Sean St. Ledger

[youngirish]

English Daily Express, Everton in 4m bid for Sean St Ledger.

The sad thing is the second St Ledger gets a move to the Premiership I'm fairly certain he will replace Alex Bruce in the squad and probably will be in contention for a start (perhaps O'Shea will be switched to LB) even though he's been good enough to have a look at for over a year now.

[tetsujin1979]

There;s no way Trapattoni is voluntarily going to break up the partnership of O'Shea and Dunne at centre half. Only injury or suspension will make that happen.

[republicofwhite]

Obviously he should have been there already and by now but in fairness, there's nothing sad about him replacing Alex Bruce in the squad. More like dancing in the streets...

[youngirish]

There;s no way Trapattoni is voluntarily going to break up the partnership of O'Shea and Dunne at centre half. Only injury or suspension will make that happen.

It should be a sacrifice any manager should be willing to make if it'll mean Kilbane is no longer guaranteed a start.

How's this for a first 11 this time next year if we make the world cup?

Given
Foley St Ledger Dunne O'Shea

Lawrence Gibson McCann Duff

Keane Doyle


All pie in the sky nonsense of course and its assumed here that Foley, McCann and St Ledger will all have a season in the Premiership under their belts (It's a strong possibility to suggest at least 2 out of the above 3 will do by that stage).

Also one of Judge or Doran for Blackburn could easily break into the first team next season unless Big Sam finds serious transfer funds from somewhere and if that occurs they will also become viable options (though perhaps not as starters).

[Jicked]

The sad thing is the second St Ledger gets a move to the Premiership I'm fairly certain he will replace Alex Bruce in the squad and probably will be in contention for a start (perhaps O'Shea will be switched to LB) even though he's been good enough to have a look at for over a year now.

It's not sad, it's completely sensible. John O'Shea has played how many hundreds of games for Mancheter United in the Premier League, Champions League and how many caps in big games for Ireland? He's about to play in a Champions League final and has Alex Ferguson talking about him being one of their best players this year.
Sean St Ledger has shown terrific promise in the Championship, never played a premier league game, faced premier league quality opponents a handful of times, and yet you think he should be in contention to start ahead of O'Shea and start switching around a rather good looking back four?

Like I said in the Owen Coyle thread, there shouldn't be any rush to throw inexperienced players in to the mix, let them develop at club level and gain experience before asking them to step up to the pressure-cooker that is international football. After a season or two of experience against top players in the Premier League then come back and say he should be getting a game for Ireland.

[youngirish]

It's not sad, it's completely sensible. John O'Shea has played how many hundreds of games for Mancheter United in the Premier League, Champions League and how many caps in big games for Ireland? He's about to play in a Champions League final and has Alex Ferguson talking about him being one of their best players this year.
Sean St Ledger has shown terrific promise in the Championship, never played a premier league game, faced premier league quality opponents a handful of times, and yet you think he should be in contention to start ahead of O'Shea and start switching around a rather good looking back four?

Like I said in the Owen Coyle thread, there shouldn't be any rush to throw inexperienced players in to the mix, let them develop at club level and gain experience before asking them to step up to the pressure-cooker that is international football. After a season or two of experience against top players in the Premier League then come back and say he should be getting a game for Ireland.
I'd agree if we had an abundance of Premier League talent in our squad but considering the lack of quality around at the moment there's no harm having the more promising, younger Championship players around the squad to gain experience and some game time in friendlies so when an emergency does arrive (a Dunne suspension or JOS injury for example) we have a viable option to replace them.

Anyway the fact is KK is a weak link (as has been proven), we've been very lucky so far most people will agree (Georgia at home, Bulgaria at home spring to mind) and JOS is no Paul McGrath though he's been solid if not spectacular under Trap thus far. He's already been switched to one of the fullback positions against Italy anyway to accomodate McShane of all players.

Point is there's no harm trying out something different in friendlies and I'm just suggesting St Ledger will most likely (imo) go straight into the squad just because he got a move and a few games in the Premiership and not because he's had a year or two to develop as a player and this approach doesn't make sense.

