Irish Abroad 2007/2008

[Stuttgart88]

I hear he's been playing well, plenty of assists. Apparently his crossing has led to a few goals too. He'll have his chance in the B game.

[paul_oshea]

i think this was a more specific question as to problems re the Ireland team, not actually how well the players were doing....thats why i didnt post it in here initially.

[Stuttgart88]

I agree, I think there was a specific purpose to the questions, not just a "who's doing ok in UK?" angle.

[Wolfie]

i think this was a more specific question as to problems re the Ireland team, not actually how well the players were doing....thats why i didnt post it in here initially.

No top class left full (when Finnan is played in his proper position), no international standard central mid-field whatsoever, right side of midfield has no consistent incumbent, missing a "poaching" striker who will score regularly ................... its all very depressing. :(

[paul_oshea]

No top class left full (when Finnan is played in his proper position), no international standard central mid-field whatsoever, right side of midfield has no consistent incumbent, missing a "poaching" striker who will score regularly ................... its all very depressing. :(

I see, what you are saying, however if you are strong down the center ( which we are - realtively mind ) it can counteract ( balance if you like ) the weaker positions outwide, the ball on most occassions comes through the centre. SO bar our relative weaknesses in these areas ( some key ) I still feel we are strong overall to countenance this. Your point above central midfield though is valid, I really think this, during kerrs reign as well was the root of our problem. Just look at our competitive matches ( bar the cyprus gaf ) we didnt concede that many goals per game. A good holding/defensive midfielder or simply a midfielder who is capable of winning the ball back and laying off a decent pass is key to letting more attack minded players get on with what they do best - attacking and free flowing football. We have lacked a space between that area and the forwards, which is consistenly evident with keane running round like an autistic child in a playground. Remember a young keane, he was a lot more box oriented, just like a young whipper snapper on a night out full of V and RB ;)

[Bungle]

In my opinion, we have three world class players (Finnan,Given and Dunne) and one player who was previously world class (Duff). Robbie is a top premiership player but I'd be loathe to say he's world class, or anywhere near it.

Imo S.Ireland has the potential to be world class. However, he is the only truly standout outstanding young player we have at the moment. In the past, we always maybe had about 3 of those type of young players.

However, there does appear to be a huge amount of young irish players bubbling under in the championship and I am quite excited that a few of them like Garvan, McCann and Sheehan can become very decent international players or maybe end up as similar to Steve Finnan, who didn't get his chance at the top level until he was about 23.

[jmurphyc]

I really don't think Ireland has the potential to be world class. He has the potential to be very, very good but I doubt he'll be one of the top players in the world. As other people have said he's been fairly anonymous for us in most games aside from the goals. On a side note, I don't like the term world class - it's thrown about way too much and it's very difficult to actually define.

[eirebhoy]

Very encouraging that McShane started at centre half today with Nosworthy at right back. Nosworthy's gone off injured and they've put Harte out to right back. McShane's never a right back in a million years, glad Keane has copped on. ;)

[Supreme feet]

I don't know why Harte hasn't been called up recently, especially given the absence of any other natural left-back. He's been solid in his last two games, looks confident and made a great tackle on Milner today, despite being out of position. Surely a better option than playing Kelly, Kilbane or Finnan out of position?

[NeilMcD]

I see walters scored .

[Irish_Praha]

I really don't think Ireland has the potential to be world class. He has the potential to be very, very good but I doubt he'll be one of the top players in the world. As other people have said he's been fairly anonymous for us in most games aside from the goals. On a side note, I don't like the term world class - it's thrown about way too much and it's very difficult to actually define.

For some people the term world-class means that a player is the best player in the world in his position and would make it into the starting 11 of any club or (if nationality wasn't an issue) international team in the world.

That's very debatable and there would be many different opinions on who is actually the best player for one particular position and would mean at any given time there are only 11 world class players on the planet. IMO a player should be considered to be world class if he is considered to be in the top 5 or maybe even 10 players in the world in his position.

[eirebhoy]

For some people the term world-class means that a player is the best player in the world in his position and would make it into the starting 11 of any club or (if nationality wasn't an issue) international team in the world.

