden McGeady; an impression consistent with his last few months at Deepdale. McGeady has been the league's outstanding player of late, and won the Championship Player of the Month for February following a run of three goals and seven assists in the space of the year's shortest month.

Seddon gives an insight into McGeady's upturn in form:


"He's showing that form he showed at Celtic. He's loving his football. Simon Grayson has a track record of getting players for whom it hasn't worked out elsewhere, putting his arm around them and saying 'we know you're still decent, so go out there and show us what you can do'. He has given him the reign to go and be a box of tricks up front, telling him to 'do a stepover, show us what you can do'. Since the end of December he has overcome a couple of injuries and he has really kicked on, and these last three months he has been mesmerizing. Premier League quality in the Championship."

Key to the McGeady Renaissance is the freedom afforded to him by Simon Grayson, pragmatism rewarding both player and manager:


"Simon Grayson, the way he plays, his back four are very disciplined, as are the midfield two. But anyone up front or playing the wings are let off the cuff.

They'll swap wings, and there have been times during games that, if, McGeady is playing on the wing, and if the opposition full-backs are pushing on and need to be tracked, he will move McGeady infield to a number 10 position and move Callum Robinson to the left. That relieves McGeady of his defensive duties, and Preton have had quite a lot of joy doing it.

He's almost given McGeady a blank canvas."

[OwlsFan]

Can't see the cautious O'Neill giving McGeady a "blank canvas".

[Charlie Darwin]

Why not? He did at Celtic.

[Fixer82]

I wonder would O'Neill start McGeady in a no.10 role to be replaced by Wes on the hour mark.

[DannyInvincible]

Another goal for McGeady today. It was a last-minute equaliser to win Preston a point away to Blackburn. Game ended 2-2.

[DannyInvincible]

Video of McGeady's goal against Blackburn:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UiT5nCyGO0#t=3m03s

[Stuttgart88]

Very composed. MON needs to wrap him on cotton wool this week.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Walters will play.

So it will be interesting to see who misses out between McGeady, McClean, Long and Murphy.

I reckon Long could get the wooden spoon.

[DeLorean]

Grayson hoping McGeady stays at Deepdale.


On a night where several players stood out it was McGeady who took man of the match honours on his 31st birthday.

“He’s enjoying what he’s doing and some of the movement of his feet is frightening at times,” said Grayson. “He can be unplayable and I do feel sorry for Championship defenders. “He should be playing in the Premier League but let’s hope he’s with us next year doing his stuff.”

http://www.lep.co.uk/sport/football/five-star-show-can-give-pne-perfect-platform-for-play-off-push-1-8476008

[OwlsFan]

Another great win for Preston last night and another goal for McGeady. Both Boyle and Horgan on the bench, the latter coming on for McGeady after 71 minutes. 6 games left. 5 points adrift of Wednesday whose next game is at home to Newcastle but Preston's next 4 games are Leeds (a), Hudderfield (a), Norwich (h) and Newcastle (a) and if they're still in contention after those, good luck to them.

[DeLorean]

Derby having a bit of a honeymoon period under Rowett as well. Not a bad run-in either but they could do anything really.

[OwlsFan]

Derby having a bit of a honeymoon period under Rowett as well.

"Honeymoon period" is an interesting phrase and says a lot about the general perception of marriage. It's all great in the beginning but give it time :) :)

[Closed Account]

4 - Preston's Aiden McGeady has now scored 4 goals in his last 5 league games, as many as he had in 31 appearances beforehand. Momentum.
https://streamable.com/zs644
https://streamable.com/wvd4t (https://streamable.com/zs644)

[DeLorean]

McGeady was the Preston captain for the day. Grayson said in an interview after the game that McGeady had mentioned in a joking manner that he'd never been captain at any level of football before. They decided to give it to him because he deserved it for his contribution this season but stressed that it wasn't a send-off, that they're making huge efforts to try to keep him at the football club. I saw the video on the PNE Facebook page, not sure if you need an account to see it or not.

