Irish Abroad 2007/2008

[theworm2345]

I'd expect some comination of Connolly, O'Donovan, and John up front tomorrow for Sunderland (with Cole and the odd man out of the three on as subs depending on the scoreline). Kavanagh should be involved as well. I'd also expect to see either Connolly or O'Donovan (maybe not) sometime in the match against Man U this weekend as Murphy and Chopra doesn't seem to be working.

[tetsujin1979]

Sven on Stephen Ireland at the weekend: http://www.mcfc.co.uk/default.sps?pagegid={DBD12D53-8346-431D-A04F-5D0F8664DE80}&newsid=466625

Stephen Ireland returned to Saturday’s starting line-up after being forced to miss the derby through illness, and Sven confirmed that it was not injury that led to his substitution against Arsenal.

“It was not an injury, he had been sick and started training last Wednesday so he had some cramp, which is normal when you come back from sickness like he had had. Even so, I thought he did well.”

[dr_peepee]

I'd expect some comination of Connolly, O'Donovan, and John up front tomorrow for Sunderland (with Cole and the odd man out of the three on as subs depending on the scoreline). Kavanagh should be involved as well. I'd also expect to see either Connolly or O'Donovan (maybe not) sometime in the match against Man U this weekend as Murphy and Chopra doesn't seem to be working.

I just seen the first half of the Sunderland Liverpool match the other morning. Had to go to a wedding. Stokes and Chopra combined well a couple of times even though Stokes was effectively playing midfield, a factor that still wrecks my head. If Sunderland get a good footballing midfeilder in there I think Stokes and Chopra would do well together.

[theworm2345]

I just seen the first half of the Sunderland Liverpool match the other morning. Had to go to a wedding. Stokes and Chopra combined well a couple of times even though Stokes was effectively playing midfield, a factor that still wrecks my head. If Sunderland get a good footballing midfeilder in there I think Stokes and Chopra would do well together.
If Andy Reid comes in it will either mean Stokes is dropped or Stokes moves forward, I guess Danny Murphy and Darron Gibson are other targets. Stokes and Connolly did work well together the one time I saw them last season (though Stokes wouldn't look to pass, ever, to anyone) I believe but not as well as Murphy and Connolly (I think that was their best pairing, sometimes John was up there too)

[ofjames]

If Andy Reid comes in it will either mean Stokes is dropped or Stokes moves forward, I guess Danny Murphy and Darron Gibson are other targets. Stokes and Connolly did work well together the one time I saw them last season (though Stokes wouldn't look to pass, ever, to anyone) I believe but not as well as Murphy and Connolly (I think that was their best pairing, sometimes John was up there too)

Article on Gibson in the Sunday Times at the weekend quoted Darron as saying that Fergie wants to keep him at Old Trafford for the season. Apparently Fergie told him that a few clubs have inquired to get him on loan but that he wants him to be patient and take his chance when it comes. I would so love it for him to make it at united.


On an unrelated subject. Caleb Folan is the subject of interest from Hull City

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/h/hull_city/6967344.stm

[CraftyToePoke]

leicester v watford 4-1.

Clarke and Sheehan for leicester, Clarke had a solid game but at times he wasnt overly tested as the home side were very much on top. when on the ball, he had the confidence to pick out a pass along the surface to the feet of his teammates, even the tall centre forward who usually just gets it launched toward him. But Clarke was willing and able on a few occasions to play precise passes through the always crowded middle of the park and did so well, finding his shirt each time without giving it away.

he also tucked in impressively one time to intercept the striker on the 6 yard line as he was about to shoot after the opposing player had lost the centrehalf.he hacked it away with his right.

in the second half he had very little to do and was caught out a bit by a long diagonal ball over his left shoulder, it was in the air a long time and fell to the feet of his winger who stopped dead when it reached him and then knocked it past Clarke, who was level with him, and left him trailing in the chase for it, it resulted in an attempt on leicesters goal which a better player may have done better with. it was in the air long enough, i thought, for Clarke to get back a couple of more yards and the player would then have had a much harder job to get beyond him.

