John Sheridan

[Kingdom]

I think that's extremely unfair on Sheridan. I always associated him with Wednesday, but only relatively recently twigged he'd a long career with Leeds. Obviously he was part of the Leeds downcycle, so you'd assume he was average enough. I looked into a bit further and it seems that he was a shining light for 4/5 seasons and stayed extremely loyal to Leeds when he had offers of First Division football, but then that clown Wilkinson took over and shipped him off.

The likes of Owlsfan and Stuttgart would probably know, but would Sheridan fit into the catagory of "luxury player" by English first division/premier league standards? I wonder would he have been more suited to modern football, where there is a greater acceptance of pure ball players in the middle of the pitch.

Certainly from looking at some of his goals, we have nobody of a goal threat like that in midfield at present, or with the same ability over the dead ball. His goal against Charlton in the Playoff final was an absolute peach, and Le Tissier obviously took a look at one of Sheridan's free-kick routines, where the ball was rolled back, Sheridan flicks it up for himself and volley


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vw3AtVwK7gc&feature=player_detailpage

also this highlights reel:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7yxy7F_l4Q

[DeLorean]

Well if you're comparing him to what we have now, he was exceptional. If you're comparing him to what we had back then, he was no more than good. I'd have to agree with Paul that although he was a lovely, tidy footballer he wasn't top class. At that time we had a good few who were. That's not knocking the guy at all by the way, I enjoyed watching him as much as the next man.

[DannyInvincible]

Out of interest, how did Sheridan qualify? I see he played for us at under-19 (including the 1982 and 1983 European Under-18 Championships) and under-21 levels before playing senior.

[Stuttgart88]

Well if you're comparing him to what we have now, he was exceptional. If you're comparing him to what we had back then, he was no more than good. I'd have to agree with Paul that although he was a lovely, tidy footballer he wasn't top class. At that time we had a good few who were. That's not knocking the guy at all by the way, I enjoyed watching him as much as the next man.i think Charlton didn't really fancy his type of player. Mike Milligan was another who could have thrived if he was at his best during the Mick McCarthy era. I remember before the WC in 1990 Barry Davies saying in his commentary of an Oldham game that Ireland must have some very good midfielders if he can't get in our squad. He was a very cultured player in a team that more than held his own, but lacked the physicality that Charlton liked. Arguably at least as good a player as Kinsella. Same too of Sheridan.

[DeLorean]

Kelly was a bit unlucky not to play a bit more.
As was Sheridan actually until the '94 qualifiers.

Sheridan's goal against Spain (to make it 1-3) ultimately qualified us for the 1994 WC. Without it, Alan McLoughlin's equaliser at Windsor would have been pretty worthless. I just read (while looking for his Irish connection) that he didn't start any of the qualifiers in that campaign though, which I found slightly surprising, although I knew that he only came on in that Spanish match. We did have Roy Keane by then of course, as well as Townsend and Houghton.


36. John Sheridan


Caps: 32
Goals: 5
International Career: 1988-1995
Position: Centre Midfielder
Clubs: Manchester City, Leeds United, Nottingham Forest, Sheffield Wednesday, Birmingham City, Bolton Wanderers, Doncaster Rovers, Oldham Athletic
Club Stats: 621 games, 89 goals


Although none of his goals could be considered to have been the decider in any competitive game, John Sheridan’s strike against Bolivia in a 1-0 friendly victory in 1994 was the 100th ever Irish goal at Lansdowne Road. During the eight years, Sheridan played for Ireland, he controlled the game from midfield, and impressed Jack Charlton enough for the boss to start him in all of our games at World Cup 1994, even though Sheridan had started none of the qualifiers. He hit the bar against Italy in the opener, but more importantly, his late goal after coming on as a substitute in the qualifiers against Spain, making the score 3-1 rather than 3-0, meant that Ireland qualified for the USA on goal difference. He was again a starter for Euro 96 qualifying, but retired gracefully after the playoff defeat to Holland.

GreenScene - List of best ever Irish players (http://greenscene.me/2011/03/best-irish-football-players-ever-40-31/)

[Stuttgart88]

That was a depressing game, but my mates and I knew immediately how important Sheridan's goal was at the time. Anyone who grew up during the Hand era has a special part of his brain dedicated to real-time group permutation and goal difference calculations. It's beside the part of the brain that makes the same people always look to the linesman's flag when we score a goal, no matter who clear cut it looks.

