Irish Abroad 2007/2008

[eirebhoy]

McShane was apparently excellent today against Bolton. No surprise it was against a target man in Kevin Davies. Anyway, the BBC still make stuff up saying the ball hit McShane's arm for the goal. The ball didn't touch him. He was shoved in the back. His timing for headers is superb and certainly not something he can be critisised for. I don't know what it is but people like to try and find faults in everything McShane does. His style of play makes him look like a headless chicken but he's far from that and will be class when he hits his peak imo.

[irishbaz]

I watched the game between Palace and Sheff Utd yesterday on the advice of a mate who has been going on about Sean Scannell saying this lad had it all could play on both wings, was attacking in nature and could score. He said he was Irish and only 17, watching him yesterday he looked good in the first half and faded in the second but at times switched wings looked comfortable with both feet and had a good chance saved. Does anyone else know anything about him?

[Hibernian]

I watched the game between Palace and Sheff Utd yesterday on the advice of a mate who has been going on about Sean Scannell saying this lad had it all could play on both wings, was attacking in nature and could score. He said he was Irish and only 17, watching him yesterday he looked good in the first half and faded in the second but at times switched wings looked comfortable with both feet and had a good chance saved. Does anyone else know anything about him?

Dont know much about him myself saw him yesterday too and taught he looked very good indeed,

But about how many youngsters have we said that about before but hopefully this guy will make it.

[Superhoops]

I watched the game between Palace and Sheff Utd yesterday on the advice of a mate who has been going on about Sean Scannell saying this lad had it all could play on both wings, was attacking in nature and could score. He said he was Irish and only 17, watching him yesterday he looked good in the first half and faded in the second but at times switched wings looked comfortable with both feet and had a good chance saved. Does anyone else know anything about him?
He has come through Palace's academy and has played for their U-18's, reserves and first team this season. His record at all levels would indicate he has an eye for goal.

He is in our current U-18 squad and played last month in the two games in Germany. He has played at U-16 and U-17. Last season with the U-17 squad, he started in 2 of the 3 games in the first Qualifying stage of the UEFA championship on Azerbaijan, he played in all three games (2 starts, 1 sub) in the Elite Qualifying group of that tournament in Germany, he started in both the friendlies against Italy in January and he played in all three games (2 starts, 1 sub) in the tournament in Hungary at the start of that season, scoring three goals. Sean McCaffrey rates him as an outstanding prospect.

Born in UK and qualifies for us through his Irish father.

[tetsujin1979]

He has a younger brother in Palace's academy as well.

[tetsujin1979]

Richard Keogh's latest diary entry: http://www.icons.com/keogh/diary.html?30.12.07

[tetsujin1979]

McShane was apparently excellent today against Bolton. No surprise it was against a target man in Kevin Davies. Anyway, the BBC still make stuff up saying the ball hit McShane's arm for the goal. The ball didn't touch him. He was shoved in the back. His timing for headers is superb and certainly not something he can be critisised for. I don't know what it is but people like to try and find faults in everything McShane does. His style of play makes him look like a headless chicken but he's far from that and will be class when he hits his peak imo.
Got 2 bonus points in fantasy football as well yesterday. He has 6 altogether now, the only Sunderland player with more is Jones with 7, although Higgenbotham also has 6.

[balls]

was in london over xmas was reading daily star it said chelsea and arsenal were interested in signing 3 young palace players. scanell was one of these and some other young 15 year old wonderkid

[irishfan86]

He was named in the Emerging British XI or something I was reading.

[dr_peepee]

McShane was apparently excellent today against Bolton. No surprise it was against a target man in Kevin Davies. Anyway, the BBC still make stuff up saying the ball hit McShane's arm for the goal. The ball didn't touch him. He was shoved in the back. His timing for headers is superb and certainly not something he can be critisised for. I don't know what it is but people like to try and find faults in everything McShane does. His style of play makes him look like a headless chicken but he's far from that and will be class when he hits his peak imo.