I'm not criticizing Trap I think he's done a great job with very limited resources but I do think DG and Liam Brady are recommending the wrong fringe players to him which could come back to bite him on the ar*e.

[the doc]

It's not sad, it's completely sensible. John O'Shea has played how many hundreds of games for Mancheter United in the Premier League, Champions League and how many caps in big games for Ireland? He's about to play in a Champions League final and has Alex Ferguson talking about him being one of their best players this year.
Sean St Ledger has shown terrific promise in the Championship, never played a premier league game, faced premier league quality opponents a handful of times, and yet you think he should be in contention to start ahead of O'Shea and start switching around a rather good looking back four?

Like I said in the Owen Coyle thread, there shouldn't be any rush to throw inexperienced players in to the mix, let them develop at club level and gain experience before asking them to step up to the pressure-cooker that is international football. After a season or two of experience against top players in the Premier League then come back and say he should be getting a game for Ireland.

I think you make some good points, however how do you explain Alex Bruce being in the squad then?

[Stuttgart88]

I've been adamant that Dunne-O'Shea shouldn't be broken up, not because i don't rate JOS as a full back - I do - but because I fear for the quality of CB that'd replace him. I'd prefer to have a ropey FB than a ropey CB. I think Foley & St.Ledger are really close to the reckoning however and much as I admire his attitude and application, I just can't think of McShane as anything other than a mistake waiting to happen.

I can see YI's XI being a good one but I think he's being a bit stubborn in his dismissal of either Whelan or Andrews. I suspect if you replaced McCann with Andrews in the Burnley team at this time, Andrews would look just as impressive.

I'd love to see some of our better fringe players (no Stephen Ireland hairline jokes please) being given a chance to play their way into this team asap. Lawrence, Sledge and Foley probably the most important, McCann is not so important for the here & now in my opinion.

I've always felt that a year from now we'll have a better team and I just hope that we can sneak qualification because in 13/14 months' time I can hand on heart expect we'll be materially more competitive and better balanced.

[Stuttgart88]

Bear in mind I also think St. Ledger can deputise relaibly at FB. I think that's why Bruce has been in the squad to date.

[youngirish]

I can see YI's XI being a good one but I think he's being a bit stubborn in his dismissal of either Whelan or Andrews. I suspect if you replaced McCann with Andrews in the Burnley team at this time, Andrews would look just as impressive.

Stutts I agree I'm more looking at McCann with a glass half full outlook of what he could be like if he gets a season under his belt in the Premiership against the big boys ,after all he's still only 21. At present I'd go with Andrews due to his greater experience and the similar levels of ability involved. I can see McCann only getting better though for three reasons:

1. He's got a good manager who believes in his ability to guide him and seems reluctant to drop him
2. He's got the physical attributes to exceed in the game
3. (And this is the most important) He's consistently got better every season he's played for Burnley since making his debut at 18 this has not been true for many of our other young players (Garvan, Stokes, McGeady spring to mind)

Of course if he gets a bad run of injuries that could greatly upset his development as has been the case unfortunately with Joey O'Brien who looked an excellent prospect a few season ago.

[paul_oshea]

I'd agree if we had an abundance of Premier League talent in our squad but considering the lack of quality around at the moment there's no harm having the more promising, younger Championship players around the squad to gain experience and some game time in friendlies so when an emergency does arrive (a Dunne suspension or JOS injury for example) we have a viable option to replace them.

Anyway the fact is KK is a weak link (as has been proven), we've been very lucky so far most people will agree (Georgia at home, Bulgaria at home spring to mind) and JOS is no Paul McGrath though he's been solid if not spectacular under Trap thus far. He's already been switched to one of the fullback positions against Italy anyway to accomodate McShane of all players.

Point is there's no harm trying out something different in friendlies and I'm just suggesting St Ledger will most likely (imo) go straight into the squad just because he got a move and a few games in the Premiership and not because he's had a year or two to develop as a player and this approach doesn't make sense.

I'm not criticizing Trap I think he's done a great job with very limited resources but I do think DG and Liam Brady are recommending the wrong fringe players to him which could come back to bite him on the ar*e.

YI stay off the happy pills! :)

[Stuttgart88]

yeah, I'd go along with that.