[BonnieShels]

That was a depressing game, but my mates and I knew immediately how important Sheridan's goal was at the time. Anyone who grew up during the Hand era has a special part of his brain dedicated to real-time group permutation and goal difference calculations. It's beside the part of the brain that makes the same people always look to the linesman's flag when we score a goal, no matter who clear cut it looks.

I wasn't old enough to be able to make such whizzbang calculations but I was acutely aware of it by the time the night in Belfast came around.

My only memory of watching that Spain game was as you said yourself, how bloody depressing it was. It was the biggest defeat at that stage I had witnessed as an Irish fan. Little did I know what was trundling down the line.

[paul_oshea]

Didnt Rte show the last 10 minutes or so of that Spain v Denmark game and the save right at the end from a corner? I remember being down in the neighbours house and then coming up to the house and watching in a litle portable TV in the "good/vistors room".

I also have a memory of watching rugby around the same time when Ireland lost 6-3 to wales and no one had any interest in Rugby, and how ****ed off I was that "we had come to this", in my few years of watching rugby i had still fortrightly declared that statement.

[DannyInvincible]

Didnt Rte show the last 10 minutes or so of that Spain v Denmark game and the save right at the end from a corner? I remember being down in the neighbours house and then coming up to the house and watching in a litle portable TV in the "good/vistors room".

If they put you in the good visitor's room, I wouldn't want to have seen the bad visitor's room! :p

Cañizares was inspired that night after Zubizarreta's complete brain-fart early on.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76k3J3beZPU

'Twas the worst moment in Danish history (not just footballing or sporting), ever, apparently...

[BonnieShels]

Didnt Rte show the last 10 minutes or so of that Spain v Denmark game and the save right at the end from a corner? I remember being down in the neighbours house and then coming up to the house and watching in a litle portable TV in the "good/vistors room".

We called it the parlour. No doubt a boudoir in your house.

---

Yeah I recall RTÉ doing that. I watched the game in my Grandad's room as I tended to do with all sports around that time. Even at 9yoa I was still a cranky fecker when it came to Ireland games.


I also have a memory of watching rugby around the same time when Ireland lost 6-3 to wales and no one had any interest in Rugby, and how ****ed off I was that "we had come to this", in my few years of watching rugby i had still fortrightly declared that statement.

I have a vague recollection of being like that as well. I could never handle any Irish defeat. I was obviously optimistic once. I never knew at that stage we were relatively gash at rugby.

[Stuttgart88]

Our national capacity for self loathing wasn't as well established back then. These days relying on an inspired Spanish goalkeeper, who would later miss a (that?) World Cup because he dropped aftershave on his foot, would cue hysteria about luck, rubbish team selections, negative play and so on.

And going to the WC would have been futile anyway. :)

[paul_oshea]

Denmark and Spain were big sides then though Stutts, and we still had about 17 points at that stage.

[BonnieShels]

We were a big side too.

We were ranked ahead of both at that stage.

[DeLorean]

In fairness, Spain are a lot bigger now than they were then. Always a force though relatively speaking. They had failed to qualify for the previous Euros, but then so had Denmark and they won it :)

[Charlie Darwin]

We called it the parlour.
Bloody protestants.

[Kingdom]

At that stage la liga trundled along a mile behind Serie A. Sure there were some good players in la liga, but if you were big, or Jean Pierre Papin, you went to Italy. If you think of how well we played, and how ordinary we made Spain look in Seville, to how they were in Dublin, it does show that they were on an upward curve. Hierro, one of the best centre-halves of the modern era, came through, as did Luis Enrique. Bakero was important for Barca and Nadal was one of the most sought after players in Europe.

When you think about it, that was a disgusting group to be in. Spain, top seeds, and Denmark the European Champions sandwiched ourselves, who were one of the most feared sides in Europe.

[BonnieShels]

At that stage la liga trundled along a mile behind Serie A. Sure there were some good players in la liga, but if you were big, or Jean Pierre Papin, you went to Italy. If you think of how well we played, and how ordinary we made Spain look in Seville, to how they were in Dublin, it does show that they were on an upward curve. Hierro, one of the best centre-halves of the modern era, came through, as did Luis Enrique. Bakero was important for Barca and Nadal was one of the most sought after players in Europe.