That's very debatable and there would be many different opinions on who is actually the best player for one particular position and would mean at any given time there are only 11 world class players on the planet. IMO a player should be considered to be world class if he is considered to be in the top 5 or maybe even 10 players in the world in his position.
Definitely agree. Have a look at this list:
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=54384658&postcount=32

That's a load of players that would be in the world class bracket. Henry, Juninho and many other superb players aren't there either...

[danonion]

Calling Rio Ferdinand a libero (or anything other than a prolific scorer of own goals) is an insult to the great Italian sweepers of the last few generations of footballers.

[tetsujin1979]

Irish Abroad for Friday, 9th November 2007: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/dateDetails.xquery?seasonID=137&date=2007-11-09
Irish Abroad for Saturday, 10th November 2007: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/dateDetails.xquery?seasonID=137&date=2007-11-10
Clinton's 100th goal for Palace
Irish Abroad for Sunday, 11th November 2007: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/dateDetails.xquery?seasonID=137&date=2007-11-11

[shakermaker1982]

Calling Rio Ferdinand a libero (or anything other than a prolific scorer of own goals) is an insult to the great Italian sweepers of the last few generations of footballers.

and putting John Terry in the top 5 centre half also makes it null and void IMO.

[Dr. Ogba]

and putting John Terry in the top 5 centre half also makes it null and void IMO.


quite a few dodgy ones in that list imho....Gerrard top 5 attacking mid??? Kanoute one of the best strikers in the world??? laughable...

[eirebhoy]

Dunne got the man of the match award in the fantasy football again yesterday. They love him on that. :)

As for the list that I posted, the best I've ever seen tbh. There's always a few you'll disagree with. I don't think Gerrard should be in that category at all tbh, he's a box to box player.

[Stuttgart88]

From bbc.co.uk football gossip:

Bolton want Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Glenn Whelan. (Daily Star)

[Supreme feet]

From bbc.co.uk football gossip:

Bolton want Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Glenn Whelan. (Daily Star)

Hope so. We've a lot of central midfield players playing in the Championship, and we need a few of them to make the step up. We can go on about potential, and the likes of Garvan, McCann and Potter playing well for second-tier clubs, but they'll only play at a higher level if they really deserve it. Whelan's at the age now where he should be looking to establish himself, though I fear that if he goes to Bolton, he may still find himself in the Championship next year.

[Wolfie]

Hope so. We've a lot of central midfield players playing in the Championship, and we need a few of them to make the step up. We can go on about potential, and the likes of Garvan, McCann and Potter playing well for second-tier clubs, but they'll only play at a higher level if they really deserve it. Whelan's at the age now where he should be looking to establish himself, though I fear that if he goes to Bolton, he may still find himself in the Championship next year.

I hope the fate of being converted to a full back doesn't befall him.

[RiffRaff]

I hope the fate of being converted to a full back doesn't befall him.

the papers yesterday were linking Joey O'Brien with a move to Sheff utd in January

[OwlsFan]

Hope so. We've a lot of central midfield players playing in the Championship, and we need a few of them to make the step up. We can go on about potential, and the likes of Garvan, McCann and Potter playing well for second-tier clubs, but they'll only play at a higher level if they really deserve it. Whelan's at the age now where he should be looking to establish himself, though I fear that if he goes to Bolton, he may still find himself in the Championship next year.

Hope not. Better to prosper with a decent club on the up ;) than drop back to the Championship with a club in decline. He will never be a top international player I am afraid. He's in the Liam Miller category but not quite as good. Remember he was let go by Man City.

[tetsujin1979]

Remember he was let go by Man City.
He wasn't released, his contract expired, and since Keegan couldn't guarantee him first team football, he left.

[tetsujin1979]

Irish Abroad for Monday, 12th November 2007: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/dateDetails.xquery?seasonID=137&date=2007-11-12

[dr_peepee]

He wasn't released, his contract expired, and since Keegan couldn't guarantee him first team football, he left.

Was that not Elliot?? Or was it both??