McGeady seemed to get the Preston motm award also as you'll see in another post.

https://www.facebook.com/OfficialPNEFC/?hc_ref=SEARCH&fref=nf

[geysir]

McGeady seemed to get the Preston motm award also as you'll see in another post.

https://www.facebook.com/OfficialPNEFC/?hc_ref=SEARCH&fref=nf

https://external-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/safe_image.php?d=AQCSQgxVQCGvl3Yi&w=293&h=165&url=https%3A%2F%2Fscontent-lhr3-1.xx.fbcdn.net%2Fv%2Ft1.0-0%2Fp235x165%2F18199411_717748345074159_1624619340 597276243_n.jpg%3Foh%3D4e8a4a84dee5264107c835200ad af4a6%26oe%3D599013D9&cfs=1&upscale=1&_nc_hash=AQBowVMBwauH59fp

On the face of it, "104,476 people like this" does appear bizarre.

[tetsujin1979]

Player of the Season at Preston: https://twitter.com/pnefc/status/858683696538415104

The winner of the 2017 player of the year award is... Aiden McGeady! #OhAidenMcGeady (https://twitter.com/hashtag/OhAidenMcGeady?src=hash)

[Diggs246]

That's two in a row for irish players (Cunningham last season)

[DannyInvincible]

According to the Liverpool Echo, Everton will allow McGeady to join Preston on a permanent basis for £2 million: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/everton-set-asking-price-winger-13031354


Everton are looking to strike a £2m deal with Preston North End for Aiden McGeady. The Republic of Ireland winger is out of favour at Goodison and will be allowed to leave this summer. McGeady has another 12 months remaining on the contract he signed when he joined Everton in January 2014 but he does not feature in Ronald Koeman’s plans.

[DannyInvincible]

Middlesbrough now keen on McGeady, according to Dan McDonnell: http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/transfer-window/boro-poised-to-make-a-move-for-mcgeady-35819627.html


Middlesbrough are understood to have earmarked McGeady as a player that would help them in their mission to get back to the Premier League at the first attempt.

Their interest predates the appointment of Garry Monk as their manager and the next move will depend on his intentions.

[Kingdom]

Middlesbrough now keen on McGeady, according to Dan McDonnell: http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/transfer-window/boro-poised-to-make-a-move-for-mcgeady-35819627.html

either of those moves would be good for him. Boro looked shocking going forward last season.

[OwlsFan]

either of those moves would be good for him. Boro looked shocking going forward last season.

McGeady playing for the Smoggies - just don't see it. Another change wouldn't be great for him as he usually takes time to settle. If Preston want him and he likes it there, probably better for him to stay as they have a good manager although I don't really see them challenging for promotion but then I would have said that about Huddersfield last season.

[tetsujin1979]

signed a three year deal at Sunderland: https://www.safc.com/news/team-news/2017/july/double-signing-completed

[Olé Olé]

Big club. Long contract for his age. Good chance of promotion under a good manager that rates him. Not a bad move.

[DeLorean]

He'd want to hit the ground running there. The Sunderland fans can be pretty tough it seems.

[NeverFeltBetter]

I don't know if "tough" is the right word. Sunderland fans have had to put up with an awful lot of rubbish from not even half-arsed players over the last few years, especially last season, and they aren't afraid of calling it out. McGeady is very-capable of doing well for them at that level. Problems at the club go beyond the squad though.

[OwlsFan]

The trouble with Aiden is that he takes time to settle. His first month or so at Preston he spent some of the time on the bench and once he got a run, he played well. His loan spell at Wednesday didn't go well as he was in and out of the team. AT least his manager knows him and likes him so hopefully it will work out for him.

P.s. Mods, there are 4 other Aiden McGeady topics which may be worth merging.

Last Post: 31/05/2010, 8:20 AM Aiden McGeady By pete in forum Ireland
Replies: 117

Last Post: 23/01/2006, 2:02 PM Aiden McGeady By murtybyrne in forum Ireland
Replies: 26

Last Post: 20/09/2005, 7:59 PM Aiden McGeady interview By Donal81 in forum Ireland
Replies: 56

Last Post: 10/05/2005, 4:10 PM Aiden McGeady
By McGeady10 in forum Ireland
Replies: 61

[DeLorean]

I don't know if "tough" is the right word. Sunderland fans have had to put up with an awful lot of rubbish from not even half-arsed players over the last few years, especially last season, and they aren't afraid of calling it out.

True, I was more thinking about the way they treated Kilbane and turned on McClean... two players you could never accuse of being half-arsed, even if there were other factors in McClean's case.