Defo Agreed.. I'd prefer if Sunderland had a bit of depth though cos for a couple of games there I felt he needed to be taken out of the firing line for a bit, just a game or two much like with Gordon. Not quite dropped, but we forget how young he is and increased expsosure at such a young age can be counter productive when things aren't going well. And as you said, people hyper analysing any faults can't be good for his development.

I firmly believe though he brings something to a team beyond his footballing contributions. That level of commitment is infectious and forces other arguably more senior players to look at themselves and raise there game to suit.

[tetsujin1979]

Irish Abroad for Saturday, 29th December 2007: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/dateDetails.xquery?seasonID=137&date=2007-12-29
Joey O'Brien starts his first game in 2 months
Daryl Murphy gets his first goal of the season
John O'Shea continues being introduced as a sub away from home
Paddy McCarthy scores his first of the season (he scored twice last season)
Martin Rowlands doubles his goal tally for the season
Ian Morris has started 4 games in a row, before that he had only 2 substitute appearances
Barry Corr has scored 4 goals in 3 games
Gary Dempsey scored his first of the season
Adam Rooney gets his sixth
Aiden McGeady scored his seventh of the season, 6 of which were at home
Noel Hunt is up to 12 goals for the season

Irish Abroad for Sunday, 30th December 2007: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/dateDetails.xquery?seasonID=137&date=2007-12-30
Jon Macken makes his first Premiership appearance since the opening day of the season
Steve Finnan completes 2 games in a row for the first time since the end of October

December statistics: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/december.xquery
Lee Carsley started more wins than any other midfielder, he also started and completed more games than any other player
Graham Barrett and Caleb Folan started more home wins than any other striker, but Folan didn't start a single away win
Despite his recent reported good form, Sean St Ledger started more losses than any other defender
Despite his scoring streak, Clinton Morrison was substituted more than any other striker
Unsurprisingly, John O'Shea was introduced from the bench more time than any other defender
Shane Long was introduced from the bench more than any striker for the second month running
Shane Supple and Darren Randolph were unused substitutes more than any other player, both have been the "winners" of this accolade for three months in a row :(
Only one defender scored in December - Paddy McCarthy
Aiden McGeady scored more home goals than any other player, while Noel Hunt topped the away scoring charts
McGeady, Hunt, Robbie Keane and Clinton Morrison all tied for top scorer in December
Curiously enough, no striker scored a penalty away from home in December (well, as curious as these things get)
Glen Whelan was booked at home more times than any other player
Crystal Palace never lost a game Clinton Morrison scored in, and won every away game he scored in

Seeing as how it's the half way mark in the season, here's the combined statistics for the season to the end of December: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/halfWayReport.xquery
Lee Carsley has started more wins than any other player
Aiden McGeady, Owen Garvan, Alan Lee and Jonathan Walters have all started more home wins than any other player. The 3 Ipswich players have yet to start an away win though
Mark Yeates has started more draws than any other player
Glen Whelan has comfortably started more losses than any other player
As a corollary to their home wins, Alan Lee and Jonathan Walters have started more away losses than any other player
Michael Doyle and Stephen McPhail have started more games than any other players. Although, the top starting players in all positions are Championship players, simple because they play more games
Similarly Michael Doyle has completed more full games than any other player
Lee Trundle, Alan Lee and (surprisingly) Robbie Keane have been substituted more than any other player
Unsurprisingly, John O'Shea has been introduced from the bench more than any other defender. Alan O'Brien ties his record exactly for most introductions
Darren Randolph has been an unused substitute more than any other player. Darren O'Dea probably has more to be concerned about, he's been an unused substitute 21 times, more than twice that of any other outfield player
Robbie Keane is the top scorer overall, but the top penalty taker is a tie between Andy Reid and Wes Hoolahan
Glen Whelan has been booked more times than any player. Aiden McGeady and Martin Rowlands have more away bookings than any other player
Crystal Palace have not lost a game Clinton Morrison has scored in, and have won every away game, Jon Macken hasn't scored in a winning game yet

[DmanDmythDledge]

John O'Shea continues being introduced as a sub away from home

Darren O'Dea probably has more to be concerned about, he's been an unused substitute 21 times, more than twice that of any other outfield player.
As a makeshift centre forward!