Alan Sheehan was impressive, playing on the left, when on halfway or thereabouts, he always found teammates with his passing, when he did misplace a couple, it was much higher up the pitch and when he was attempting more difficult final balls.

his workrate was faultless, at one point chasing back 50 yards to make a sliding challenge which the whole stadium rose to, one of those moments which raises a crowd as they watched him track the player, changing direction over and over, and then hitting him hard with a superb challenge, the ref deemed it to be from behind and booked Sheehan, but i was directly in line with it and it was a fine tackle, the ball was won cleanly and the player was not touched, the opposition didnt look for a free kick or complain at all, one of those moments when you feel some refs just dont get what the game is about.

his chasing also resulted, later on, in their defence being hassled into a hurried pass and giving it away, with Sheehan heavily challenged in the resulting 50/50, earning the watford player a yellow. He also headed clear from a set play, off his own goalline late in the game.

from the set plays, he drew a fine save in the first half, geting it up and down over the wall and scored in the second, this time blasting it, with the aid of a deflection to open his leicester account. he also hed 2 other goalbound efforts blocked in open play in the second half.

he was subbed with 5 to go to a standing ovation, and on sat leicesters left side looked and played like a left side should for the first time in 3 seasons, even better then that it was made up of Irishmen.

[tetsujin1979]

Nice report CTP, goals available here: http://www.football.virginmedia.com/page/championshipvideo/0,,12555~1099704,00.html

[theworm2345]

For some weird reason Keane is keeping Murphy and Chopra up front for the match against Luton (Who David Bell has scored for Luton, hes Irish I believe). You have 8 strikers and you keep starting the same 2 for a League Cup game. :confused: I was actually hoping he would save Connolly so we could see how he fares against Man U this weekend, but no reason for O'Donovan not to get a start.

[tetsujin1979]

Irish Abroad for Tuesday, 28th August: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/dateDetails.xquery?seasonID=137&date=2007-08-28
Sean Thornton, eh?

James McCarthy got the assist for Hamilton's winner.

[tetsujin1979]

According to Sky Sports News, Hull are interested in Caleb Folan

[theworm2345]

Sunderland have signed Kenwyne Jones, who is their 8th striker, though I believe John went to Soton in exchange

[SkStu]

O'Callaghan to Seagulls

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/b/brighton/6969368.stm

[livehead1]

Is he another 'top' EL player who it seems can't cut it at the 2nd level in England or was he just a run of the mill EL player?

[livehead1]

Sorry...4get that last bit, i've just read he was the best player in the EL in 2005 as he won player of the year...says alot for the league

[DmanDmythDledge]

Sorry...4get that last bit, i've just read he was the best player in the EL in 2005 as he won player of the year...says alot for the league
Also says alot about the league that Kevin Doyle scored 13 Premiership goals last season.

[livehead1]

Also says alot about the league that Kevin Doyle scored 13 Premiership goals last season.


Does it? Or does it say that we can produce some good footballers?


Im talking about the general standard of the league here

[ofjames]

shay given played the full 90 for newcastle in the carling cup tonight. great news!!

[tetsujin1979]

Irish Abroad for Wednesday, 29th August: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/dateDetails.xquery?seasonID=137&date=2007-08-29
Shay Given and Stephen Ireland both came through 90 minutes unscathed, although Ireland was down injured at one point. Seemed to be involved in all City's attacking moves, but still is a bit defensively suspect.

[ofjames]

curtis davies is on his way to villa. another obstacle placed in the way of Ste O'H

[DmanDmythDledge]

curtis davies is on his way to villa. another obstacle placed in the way of Ste O'H
No, he's a centre back. O'Hallaron's a full back.

[livehead1]

Where are all these people gone who were campaigning for Steve O'H to be in the national STARTING line up, on the evidence that he was now villa's number one left back due to O'Neill selling one or two and playing him there in a few pre season games...he can't even make the bench! lol

[Stuttgart88]

I wanted him tried as an option in Denmark on the basis that he did very well in the US and I expressed the hope that he'd get into Villa's first team, or at least I think I did.

[edit: actually I think what everyone said was that if he was playing for Villa he should be given time in Denmark. Since neither happened I don't think anyone suggested he plays in September]

[tetsujin1979]

Garry Breen, Paul Marshall, Karl Moore and Donal McDermott were all involved for Manchester City's Pontin's league side as they lost 2-1 to Morcambe: http://www.mcfc.co.uk/default.sps?pageid=115&pagegid=%7BDBD12D53%2D8346%2D431D%2DA04F%2D5D0F866 4DE80%7D&newsid=467236&siteid=&pageno=&newscategory=&frommonth=&fromyear=&tomonth=&toyear=
Squad available here: http://www.mcfc.co.uk/default.sps?pageid=115&pagegid=%7BDBD12D53%2D8346%2D431D%2DA04F%2D5D0F866 4DE80%7D&newsid=467151&siteid=&pageno=2&newscategory=&frommonth=&fromyear=&tomonth=&toyear=

One of the 2 Daly's at City (Ian and Michael) was involved as well, but the report doesn't specify which one

[livehead1]

I wanted him tried as an option in Denmark on the basis that he did very well in the US and I expressed the hope that he'd get into Villa's first team, or at least I think I did.

