Steven Reid

[Stuttgart88]

I agree. If we lose or even draw the Italy game I'll be sweating bricks for the next 4 days.

[dr_peepee]

Reid is a slow starter though when he comes back from extended periods out. He'll need half a dozen consectutive games at the very least.... (that's not to say that a half match fit Reid wouldn;t improve our squad. More about meeting our expectations of him)

[Stuttgart88]

Mid-November (if we have any games then) could be realistic I'd say. I think he'll need to have at lesat 3 or 4 full games under his belt at his club.

[geysir]

There is an amount of hope that he could be match fit in time for the play offs in mid Nov.

[Razors left peg]

Yeah Id go along with the thought of having him fit for the playoffs is the important thing after last nights result, Im confident with the lads we have there at moment we will get the 2 points we need

[irishfan86]

I was reading an ancient Chinese military document, and I couldn't help but make an association with how our midfield is following Trap's orders to the letter (how obsessed am I?): "Rigid applications of military theory will only result in defeat on the battlefield."

I think Steven Reid is the only midfielder we've got currently who knows when to adhere to Trap's tactics, and when to step outside them. He's the only one up for selection with the maturity, match intelligence, and personality to step outside his instructions when necessary.

[jbyrne]

I think Steven Reid is the only midfielder we've got currently who knows when to adhere to Trap's tactics, and when to step outside them. He's the only one up for selection with the maturity, match intelligence, and personality to step outside his instructions when necessary.

hes also been playing international football since 2001 and has the experience etc that goes with that. our current ctre mid options have been playing only a fraction of that and will learn

[Duggie]

ya reid is defo the best we have right now. but id like to see whelan take it on a bit more. hes aggressive, nice passer and a good shot, id like to see him stick to the plan but influence the game a bit more. i think he has the capabilities to do it.

[tetsujin1979]

weekend team news from Blackburn: http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/sep/11/premier-league-team-news

Steven Reid is still struggling with an ankle problem.

http://www.eatsleepsport.com/blackburn-rovers/allardyces-welcome-selection-dilemma-944680.html

Reid is still having treatment on an ankle problem.

[richieos]

wants to be involved in Italy game:

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_5563536,00.html

[Razors left peg]

Delighted to see comments like that from him. I had a nagging fear in the back of my mind that he would decide because of all the injuries he would retire from international football, and I dont think many could have disagreed with him if he did make that decision.Great to see such eagerness to get back into contention for a place in the squad

[seanfhear]

wants to be involved in Italy game:

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_5563536,00.html
If ever a player deserved some luck and some time injury free it must be Stephen. It is great to hear that a player that has had so many injuries is so keen to get back playing for his country. The man is a credit to his family, club and country:)

[NeilMcD]

Yeah always liked Stephen Reid. He is going to have little injuries here and there esp with hamstrings while coming back. Its all part of returning from a knee injury.

[dr_peepee]

Delighted to see comments like that from him. I had a nagging fear in the back of my mind that he would decide because of all the injuries he would retire from international football

yeah... It's probbly the opposite in his case. Absence might have given him a sense of perspective on how short or fragile a career in football is, so he's out to make the most of it for club and country.

[Murfinator]

""Hopefully I will get the call to come into the squad for the Italy game, but I need to get a couple of games for Blackburn first.""


Great to hear, I can think of nobody I'd rather called up on the squad than him. :)

[Crosby87]

Blackburn is definitely thinking, oh Jeez.

[NeilMcD]

of course they are, the guy has been injured for a long time. They are not a charity. Footballers are on big money they would be stupid to hand out a contract to him at the moment.

[geysir]

Of course he is no use if he is not playing for his club but I'd assume at least Blackburn fc have their players insured.

[NeilMcD]

I am sure they do but no insurance will cover a player how is injured when you sign the new contract. The insurance will cover this one as when he signed the contract he was not injured but if they offered him one now, they either would not get the insurance or the premium would be sky high.

[Murfinator]

It's actually interesting how Steven Reid has now become is perceived to be a "key" player for Ireland when he's only played very well in 2 games for us.

Under McCarthy he was a youngster who was up and coming and seemed like a top prospect.

Under Kerr he never really figured until the very, very end of the campaign when he was drafted in to try and save our chances from the bench.

Stan tried to give him a major role but some of his performances in the early days were quite poor for us, I remember the guy captaining us in that horrific defeat to Holland. Then the injuries started so he didn't have much more to do under stan.

Trap gave him another chance and arguably used him much better and the two competitive games he played were far and away his best performances in the green, both worthy of MOM showings if RTE weren't obsessed with newboy Whelan.

Still though it's fascinating how in 8 years he's still only racked up 22 caps and this is probably the first time in his career where he has a starting place on the irish team likely.

[Stuttgart88]

Interesting you say that Murfinator, and to a large extent you're corrrect in my opinion.

I first saw Reid in the flesh in 2001 when I went down to Millwall to see him & Richard sadlier play. He played on the right that day and played well. I next saw him play on TV for Millwall against Southampton in the FA Cup. Saints were a EPL team at the time. Reid played CM and was superb. It was only then that I learnt that this was his preferred position.

He was really only ever played on the right for Ireland under Mick. He scored on his debut I think, against Russia. A few years later, under Kerr, he also played against russia in the 1-1 home draw where a win was vital for a play off spot. He was really poor & he and Carr showed no understanding on the right at all. Betwen them, Mick & Kerr only played Reid on the right and he rarely impressed.