I wouldn't be too concerned about O'Dea being an unused sub- centre backs are rarely substituted. It's the amount of games he's played that matters.

[tetsujin1979]

I'd just like to make it clear that the monthly statistics round ups I've done are only for players based on the Premiership, Championship and Scottish Premiership. Even when the site was just updates on the forum from game to game, it was always with the intention that the information would be used to back up opinions about who should be in Ireland squads, and who should be excluded. I do like to back up my opinions with facts ;) With all due respect to players in League 1, League 2 and the Scottish First Division, they are unlikely to be in any squads, so they are excluded from the round up for this reason. Also, with the amount of extra players in the divisions, it takes the round ups longer to compile, and makes them even harder to read and analyse. If there's enough of a demand, I'll include them in future round ups. If only one or two people are interested, I'll make them available on request.

[Stuttgart88]

He scored a beauty on his debut against Sheff Weds a couple of weeks back. Nearly scored after 20 mins against Sheff United but Kenny made a good save and Scannel rushed the rebound and sent it widly wide.

He reminded me of young Liam George - physical apperaance and physique, maybe a bit taller, and both busy mobile players.

[OwlsFan]

He scored a beauty on his debut against Sheff Weds a couple of weeks back.


Correct :mad:

[Stuttgart88]

I thought Daryl Murphy's goal was well taken actually. Another 10 a season required to take him seriously though.

[tetsujin1979]

From football365's rumours today: http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8671_3012855,00.html

Leicester owner Milan Mandaric is close to splashing out £3million on Derby striker Steve Howard, Martin Fulop, Graham Kavanagh and Tony Capaldi...QPR hope to sign Luton goalkeeper Dean Brill this week

[eirebhoy]

Liam Lawrence seems to be having an excellent season. 8 goals and 12 assists in 24 games so far. Only Fabregas has more assists in England.

[Stuttgart88]

Manchester City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson is lining up a £2m swoop for Crystal Palace's 17-year-old winger Sean Scanell. (The Sun)

(I'm not sure he's actually a winger but that's what the BBC gossip column says).

[tetsujin1979]

From http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml;jsessionid=VYARCOCJSKDCTQFIQMFCFF4AVCBQ YIV0?xml=/sport/football/transfers/sfntra102a.xml

Though a left-back and a midfielder remain priorities, Ipswich striker Jonathan Walters is being tracked by Steve Bruce. The 24-year-old was previously with Chester.

[youngirish]

City eye £2m move for Irish teen


January 2, 2008

Manchester City manager Sven Goran Eriksson is reportedly keen on making a big-money January move for Crystal Palace’s Irish youth international star Sean Scannell.

Scannell has made just seven first-team appearances for Neil Warnock’s side, scoring his first senior goal against Sheffield Wednesday before Christmas.

And the form of the London-born 17-year-old has alerted City boss Eriksson, according to media reports in the UK.

A measure of Scannell’s youth can be gauged from the fact that he was not born until two months AFTER Jack Charlton’s Irish heroes reached the last eight of Italia ’90.

[robbie_B]

Sean's brother Damian has signed for Southend United from non-league Eastleigh.

http://www.southendunited.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10444~1203396,00.html

[eirebhoy]

For the 2nd game in a row Dunne got the 3 bonus points in the fantasy football. After getting 2 bonus points a few days ago McShane got 3 against Blackburn tonight. Other than the penalty, Blackburn didn't have a shot on target so credit to the Sunderland defence.

