Mark Noble

[frankbrett]

I saw in one of the tabloids recently that Stan was trying to lure Mark Noble from West Ham.
Not the most reliable source I know but it indicated that even though he has been named in England's enlarged squad for the Euro U21 Championships that he was eligible for Ireland.
As a central midfielder who impressed in his run in the team he would be a great addition.
Anyone heard any more on this or thinks there is a chance that he could want to play for Ireland?

[endabob1]

He's played under age for England and was called in to their u21 squad for the Euros so it seems unlikely. He's an East end boy through & through, not sure of the Irish connection.
Good young player though.

[beautifulrock]

Very good player and a first cousin of Lee Boywer I believe.

[frankbrett]

Very good player and a first cousin of Lee Boywer I believe.

Remember hearing somewhere that Bowyer was eligible for Ireland so might be relevant to Noble.
Probably academic though if he goes on to play for the U21s.

[DeNiro]

Wonder what Stan said to him? Do we really need him though?

[Torn-Ado]

I personally don't want to see anymore vaguely Irish players playing for the country (i.e a grandparent, Once drank a guinness, own a Corrs CD etc) unless they are of exceptional quality.

:)

[old git]

I personally don't want to see anymore vaguely Irish players playing for the country (i.e a grandparent, Once drank a guinness, own a Corrs CD etc) unless they are of exceptional quality.

:)
its a good job you are not the irish manager then... at the moment we would take anybody half decent.. ( grandparents / great grandparent etc ) :D

[Dodge]

I personally don't want to see anymore vaguely Irish players playing for the country (i.e a grandparent, Once drank a guinness, own a Corrs CD etc) unless they are of exceptional quality.

So if they're exceptional its ok? :rolleyes:

[NeilMcD]

If he wants to play for us call him up if he looks at England first then let him go. We want guys like Breen and Kilbane been called up in my view, not players like Matt Holland and Clinton Morrisson. There is a difference and I would prefer if we look for the former rather than the latter. Nothing against Holland or Morrisson and any of their performances for us. I think it was Dodge who said that the reason Townsend and Holland played well for us was due to them been good professionals not because they felt they were Irish.

[Torn-Ado]

So if they're exceptional its ok? :rolleyes:

Well I wouldn't say no to Kevin Nolan........

runs for cover amid an imminent tirade of abuse from foot.ie posters

;) :p

[endabob1]

My brother in law worked with Matty Hollands siser and she came to work in Ireland shirts during the last World Cup. She said he was "very proud" to play for Ireland, Townsend, Houghton etc... were mercenaries I wouldn't put Holland in that class.
I agree in general though if a player looks to England at U21 level then we should be looking elsewhere, I can forgive underage/youth/Schoolboy games but by U21 level you really should know your own mind.

[old git]

My brother in law worked with Matty Hollands siser and she came to work in Ireland shirts during the last World Cup. She said he was "very proud" to play for Ireland, Townsend, Houghton etc... were mercenaries I wouldn't put Holland in that class.
I agree in general though if a player looks to England at U21 level then we should be looking elsewhere, I can forgive underage/youth/Schoolboy games but by U21 level you really should know your own mind.

well if matty hollands sister wore ireland shirt and said that he was proud to play for ireland ... it must be be true !!!!!

houghton & townsend were mercenaries .. looked like they were proud
to play for ireland back in 86 / 90 etc and many other matches after that i don't really care how they qualify for ireland but once they give it their all on pitch for ireland thats good enough ,, :ball:

[endabob1]

Houghton once said his association with Ireland started when he put on the shirt and ended when he took it off (I'm paraphrasing but you get the general idea) .
Holland as far as I'm concerend is/was very proud to play for "his" country

[youngirish]

They are all mercenarys if you ask me. All would have gladly played for England/Scotland instead of us if they'd come calling beforehand. They played for Ireland simply to further their careers.

I'm not for this get anyone who once had a Boyzone/Westlife/Bewitched album meself as it makes a bit of a mockery of our team (and nation). Only lads that have always felt they are Irish (Kilbane and Breen) should be considered.

[Torn-Ado]

They are all mercenarys if you ask me. All would have gladly played for England/Scotland instead of us if they'd come calling beforehand. They played for Ireland simply to further their careers.

I'm not for this get anyone who once had a Boyzone/Westlife/Bewitched album meself as it makes a bit of a mockery of our team (and nation). Only lads that have always felt they are Irish (Kilbane and Breen) should be considered.

I'd go along with that.

[cavan_fan]

So if they're exceptional its ok? :rolleyes:

Of course it makes a difference

There are 3 factors

Were they born in Ireland
If not are they culturally Irish (Breen, Kilbane)
If not are they a huge improvement on what we have. (e.g. I'd take Steven Gerard or Wayne Rooney even if they had never visited Ireland, Lee Trundle would have to have grown up speaking Irish at home!)

[Bluebeard]

I'm worried about what I am saying, but I want to defend "Fintan" Morrisson on the count of playing for Ireland. He always seems to be delighted at the opportunity, and the images of him playing Gaelic Football will be seared into my skull for ever more.

It is also unfair to call him a mercenary: as Neil McD points out, that Townsend and Houghton played well for us because they were good professionals and good footballers.

Fintan is neither.

[danonion]

Considering that Morrison is content to start on the bench and actually showed up to watch the B match against Scotland its hard to call him a mercenary imo.

[youngirish]

We'll add Morrison into the Kilbane and Breen brackett then but Houghton, Townsend, Aldridge, Holland, Cascerino were mercenarys even if some of them were great players.

[joema]

Re the Matt Holland issue...he sang God Save The Queen at playoff final a few seasons ago. Having said that he always gave 100% for us.

[RiffRaff]

Re the Matt Holland issue...he sang God Save The Queen at playoff final a few seasons ago. Having said that he always gave 100% for us.

Nothing wrong with that. i like a bit of the Sex Pistols myself....

[dr_peepee]

Noble's a good player.... I'd have him!!

[Qwerty]

We'll add Morrison into the Kilbane and Breen brackett then but Houghton, Townsend, Aldridge, Holland, Cascerino were mercenarys even if some of them were great players.

Hold on, Morrison took his own sweet time answering Ireland's call, he gave Sven every chance to call him up - it was very clear he was waiting on an England call up. How soon we forget ;)

[Wrigleyman]

They are all mercenarys if you ask me. All would have gladly played for England/Scotland instead of us if they'd come calling beforehand. They played for Ireland simply to further their careers.

I'm not for this get anyone who once had a Boyzone/Westlife/Bewitched album meself as it makes a bit of a mockery of our team (and nation). Only lads that have always felt they are Irish (Kilbane and Breen) should be considered.

I'm happy to be corrected on this if im wrong, but didn't Houghton turn down the Sweaty's to play for us?
Personally i'd rather have 'not real Irish but good pros' like Ray, Townsend and Cascarino then proper Irish lads, if the proper Irish are non-tryer Bentley Boys like Carr, Kennedy and (dare I say it) captain Robbie