[tetsujin1979]

Was that not Elliot?? Or was it both??
Both left Man City under similar circumstances, no guarantee of first team football, but I'm not sure if Elliot's contract had expired. There was a transfer fee, decided by a tribunal, so I don't think so.

[Stuttgart88]

The Examiner says that Duff is 2 weeks away from a return.

[dr_peepee]

Both left Man City under similar circumstances, no guarantee of first team football, but I'm not sure if Elliot's contract had expired. There was a transfer fee, decided by a tribunal, so I don't think so.


If you're under 23 and you leave when your contract expires there's a fee involved, set by tribunal..... (I think. I'm no EG when it come to recalling frames of references)

[dr_peepee]

The Examiner says that Duff is 2 weeks away from a return.

Will we ever see the real Duffer again? I never saw the likes of Brady, and I obviously remember McGrath and Keane, but I've never enjoyed watching a player as much as Duff circa '02... Quality!!

[OwlsFan]

He wasn't released, his contract expired, and since Keegan couldn't guarantee him first team football, he left.

You sound like my brother many years ago when he was talking about a friend of his being kicked out of a school. I said, "so he was expelled?". "No", he replied, "he was asked to leave".

Semantics. He was let go by City because he wasn't 1st team quality in their opinion.

[tetsujin1979]

You sound like my brother many years ago when he was talking about a friend of his being kicked out of a school. I said, "so he was expelled?". "No", he replied, "he was asked to leave".

Semantics. He was let go by City because he wasn't 1st team quality in their opinion.
AFAIK he was offered a new contract by City, but he rejected it because they couldn't guarantee him first team football. I still wouldn't say they released him, he left on his own terms.

[youngirish]

If you're under 23 and you leave when your contract expires there's a fee involved, set by tribunal..... (I think. I'm no EG when it come to recalling frames of references)

This is true. Coventry currently are negotiating a fee for Best even though his contract had expired when he moved from Southampton.

[DmanDmythDledge]

If you're under 23 and you leave when your contract expires there's a fee involved, set by tribunal..... (I think. I'm no EG when it come to recalling frames of references)
There's only a fee if the club offers to extend the player's contract.

[tetsujin1979]

Conor Hourihane is in the Sunderland squad to face Falkirk in a testimonial: http://www.safc.com/home/?page_id=13599

[tetsujin1979]

Roy O'Donovan scored both goals in Andy Lawrie's testimonial between Sunderland and Falkirk, the game finishing 1-1. Liam Craig was awarded Falkirk's opener, but it took a deflection off O'Donovan.
Roy O'Donovan, Graham Kavanagh and David Connolly all started for Sunderland, Conor Hourihane came on as a second half substitute.
Patrick Cregg, and Graham Barrett played the full 90 minutes for Falkirk.

Falkirk review: http://www.falkirkfc.co.uk/falkirk-news/falkirk-1-sunderland-1.html
Sunderland review: http://www.safc.com/news/?page_id=13614

[tetsujin1979]

According to an internet rumour (and we know how reliable they are) Man City scout Joe Barnes has been taking in every Celtic game this season to watch Aiden McGeady, despite being told he's not for sale.

[gustavo]

quite a few dodgy ones in that list imho....Gerrard top 5 attacking mid??? Kanoute one of the best strikers in the world??? laughable...
The man is consistently one of the top scorers in the best league in the world , makes a good case for himself.

[kdjaC]

Thornton subbed with hamstring injury got an assit before that.
O Callaghan is on fire and also got an assist.


kdjac

[DmanDmythDledge]

According to an internet rumour (and we know how reliable they are) Man City scout Joe Barnes has been taking in every Celtic game this season to watch Aiden McGeady, despite being told he's not for sale.
Presumably to fill the right midfield spot that Stephen Ireland currently occupies.

[tetsujin1979]

Richard Keogh is the latest Ireland player to have an icons.com diary: http://www.icons.com/keogh/

[pateen]

Roy O'Donovan scored both goals in Andy Lawrie's testimonial between Sunderland and Falkirk, the game finishing 1-1. Liam Craig was awarded Falkirk's opener, but it took a deflection off O'Donovan.
Roy O'Donovan, Graham Kavanagh and David Connolly all started for Sunderland, Conor Hourihane came on as a second half substitute.
Patrick Cregg, and Graham Barrett played the full 90 minutes for Falkirk.