[gustavo]

He's on great form :d helped my FF team to get 74 points this week, still only 4th in foot.ie league though

[tetsujin1979]

Irish Abroad for Tuesday, 1st January 2008: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/dateDetails.xquery?seasonID=137&date=2008-01-01
Eddie Nolan starts another loss away from home
Swansea have yet to lose a game Thomas Butler scores in
Keith Andrews scored his 11th of the season, not bad for a midfielder

Irish Abroad for Wednesday, 2nd January 2008: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/dateDetails.xquery?seasonID=137&date=2008-01-02
Keith Treacy on the bench for Blackburn, no sign of Steven Reid
Noel Hunt grabs his 13th of the season, he's scored more than twice as many at home as away from home
Stephen Bradley returns the SPL. Well, the Falkirk bench anyway

Fixed a few minor cosmetic errors on the site that had been bugging me
I changed the team details pages a little, when you select a team now, the starting players and substitutes are listed next to each game. For teams with a large Irish contingent (Wolves, Sunderland, etc) this can get a little confusing, so I've added a highlight option for each player so you easily can see whether or not he played. The highlight colours are awful though, so that's the next thing to fix

Damian Scannell will be in the next update after the weekend's fixtures. I found this online while I was searching for his date of birth: http://www.rivals.net/news/pgArticle.aspx?artid=2483_2996402
Looks like a decent lower league player, but has a bit of a temper

[Deckydee]

From Sky Sports a couple of weeks ago:

Sky Sports/Graeme Bailey - Eight eye R's starlet
Premier League sides battle for R's youngster

Up to eight Premier League clubs are looking to lure Queens Park Rangers starlet Liam O'Brien away from Loftus Road, skysports.com understands.
The 16-year-old goalkeeper is already playing for the club's Under 18s and has made his debut for the reserves, and is rated by many as one of the brightest talents for his age in the country.

Scouts have been alerted to O'Brien - who is still on schoolboy terms at the club having rejected the chance to sign scholarship forms.
The likes of Arsenal, Aston Villa, Portsmouth, Manchester United and Newcastle are believed to be amongst those showing an interest in O'Brien.
QPR know they face a real battle to keep O'Brien and realise if he did leave he could do so at the end of the season with only minimal compensation due to the Championship club.

My question is, with a name like O'Brien, surely there are some Irish links?

[MojoPin]

what is it with this forum that every young english lad that shows any bit of promise is linked with being irish,

he may be from ireland but in recent weeks the amount of these promising lads has been massive

[tetsujin1979]

who the hell cares what nationality a 16 year old is, If he's still top of his age group in 5 years time then it's time to look into him but chances are this'll be the first and last time everyone in this topic will ever hear about him.
On the other hand, if we don't approach him now, in 5 years, when we do approach him, people will complain about not approaching him 5 years ago, and why didn't he declare for Ireland, and so on, and Kevin Nolan, and so on

[eirebhoy]

Is there still any chance of Willo Flood making it?


Willo Flood to Celtic in the summer is a definite possibility (if anybody wants to sig this, feel free. My source is a close relative of the player). Loads of potential but fell by the wayside. Hows he doing at Dundee Utd?

A mate of mine who is a Dundee Utd fan assures me that he's 'world class' :D

[theworm2345]

Anyone know what happened to the 3 Quinn brothers who were supposed to be so good for us when Sheffield United were in the EPL?

[Stuttgart88]

Stephen is a regular in our U21 team and still plays regularly enough for Sheff United. I haven't noticed Alan getting many games recently and Keith is still to make a real breakthrough afaik.

Tetsujin's stats site should be able to tell you more, or soccerc who knows them personally.

[tetsujin1979]

Is there still any chance of Willo Flood making it?
Willo Flood to Celtic in the summer is a definite possibility (if anybody wants to sig this, feel free. My source is a close relative of the player). Loads of potential but fell by the wayside. Hows he doing at Dundee Utd?


A mate of mine who is a Dundee Utd fan assures me that he's 'world class'
If that were true, would that mean that Strachan is resigned to losing one of McGeady or Nakamura? Surely he couldn't play all 3 in the same midfield? It would be far too lightweight

[eirebhoy]

I wouldn't read too much into it tbh but if he was bought it would just be as backup or some sort of alternative. Celtic have no real winger in the squad.