When you think about it, that was a disgusting group to be in. Spain, top seeds, and Denmark the European Champions sandwiched ourselves, who were one of the most feared sides in Europe.

Our groups tend to be disgusting.

[DeLorean]

Gone back to manage Oldham Athletic (http://www.oldhamathletic.co.uk/news/article/breaking-news-sheridan-returns-as-first-team-manager-2900097.aspx)

Oldham are four points adrift of safety in League One with a game in hand.

[OwlsFan]

Went to Newport who were in worse difficulties and managed to get them out of the relegation zone. Best of luck to him.

[paul_oshea]

We were a big side too.

We were ranked ahead of both at that stage.

That was the old rankings system, as we were still not top seeds.

[DeLorean]

Went to Newport who were in worse difficulties and managed to get them out of the relegation zone. Best of luck to him.

A massive win last night (http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/35349455) away to relegation rivals Shrewsbury. It will be interesting to keep an eye on them as they still have an awful lot to do.

[OwlsFan]

Yes, saw that. The proverbial 6 pointer. Still a lot of work to do.


19 Chesterfield 28 9 3 16 38 48 -10 30
20 Shrewsbury Town 28 8 5 15 33 47 -14 29
21 Fleetwood Town 26 7 7 12 33 35 -2 28
22 Oldham Athletic 27 4 12 11 27 40 -13 24
23 Crewe Alexandra 27 5 7 15 27 49 -22 22
24 Colchester United 28 5 7 16 36 65 -29 22

[DeLorean]

Oldham won 1-0 away to Southend tonight and moved six points clear of danger, a remarkable turnaround under Sheridan.

[Fixer82]

In fairness, Spain are a lot bigger now than they were then. Always a force though relatively speaking. They had failed to qualify for the previous Euros, but then so had Denmark and they won it :)

Surely Denmark were ahead of us having won Euro '92 no?
Anyway, here's one of my favourite Sheridan moments. I hope he climbs the leagues and manages us some day.
I think, to answer an earlier question, he qualified through his father's parents. From Mayo possibly? (don't quote me on that last bit)

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

[DeLorean]

I remember it well, lovely strike. It's actually quite similar to this (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wN1wgIey2es) which I had never really thought about.

[Fixer82]

I remember it well, lovely strike. It's actually quite similar to this (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wN1wgIey2es) which I had never really thought about.

Ha, carbon copy!

[Fixer82]

Love the cheekiness of this too. It's true, he wasn't really a Charlton type player. Charlton accommodated him in '94 by dropping a striker

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3yauo9T5FI

[Fixer82]

Ok this is my last post in the John Sheridan love-in but check out the goal from Irwin. Sheridan scores a peno and (a 29 year old?) McCarthy scores a header. But check out the goal from Irwin. Too good not to share

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLupBr-0lps

[pineapple stu]

Has to be said, that is one of the all-time great handballs for the peno too.

[jbyrne]

Ok this is my last post in the John Sheridan love-in but check out the goal from Irwin. Sheridan scores a peno and (a 29 year old?) McCarthy scores a header. But check out the goal from Irwin. Too good not to share

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLupBr-0lps

did no one check mick mccarthys birth cert for that u23 game??

[Fixer82]

did no one check mick mccarthys birth cert for that u23 game??

A friend suggested it may have been Olympic rules, where you can have two over players over 23. Maybe McCarthy was getting back to fitness and needed game time or something

[tetsujin1979]

Been backed from 12-1 to 1-6 to be the next Leeds manager: http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/leeds-united-john-sheridan-now-1-6-favourite-for-whites-job-1-7900535

[OwlsFan]

Been backed from 12-1 to 1-6 to be the next Leeds manager: http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/sport/football/leeds-united/leeds-united-john-sheridan-now-1-6-favourite-for-whites-job-1-7900535

An excellent choice were it to happen. He has pretty much had a magic wand wherever he has gone.

[seanfhear]

An excellent choice were it to happen. He has pretty much had a magic wand wherever he has gone.You probably need a fistful of magic wands at Leeds. Its been a basket case of a club for quite a while now.........but it has potential....... maybe baby.