Falkirk review: http://www.falkirkfc.co.uk/falkirk-news/falkirk-1-sunderland-1.html
Sunderland review: http://www.safc.com/news/?page_id=13614

Roy O'Donovan scored both goals, the game finishing 1-1 ;) :D

Liam Craig was awarded Falkirk's opener, Patrick Cregg, and Graham Barrett played the full 90 minutes for Falkirk

:rolleyes:

[tetsujin1979]

Karl Moore scored both goals for Man City reserves in their 2-1 win over Oldham Athletic reserves last night. There was a strong Irish contingent to the City team with Garry Breen, Michael Daly, Paul Marshall and Karl Moore all starting.
Man City review: http://www.mcfc.co.uk/default.sps?pagegid={DBD12D53-8346-431D-A04F-5D0F8664DE80}&newsid=509432
Oldham review: http://www.oldhamathletic.premiumtv.co.uk/page/ReserveArt/0,,10337~1173003,00.html (http://www.oldhamathletic.premiumtv.co.uk/page/ReserveArt/0,,10337%7E1173003,00.html)

[tetsujin1979]

Eddie Nolan is going on loan to Hartlepool until December 22nd:
Blackburn report: http://www.rovers.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10303~1173536,00.html
Hartlepool report: http://www.hartlepoolunited.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10326~1173529,00.html

Billy Dennehy is going on loan to Accrington Stanley until January 1st
Sunderland report: http://www.safc.com/news/?page_id=13643
Short mention on Accrington's official site: http://www.accringtonstanley.co.uk/index.php

Alan Power is going on loan to Grays Athletic until 1st January 2008
Nottingham Forst report: http://www.nottinghamforest.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10308~1173604,00.html

[Closed Account]

Marc Wilson has gone on loan to Luton Town
Portsmouth report: http://www.portsmouthfc.co.uk/index.php?cms_ref=home&goto=news&qs_article_id=631
Luton report: http://www.lutontown.premiumtv.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10372~36312,00.html
Kieron Murphy has gone on loan to Crawley Town

[eirebhoy]

Manchester United defender John O'Shea has signed a three-year extension to his current contract.

The new deal means the 26-year-old Republic of Ireland international will remain at the club until 2012.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/7109165.stm

[theworm2345]

Sunderland are down 6-1 in the 83rd, I'd say Roy may be out sooner than we may think

A funny quote from the Sunderland vs Everton page on SAFC.com

There was the surreal sight of a giant pair of plastic testicles on the pitch before the game - promoting testicular cancer awareness. He is called Mr Testicle!
http://www.safc.com/match/?page_id=13662&page=2&t=3

[danonion]

Morrison scored two goals for Crystal Palace. Andy O'Brien on the pitch for 90 minutes in a 1-0 win over ManUtd.

Just perused a Bolton forum to check on O'Brien's performances, since I wouldn't voluntarily sit through 90 minutes of Bolton on the box - apparently his signing was greeted with disgust and he has managed to win his harshest critics over.

[tetsujin1979]

Steven Reid on the bench for Blackburn today.

[tetsujin1979]

Irish Abroad for Saturday, 24th November 2007: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/dateDetails.xquery?seasonID=137&date=2007-11-24
Eddie Nolan gets 90 minutes

Irish Abroad for Sunday, 25th November 2007: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroad/dateDetails.xquery?seasonID=137&date=2007-11-25
Welcome back, Steven Reid

[tetsujin1979]

Garry Breen, Paul Marshall and Karl Moore all started for Man City's reserves in their 3-2 loss to Liverpool's reservers. Michael Daly was introduced as a second half substitute.

Manchester City review: http://www.mcfc.co.uk/default.sps?pagegid={DBD12D53-8346-431D-A04F-5D0F8664DE80}&newsid=511006

No review on the Liverpool site, lineup available here: http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N157826071127-1430.htm
No Irish lads, unless Martin Kelly - http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/team/squad/kelly2/ - is eligible