[ofjames]

willo flood has found his level in the spl. he doesnt have the tricks or pace to make up for what he lacks in terms of physique. he's not nearly good enough for a club of celtics stature


also, did anyone notice keith treacy started for blackburn against coventry today??? looks to be on the cusp of a breakthrough.

[eirebhoy]

I think Flood should maybe stick to right back for a while. Instead of being a winger who likes to get stuck in he could be a defender who likes to get forward. :)

[tetsujin1979]

Irish Abroad for Saturday, 5th January 2008: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/dateDetails.xquery?seasonID=137&date=2008-01-05
Alan O'Brien starts his first game since November, but he's been a regularly introduced substitute
Some pass from Stephen Quinn for Sheffield United's winner, but I reckon Bolton weren't too bothered

also, did anyone notice keith treacy started for blackburn against coventry today??? looks to be on the cusp of a breakthrough.
He was a substitute last week against Sunderland, the Coventry game was his first start for Blackburn. With them out of both cups, I don't really see him starting many games for the rest of the season.

I think Flood should maybe stick to right back for a while. Instead of being a winger who likes to get stuck in he could be a defender who likes to get forward. :)
He played right back for City a few times as well, but was mainly used on the right wing when he did play

[Stuttgart88]

I didn't see Stephen Quinn's pass but the Sunday Telegraph gave him Man of the Match. They also gave Jay Tabb Man of the Match.

[tetsujin1979]

I didn't see Stephen Quinn's pass but the Sunday Telegraph gave him Man of the Match. They also gave Jay Tabb Man of the Match.
Check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39DXqhhvvAA
Pass comes on about the 25 second mark

[tetsujin1979]

According to today's Irish Independent, David Bell has been linked with West Brom for about 500,000. Article is not online though.

[NeilMcD]

Impressed with young Keith Keane for Luton against Liverpool, having a very good game.

[tetsujin1979]

Irish Abroad for Sunday, 6th of January 2008: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/dateDetails.xquery?seasonID=137&date=2008-01-06
Despite few games, there was still a fair representation of Irish players

[eirebhoy]

McShane was apparently excellent today against Bolton. No surprise it was against a target man in Kevin Davies. Anyway, the BBC still make stuff up saying the ball hit McShane's arm for the goal. The ball didn't touch him. He was shoved in the back. His timing for headers is superb and certainly not something he can be critisised for. I don't know what it is but people like to try and find faults in everything McShane does. His style of play makes him look like a headless chicken but he's far from that and will be class when he hits his peak imo.
And this continues. From todays English Independent:

"Around £2.5m of that went on Paul McShane, but no one before yesterday was arguing it was money well spent.

Afterwards, no one would have dared. McShane was part of a defence that failed to pick up Paul Scharner in the 19th minute and then scored a comical own goal 11 minutes into the second half. "

Some papers called the first goal a mix up between McShane and Nosworthy. McShane was marking his own player the whole time. Nosworthy was supposed to be marking the goalscorer. McShane gave out to Nosworthy after the goal so the papers call it a mix up.

The own goal. Absolutely no fault to McShane at all, just unfortunate. The Indo say McShane got the ball first but if you watch it closely Agahowa actually gets to the ball slightly earlier and pushes it into McShane's path:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjZaxfUr_aQ

There was nothing he could really do there. He still comes out of the game with more bad rep.

[bohsRap]

And this continues. From todays English Independent:

"Around £2.5m of that went on Paul McShane, but no one before yesterday was arguing it was money well spent.

Afterwards, no one would have dared. McShane was part of a defence that failed to pick up Paul Scharner in the 19th minute and then scored a comical own goal 11 minutes into the second half. "

Some papers called the first goal a mix up between McShane and Nosworthy. McShane was marking his own player the whole time. Nosworthy was supposed to be marking the goalscorer. McShane gave out to Nosworthy after the goal so the papers call it a mix up.