[geysir]

Big club. Long contract for his age. Good chance of promotion under a good manager that rates him. Not a bad move.
Considering his age, he's still fleet of foot in tight spaces whereas Duff at that age had lost his ability to dribble.
Contract wise and club wise it looks to be a good move

[Olé Olé]

Considering his age, he's still fleet of foot in tight spaces whereas Duff at that age had lost his ability to dribble.
Contract wise and club wise it looks to be a good move

Noticed that too. He still seems to glide along the ground like he always has.

We can't complain too much about his not going back to PNE too much either. Frees up some space for Horgan et al to get more regular game time. With McGeady, you'd envisage a manager starting him at Championship level even when out of form due to his ability to pull a rabbit out of that had. That blocks up a starting spot.

[tetsujin1979]

The trouble with Aiden is that he takes time to settle. His first month or so at Preston he spent some of the time on the bench and once he got a run, he played well. His loan spell at Wednesday didn't go well as he was in and out of the team. AT least his manager knows him and likes him so hopefully it will work out for him.

P.s. Mods, there are 4 other Aiden McGeady topics which may be worth merging.

Last Post: 31/05/2010, 8:20 AM Aiden McGeady By pete in forum Ireland
Replies: 117

Last Post: 23/01/2006, 2:02 PM Aiden McGeady By murtybyrne in forum Ireland
Replies: 26

Last Post: 20/09/2005, 7:59 PM Aiden McGeady interview By Donal81 in forum Ireland
Replies: 56

Last Post: 10/05/2005, 4:10 PM Aiden McGeady
By McGeady10 in forum Ireland
Replies: 61

thanks, I've locked them instead for simplicity sake

[DeLorean]

Simon Ferry interviews Aiden McGeady (mostly about breaking through at Celtic as a young fella).


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXJI8N7WM1E

[DeLorean]

Only got around to watching the rest of these now. Would highly recommend to anybody that hasn't watched them yet (along with O'Dea's). Brilliant insight into their careers behind the scenes.

McGeady - Episode 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2csco3zjEQ) Episode 3 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJxeszWwVGI) Episode 4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0Z9fSpgN1M)

[Fixer82]

Only got around to watching the rest of these now. Would highly recommend to anybody that hasn't watched them yet (along with O'Dea's). Brilliant insight into their careers behind the scenes.

McGeady - Episode 2 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2csco3zjEQ) Episode 3 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LJxeszWwVGI) Episode 4 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0Z9fSpgN1M)

Agreed. Big respect for him going to Moscow

[DeLorean]

The final episode was released yesterday also, where McGeady discusses his move to Everton along with his stints at Sheffield Wednesday & Preston.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNI14Ky0ggw

[Stuttgart88]

He doesn't look fit to me. Bingo wings going on under the hoody. Hanging out with Andy Reid.

[Fixer82]

Goal and an assist today V Norwich.
Hoolahan started on the bench.
Gibson and O'Shea started on bench for Sunderland. All came on.

[liamoo11]

Great to see him and wes likely to be needed to unlock Georgia at some stage. Wonder if Gibson wil b in extended squad

[DeLorean]

Goal and an assist today V Norwich.

Great goal, similar to one or two of his strikes for Preston last season. Great assist too (1:46 & 2:32 below)


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1DNHJp-1z4

[OwlsFan]

Created a goal last night against Wednesday (what Westwood was doing out trying to close him down on the right hand edge of the box I have no idea) and put in a few other good crosses. Apparently after his poor loan spell at Wednesday he was thinking of retiring.

O'Shea on the bench and Gibson came on as a late substitute.

[DeLorean]

Apparently after his poor loan spell at Wednesday he was thinking of retiring.

He discusses all of this in the interviews with Simon Ferry on the previous page. The Sheffield Wednesday stuff is in Vol. 5 (Post 4340).

[DeLorean]

what Westwood was doing out trying to close him down on the right hand edge of the box I have no idea

Just saw it... absolutely bizarre from Westwood.

[tetsujin1979]

Cracking finish tonight against Ipswich
DRa4Z6FVOpU
(probably will be taken down soon)

[liamoo11]

Cracking finish tonight against Ipswich
DRa4Z6FVOpU
(probably will be taken down soon)

With Walters out I would expect mcgeady to play both games in the qualifiers

[DeLorean]

Great goal. I knew Sunderland weren't going too well but didn't realise quite how badly. In the relegation places now. No win in eight games and only one win in ten altogether. Grayson and McGeady return to high flying Preston on Saturday, with the former's job surely on the line. The grass isn't always greener!