[paul_oshea]

yeah, I'd go along with that.

btw i spotted what you did in your 3rd last post stutts.

[Stuttgart88]

btw i spotted what you did in your 3rd last post stutts.I'm not sure if I spotted it myself but if it was clever I'll take full credit. What did I do?

[paul_oshea]

I'm not sure if I spotted it myself but if it was clever I'll take full credit. What did I do?

Sledge.

[Stuttgart88]

No I didn't. I never offend anyone.

[elroy]

If true, sounds good, but dont they have 3 good CBs there already. Though I cant see moyes spending 4 mil without actually using the player a lot. He wont surely dispose of Jagielka or Lescott?!

I think Lescott is meant to be a target of Arsenals this summer.

[drummerboy]

Interesting article about St Ledger's experience with Irish team, taken from PNE's official website.

http://www.pnefc.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10362~1688718,00.html

[the doc]

Good article from the Lancashire Evening Post

http://www.lep.co.uk/pnenews/Sean-reminds-Trapattoni-of-World.5350254.jp?CommentPage=2&CommentPageLength=10#comments

[Duggie]

trap has a great way of comparing the players to there italian counter parts, like with whelan / gattuso. if it helps there performances and confidence then keep it up trap.

[johnnyc]

I love the way St. Ledger refers to Trap as Mr. Trapattoni all the time!

[drummerboy]

Good article from the Lancashire Evening Post

http://www.lep.co.uk/pnenews/Sean-reminds-Trapattoni-of-World.5350254.jp?CommentPage=2&CommentPageLength=10#comments

Impressed that Irvine went all the way to Sofia to watch St Ledger.

[geysir]

Good stuff that the PNE manager travelled all the way to Sofia.

BTW, he calls him "Ledge".

[paul_oshea]

Ya, a mate was out in some snazzy club the saturday after the nigeria game, and was calling him ledge, i asked him why he called him ledge and he said cos thats what everyone calls him :D Btw on a side note, he said he was sound chatting away for ages, and unbelievably chuffed that he was recognised by an Irish supporter.

[carloz]

Impressed that Irvine went all the way to Sofia to watch St Ledger.

Read that over the weekend. Think it was an absolutly fantastic gesture. Supposedly he put off the family holiday to go over to Sofia. Wonderful gesture to do for a player having his debut. Sledge has come a long way since Big Ron manager. Reads the game very well, glad he has got his chance

[the doc]

http://www.carlow-nationalist.ie/tabId/425/itemId/3434/St-Ledger-dedicates-first-cap-to-late-Carlow-grand.aspx

[republicofwhite]

If Lescott leaves Everton, to go there would be a perfect move for him. I think he has it written all over him that he can go on and emulate what Lescott has achieved and become a top class centre half who makes a gradual but smooth transition from the Championship.

[the doc]

http://www.lep.co.uk/pnenews/Super-Saint-is-Mawene39s-tip.5387340.jp

[Wangball]

Big rumours around Glasgow that Mowbray wants him at Celtic,seems unlikely though, exposure to Champions league football seems the only advantage of that move

[Stuttgart88]

Scottish Mail said price would be £1.5 million. No way would Preston accept that I'd say.

[Wangball]

Scottish Mail said price would be £1.5 million. No way would Preston accept that I'd say.

I'd heard it was an exchange deal, O'Dea or Caddis with cash

[Oink]

I think Celtic would be a very good move for him. I think central defenders can improve a lot playing in the SPL for a top tier team, it's probably the only position where a move to the SPL would be a good thing for a few years. The aggressive, direct football on generally smaller pitches mean the defenders are under pressure a lot more than you would see in the EPL.