The own goal. Absolutely no fault to McShane at all, just unfortunate. The Indo say McShane got the ball first but if you watch it closely Agahowa actually gets to the ball slightly earlier and pushes it into McShane's path:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjZaxfUr_aQ

There was nothing he could really do there. He still comes out of the game with more bad rep.

Dead right about them goals eirebhoy. If anything the second was Evan's fault for losing possession. I hope you're right about McShane though. He has serious commitment but I fear his pace and knowledge let him down. No doubt he'll improve and as a just turned 22 year old he's doing a good job at centre half.

[Stuttgart88]

Did Joey O'Brien play central midfield on Saturday?

[tetsujin1979]

From today's football365 rumours: http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8671_3028382,00.html

Leicester are making a £1.5million swoop for 11-goal MK Dons midfielder Keith Andrews...Stephen Hunt has given Reading a transfer-window headache by refusing to rule out leaving the club for Sunderland...Plymouth boss Paul Sturrock is going back to old club Sheffield Wednesday with a bid to buy midfield general Glenn Whelan...Andrews to Leicester is interesting considering Wolves let him go only a few seasons ago
I still can't see Hunt going to Sunderland, he's playing regularly in a better side further up the table
Under Sturrock, Whelan went from the transfer list to player of the season in the same season. He brought Coughlan to Wednesday as well after working with him previously at Plymouth, so he has a record of working with the same players

[Deckydee]

who the hell cares what nationality a 16 year old is, If he's still top of his age group in 5 years time then it's time to look into him but chances are this'll be the first and last time everyone in this topic will ever hear about him.

Would we say the same about Wayne Rooney?

[eirebhoy]

Did Joey O'Brien play central midfield on Saturday?
Yeh I think so. Nicky Hunt played right back but went off at half time. Maybe O'Brien moved back to right back then.

[Dr. Ogba]

From today's football365 rumours: http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8671_3028382,00.html
Andrews to Leicester is interesting considering Wolves let him go only a few seasons ago
I still can't see Hunt going to Sunderland, he's playing regularly in a better side further up the table
Under Sturrock, Whelan went from the transfer list to player of the season in the same season. He brought Coughlan to Wednesday as well after working with him previously at Plymouth, so he has a record of working with the same players

Andrews is a funny sort, can't believe that he's scored 11 goals this season. Having seen him a few times at Wolves I remember thinking he was more of a Carsley type player and was always sitting back when Wolves were attacking. Has he sort of "reinvented himself" (for want of a better term!) as an attacking midfielder or something?

[OwlsFan]

Under Sturrock, Whelan went from the transfer list to player of the season in the same season. He brought Coughlan to Wednesday as well after working with him previously at Plymouth, so he has a record of working with the same players

Whelan is playing well under Laws. It's just that his contract is up at the end of the season so the Owls may try and cash in on a sale of the player before he goes for nought. They don't actually want to get rid of him.

[tetsujin1979]

From today's transfer rumours on football365: http://www.football365.com/story/0,17033,8671_3030238,00.html

Roy Keane is poised to act on his threat to shake up Sunderland with a £6million double swoop for Reading's Stephen Hunt and Leroy Lita...Wolves manager Mick McCarthy has told close friends he would jump at the chance of returning to managing the Republic of Ireland...Everton are lining up a £600,000 swoop for Ipswich striker Danny Haynes...Leicester manager Ian Holloway is ready to fight off late competition from Watford to sign Graham Kavanagh...David Norris could be stuck at Plymouth as Argyle want £1million for him - after they have given 50% of any fee to his former club Bolton...Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill is considering a move for Reading striker Kevin DoyleThe Doyle to Villa rumour is interesting, O'Neill is known to be looking for a striker, and many here have compared Doyle to Larsson (ok, just stutts). Although I reckon O'Neill will probably go for Defoe now he has been told he can leave Spurs.
I included the Danny Haynes rumour because if it went through, it would mean more chances for Billy Clarke to stake a claim for a starting position