[edit: actually I think what everyone said was that if he was playing for Villa he should be given time in Denmark. Since neither happened I don't think anyone suggested he plays in September]

Yeh I see, i think many people sounded as if they were expecting him to be playing for villa, something which i never felt was likely.

[ofjames]

No, he's a centre back. O'Hallaron's a full back.

I was aware of that....

But in my view, given Villa's squad, the most likely way O'Halloran would have made the breakthrough to the Villa team would have been if a couple of their centre halves got injured (up until yesterday they only had 3 CB's....Mellberg, Cahill, Laursen) which would force O'Neill to shift Bouma inside, thus giving Ste his opportunity. Now with Knight signed and Davies on his way, that pathway into the Villa first team is well and truly BLOCKED!

I reckon if Bouma gets injured, Barry will be the man to deputise at LB, with someone else filling in in midfield.

Not looking good for Ste O'H at the moment. Loan move to championship could be his best option

[dr_peepee]

Good point.... But he's still young and it's a long season.

[eirebhoy]

I reckon if Bouma gets injured, Barry will be the man to deputise at LB, with someone else filling in in midfield.

Then there's no reason why that wouldn't have been the case if they didn't sign the 2 centre halfs.

[Paddy Garcia]

According to Sky Sports News, Hull are interested in Caleb Folan

1m today

[DmanDmythDledge]

I was aware of that....

But in my view, given Villa's squad, the most likely way O'Halloran would have made the breakthrough to the Villa team would have been if a couple of their centre halves got injured (up until yesterday they only had 3 CB's....Mellberg, Cahill, Laursen) which would force O'Neill to shift Bouma inside, thus giving Ste his opportunity. Now with Knight signed and Davies on his way, that pathway into the Villa first team is well and truly BLOCKED!

I reckon if Bouma gets injured, Barry will be the man to deputise at LB, with someone else filling in in midfield.
Good point, hadn't thought of it that way. I don't think O'Neill would move Barry from left mid as he is their best midfielder but it all comes down to how much faith he has in O'Halloran.

[ofjames]

Then there's no reason why that wouldn't have been the case if they didn't sign the 2 centre halfs.

Perhaps so, but I reckon the need for O'Neill to find a long-term solution at LB would have been more pressing if Knight & Davies hadnt been signed. Barry is a short term fix at LB. As Dman said, he's been their best player for a number of years playing in midfield. I doubt O'Neill would take him out of that role for anything longer than a couple of games.

Thus, before these signings, injuries/suspensions for a couple of Cahill, Laursen (always injured!) or Mellberg would have left the way clear for stephen. Now though, it looks like only a serious injury to bouma would open the way.

Whatever way I look at it, I reckon he's been pushed further away from the first team now.

I think we'll just have to wait and see and rely on the old football adage: if he's good enough he'll make it

[tetsujin1979]

Staunton is at the Wolves game today, according to Sky Sports Soccer Saturday.
Rory Delap and Liam Lawrence have lined out for Stoke, Foley, Breen, Stephen Ward (who has been booked) and Andy Keogh have started for Wolves, Elliott and Stack are on the bench

[Colbert Report]

This has got to be the worst day in EPL history for the Irish lads.

Kilbane sent off for Wigan, no Given or Carr for Newcastle.

Doyle misses a crucial penalty for Reading. Shane Long doesn't even get on the bench.

Stephen Kelly on the losing side against Middlesbrough.

Robbie Keane subbed off on 68 minutes for Spurs.

I hope Roy can turn it around at Old Trafford.

[Bottle of Tonic]

This has got to be the worst day in EPL history for the Irish lads.

Kilbane sent off for Wigan, no Given or Carr for Newcastle.

Doyle misses a crucial penalty for Reading. Shane Long doesn't even get on the bench.

Stephen Kelly on the losing side against Middlesbrough.

Robbie Keane subbed off on 68 minutes for Spurs.

I hope Roy can turn it around at Old Trafford.