[carloz]

Celtic would be a poor move for him. He easily has the potential to play for a mid-high ranking Premiership team, why **** it away by playing against Inverness and Motherwell week in week out. Im sure he has his heart set on bigger things than Celtic

[Wangball]

http://www.eleven-a-side.com/acrossthewater/news.asp?n=36647
My rumour "confirmed"....still can't see it happening though, as a Celtic Supporter it would be great and Champions League football would help the boy improve but as an Ireland fan I'd love to see him doing his stuff in the Premiership

[the doc]

http://www.eleven-a-side.com/acrossthewater/news.asp?n=36647
My rumour "confirmed"....still can't see it happening though, as a Celtic Supporter it would be great and Champions League football would help the boy improve but as an Ireland fan I'd love to see him doing his stuff in the Premiership

From what I'm hearing at the Preston end is that Celtic have now raised it to 2.5m plus add ons.

Rumours that Alan Irvine is going to be the new WBA manager, will also have a bearing on what Celtic offer as Alan Irvine would more than likely want to make St Ledger his first signing.

[Brendan 82]

Will be fun seeing him in the Champions league!

[SkStu]

all transfer speculation seems to have died down surrounding Sledge. Anyone (doc maybe ;) ) got any word on what is in line for him this season? Sticking with Preston?

[the doc]

all transfer speculation seems to have died down surrounding Sledge. Anyone (doc maybe ;) ) got any word on what is in line for him this season? Sticking with Preston?

Preston want 5m for him, but Celtic who are pushing to sign him won't pay that much.

Everton could come in if they sell Lescott.

Trapp has recommended him to Italian clubs

I'd say the Irish Cannavaro, will start the season at Preston and then end up at Celtic.

[dr_peepee]

Trapps recomendations to Italian clubs will only bare fruit in a "Diamond in the rough" kind of scenario. Say Glenn Whelan six months ago, an Italian team might have got him for a few hundred thousand. Maybe Alex Bruce on a free...

In the case of Sledge, the italians are bound by the same financial contraints the English clubs are, so are gonna be even more reluctant to spend a few million, or even a couple of million, especially on a Championship player.

[Junior]

There hasnt been much from reliable sources (that I am aware of) of Celtic being too interested in Sledge??

[irishfan86]

Considering the doc is Sledge, or someone close to him, I'll take his posts as a good source.

[Wangball]

Again I would like to stress how much I would love to see St Ledger at Celtic next season, they could get rid of that Donkey McManus then

[the doc]

Again I would like to stress how much I would love to see St Ledger at Celtic next season, they could get rid of that Donkey McManus then

From what I'm hearing theres a very good chance it will happen!

[the doc]

http://www.pnefc.net/page/NewsDetail/0,,10362~1727919,00.html

[SkStu]

would much rather see Sledge play for Everton (im a part time toffee) than stagnating at Celtic. :(

[Wangball]

would much rather see Sledge play for Everton (im a part time toffee) than stagnating at Celtic. :(

Celtic fan in me disagree's with you but the Ireland fan in me see's your point, but to be fair playing Champions League can do nothing but help the boy improve, the SPL is a good place form centre halves to prove themselves and earn a big money move to the Premiership, Cuellar did it last year, Bougherra is tipped to do it this year and in the past guys like Boumsong (I know...:)) have done the same! So its hardly a graveyard if you get my drift

[Predator]

would much rather see Sledge play for Everton (im a part time toffee) than stagnating at Celtic. :(
Fair point, but would he get first team football at Everton? If not, then that wouldn't be good for Ireland surely? If he's at Celtic he has the chance to test himself in the Champions' League which can only be good? If he's still good enough, he'll get into the Ireland squad (who else do we have to be honest:eek:).

Although, if he's at Everton, he'd have tougher competition and maybe you're right that it would raise his game.

[DmanDmythDledge]

From a Preston fan I know:

"Everton after SSL to replace Lescott, £5mil I believe we are asking."

[Umberside]

From a Preston fan I know:

"Everton after SSL to replace Lescott, £5mil I believe we are asking."

I'm quite sure they are chasing Steven Taylor from Newcastle but it would be great if St Ledger went to Everton anyway.

[DmanDmythDledge]

I'm quite sure they are chasing Steven Taylor from Newcastle but it would be great if St Ledger went to Everton anyway.
I'd they are enquiring about all possible options to keep their options open. Everton will probably want to move fairly sharp to get a replacement, especially with Villa also looking for a centre back (Taylor actually is rumoured to be top of their wish list). Things could become more clear later today/tomorrow perhaps.