[CraftyToePoke]

You probably need a fistful of magic wands at Leeds. Its been a basket case of a club for quite a while now.........but it has potential....... maybe baby.

Echoed.
Been a tough shift for managers there for a while.

[pineapple stu]

Do well for three months.

Lose two games.

Get sacked.

Back at square one.

Probably a better option out there - a shame he's never managed at a higher level than the third tier (I think?) though. Maybe there's a reason for that, but he seems to have done reasonably well at his various clubs in the past.

[Stuttgart88]

He was born 20 years too early. He'd have made a packet in today's game and wouldn't have to go from town to town all over the UK to earn a crust.

[OwlsFan]

His managerial statistics are excellent when you consider that by and large he took over teams when struggling at the wrong end of the lower reaches of the English leagues Total G490 W189 D132 L169

[Lionel Ritchie]

I don't think it'd work out well. I've huge admiration for Sheridan and am a Leeds supporter I should clarify.

Leeds don't deserve a manager of his calibre. Better put - a manager of his calibre deserves better than what's on offer at Leeds which is essentially no more than the opportunity to attempt CV rehabilitation (which Sheridan scarcely needs incidently) while his coaching badges are being used to validate the actions of a lunatic owner who's attempting to proxy manage a football team from the shadows.

Steve Evans needed that opportunity at career rehab and I've gone from considering him a bumbling idiot to believing him to be an honourable man working under impossible conditions. I don't think he's good enough to manage Leeds and the I believe the main reason he wasn't sacked was Cellino can't afford to have any more ex-managers on gardening leave (as Milanic recently revealed he still is). But under the current regime Leeds deserve no better. I wish Evans well wherever he ends up.

John Sheridan would do well to avoid Elland Road til Cellino jogs on.

[seanfhear]

^ Unstable Chairpersons ain't good for football clubs...I will accept payment from football clubs for this sage advice !

[tetsujin1979]

appointed manager of Notts County: http://www.nottscountyfc.co.uk/news/article/john-sheridan-mark-crossley-3127780.aspx

[DeLorean]

That's pretty underwhelming isn't it? He's actually dropped a division. Must be some reason he took it, financial?

I remember reading something a few years ago about Notts County being statistically the most frustrating team to support in the football league!

[OwlsFan]

I remember reading something a few years ago about Notts County being statistically the most frustrating team to support in the football league!

I'd say that must be the other Magpies, Newcastle. They even won an FA Cup in 1894 (don't really recall it - was only a young lad at the time).

Probably too strong a phrase "sleeping giant" but potentially a Championship club. Graham Burke is there but not a great conversion rate for a striker (looking at his Wikipedia stats).https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Graham_Burke

[DeLorean]

I'd say that must be the other Magpies, Newcastle.

It's actually from a lot further back than I realised but here it is. (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/columnists/jimwhite/2305662/County-fans-top-of-stress-league.html)


The stress-inducing factors the surveyors took into account included: narrowly missing out on promotion and relegation; regular failure to win at home; losing matches from a winning position; losing in play-offs; financial problems leading to uncertainty over a club's future; changes in ownership; and frequent changes of manager.

[DeLorean]

Sacked by Notts County. (http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/38492139)

[jbyrne]

sacked by Oldham

[DeLorean]

sacked by Oldham

That might be a bit of a blow for Jack Byrne - http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/41239989

[OwlsFan]

Two posts in succession stating that he has been sacked from different jobs :( The official line was that he left "by mutual consent".That statement always reminds me of a conversation between my mother and one of my brothers. "Why aren't you going to work?". Response: "I don't have a job any more." Mother: "You were sacked !!??" Brother (indignantly) "I wasn't sacked. I was asked to leave".

Sheridan was at the Sheffield derby yesterday (with Chris Waddle). He's had in ups and downs (literally) as a manager in the lower leagues but never managed to make that leap to a higher level. Shame.

[tetsujin1979]

Resigned as manager of Carlisle earlier today: https://www.carlisleunited.co.uk/news/2019/january/club-first-team-manager-resigns-from-position/
According to Sky Sports, he will take over at Chesterfield (currently 21st in the National League) in a few days

[pineapple stu]

What a weird move. Carlisle in the play-offs in League Two in their fifth year in that division. Looks like he was doing alright there?