McShane only Irish man on the pitch. Not even any Johno for UTD!!!
I don't watch much EPL but was looking forward to sitting down and seeing a few of Irelands Sunderland contingent when I saw this fixture was going to be on the box.
:(

[Stuttgart88]

Wayne Henderson misses Preston's game on TV with a back injury.

[tetsujin1979]

Irish Abroad for Saturday, 1st of September: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/dateDetails.xquery?seasonID=137&date=2007-09-01
Kevin Kilbane sent off. Cliff Byrne sent off. Derek Geary sent off.
What a day

<EDIT>
I've added a new statistics section, it's not finished yet, but you can see the work in progress here: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/august.xquery
All that's there at the moment is the stats for august, I'll either add a section for each month or keep an updated overall tracking

[Paddy Garcia]

John O'Toole at Watford - is he Irish ? Noticed he came on, on Saturday.

[Paddy Garcia]

Staunton is at the Wolves game today, according to Sky Sports Soccer Saturday.
Rory Delap and Liam Lawrence have lined out for Stoke, Foley, Breen, Stephen Ward (who has been booked) and Andy Keogh have started for Wolves, Elliott and Stack are on the bench

I don't think Stan knows Liam Lawrence qualifies!

[tetsujin1979]

John O'Toole at Watford - is he Irish ? Noticed he came on, on Saturday.
Not according to his wikipedia entry: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_O%27Toole_%28footballer%29
But (as with all wiki sources) this is by no means definitive


I don't think Stan knows Liam Lawrence qualifies!
Seeing as how Stan had Lawrence in his first squad against Sweden, I'm fairly sure he does.
From http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/internationals/4764816.stm

Rep of Ireland: Given (Henderson 48), Joey O'Brien (Miller 61), Andrew O'Brien, Dunne, Harte (Kilbane 61), Elliott (Kavanagh 48), Steven Reid, O'Shea (Ireland 48), Duff, Keane, Doyle (Morrison 68).
Subs Not Used: Breen, Douglas, Kelly, Lawrence

[tetsujin1979]

Irish Abroad for 2nd September, 2007: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/dateDetails.xquery?seasonID=137&date=2007-09-02

Can anybody confirm for me that Bobby Ryan was on the bench for Dunfermline against Haken midweek? According to the UEFA.com review - http://www.uefa.com/competitions/uefacup/fixturesresults/round=15117/match=301329/index.html - Barry Ryan was on the bench, but there's no Barry Ryan on Dunfermline's squad page - http://www.dafc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/Profiles/0,,10288,00.html

[Closed Account]

31/08/2007 Denis McLaughlin (http://www.footballtransfers.co.uk/squads/club3744.html#player19624) MF Hearts (http://www.footballtransfers.co.uk/squads/club718.html) (Sco) Gimnastica de Torrelavega (http://www.footballtransfers.co.uk/squads/club3744.html) (Spa) Loan ?

Interesting....

[Paddy Garcia]

Charlton are looking for Terry Dixon on loan

[youngirish]

Charlton are looking for Terry Dixon on loan

Source?

[tetsujin1979]

Source?
loadsa places, here's a Spurs fan site
http://tottenhamhotspur.rivals.net/default.asp?sid=897&p=2&stid=8455752

[co. down green]

Leeds midfielder Jonathan Douglas is a shock £400,000 target for League One rivals Walsall. (Daily Mirror)

[FarBeag]

Caleb Folan got a very serious head injury this evening playing for Hull against Blackpool. He was knocked out for up to ten minutes before been stretcher off, now in hospital having scans. Hope he is ok.

[tetsujin1979]

Irish Abroad for Monday, 3rd September 2007: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/dateDetails.xquery?seasonID=137&date=2007-09-03
Ben Burgess had an interesting 7 minutes!

[tetsujin1979]

Joey O'Brien came through 90 minutes for Bolton reserves in a 3-0 loss to Newcastle on monday night: http://www.bwfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/General/0,,1004~1105503,00.html

[CraftyToePoke]

plymouth v leicetser 0-0

Sheehan made the cut again, played on the left and moved to leftback on 51 mins.

OS report here:http://www.lcfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/MatchReport/0,,10274,00.html

[CraftyToePoke]

Conrad Logan seems to be doing well at Stockport, according to this report anyway, which has a bit of Irish interest in it, Dawson, Dicker etc

http://stockportcounty.rivals.net/default.asp?sid=1492&p=2&stid=8455725

[tetsujin1979]

Graham Stack's loan to Wolves extended until the end of the year: http://www.wolves.premiumtv.co.uk/page/News/0,,10307~1103681,00.html