Eraly in Stan's reign Robson said he saw Reid & O'Shea as the future Ireland midfield. He played CM, as captain, against Holland and had a poor game. We then went to Stuttgart and where was he played? On the right, Kilbane partnering JOS in the middle. CM was crap and Reid was peripheral all game. I met him in the airport the following morning and he looked miserable.

A couple of yeras later I saw him for Blackburn at Arsenal in a game Arsenal won 3-0, but Blackburn had a lot of the game. Reid had given up his "box-to-box" role and played more as a sitting midfielder. He was superb. Composed & aware on the ball, long & short crisp accurate passing, always looking for it from the back. I posted here how impressed I was.

For a few years now I've felt that Reid had the physical attributes required to solve our "midget" crisis in midfield, not to mention the pedigree. I think way back in '05 I said that Reid & Reid was my preferred midfield and was met with a lot of derision!

The sad thing is, as you say, he has rarely impressed for us, but like Delap he has only ever been played out of position for us. Yes he was poor against Holland, but it was August & he was promoted to captain. When was his next game for us in CM? I don't think it was under Stan, maybe Norway away?

I actually think Reid has cobnfidence issues. He struggled to settle at Blackburn - a combination of being played right back and injury meaning it took him ages to settle, if indeed he ever really has. His sporadic form for Ireland is matched by his club career -different positions and long injury breaks have punctuated his career at all levels.

[geysir]

After losing that game to Chile, over 3 years ago,
Robson said about Reid.

Robson also revealed he sees Steven Reid’s Irish future as being alongside the Manchester United man in the middle of the park. He had high praise for the Blackburn midfielder.
“He played in three positions the other night but I would say his best position is in the midfield with O’Shea. He’s got such a shot on him and he’ll get that shot in on goal more if plays orthodox midfield rather than wide on the right or at full back. He’s such a good player coming onto the edge of the box, picking up ball off the strikers and hitting 25-yarders. Remember Bobby Charlton? Steven has that explosive shot.”

[NeilMcD]

yeah his best run for us was probably this time last year. Norway, Georgia and Montenegro all away and he was superb in all 3 games. Away to Montengro was our best midfield performance in a long time I thought, and I thought Montenegro were very good that night.

[Acornvilla]

i think if we get reid fit we have an excelent chance of winning in the play offs

[swinfordfc]

i think if we get reid fit we have an excelent chance of winning in the play offs


i agreed - a big player for us in the middle of the park - might play some football .....

[tommy_c12000]

Almost 30mins gone V Notts Forest and still on pitch. Lets keep the fingers crossed

[tetsujin1979]

playing centre mid too, none of this full back rubbish

[centre mid]

Got 75 mins tonight, hopefully he wont have picked up any injury. Seemed like a quiet enough shift for him.

[Jicked]

Not that quiet, apparently he gave away a bad penalty with 20 mins to go!
Great to see his fitness was ok though, will be interesting to see if he's risked in the squad on Friday. I'd leave him out and not take any chances, if Bulgaria had have beaten Italy I'd include him but I don't think it'd be worth it.

[gspain]

Not that quiet, apparently he gave away a bad penalty with 20 mins to go!
Great to see his fitness was ok though, will be interesting to see if he's risked in the squad on Friday. I'd leave him out and not take any chances, if Bulgaria had have beaten Italy I'd include him but I don't think it'd be worth it.

I thought it was a very harsh penalty.

[Yard of Pace]

He was on the back page of the Herald yesterday. Sounds like he deffo won't be in the squad on Friday but Blackburn have 7 games between now and the play-offs and he hopes to prove his fitness in them to be involved(!) should we make them. Sounds like such a humble guy, it's very refreshing.

[tetsujin1979]

He was on the back page of the Herald yesterday.
Article online here: http://www.herald.ie/sport/soccer/reid-im-ready-to-step-up-1893010.html

[geysir]

An article which starts with 'Ireland's forgotten man, Steven Reid.....'
Little does that journalist prát know that if Steven Reid walks his dog, we wait for news of his safe return.

[paul_oshea]

his dogs?

haha Petcare
Does your pet have the back to school blues? |

just appeared on that herald article.

[Wolfie]

An article which starts with 'Ireland's forgotten man, Steven Reid.....'
Little does that journalist prát know that if Steven Reid walks his dog, we wait for news of his safe return.

Reid is so unfortunate, I'm half expecting the Sky Sports News Vidi-printer to now exclaim...

"BREAKING NEWS - Stephen Reid out for season - Bitten by pet dog - Bonzo says "Sorry. Don't know what came over me"

[theworm2345]

You guys can laugh all you want but the man who is one of Reid's replacements once missed something like three months after tripping over his dog

[Acornvilla]

mr lawrence dosent like dogs or stairs anymore i think he triped over his dog n fell down the stairs! taught wingers were ment to be balanced!

[NeilMcD]

I does like a good roast, allegedly.

[dr_peepee]

You guys can laugh all you want but the man who is one of Reid's replacements once missed something like three months after tripping over his dog

Ah now... She wasn't great but she was no dog.

[Yard of Pace]

rte.ie reckon he'll be in the squad tomorrow!

As for the "forgotten man" part, I think it was after the Cyprus match or after the Italy v Bulgaria match when the lads in the studio were discussing our midfield and its shortcomings, not one of them (iirc) mentioned Reid, which I though extremely strange. I'd rather have a fit Steven Reid than Stephen Ireland in all honesty, I think he's that good.

[paul_oshea]

Well its not necessarily that he is that good, but its the position he plays in and how important that role is given our shortcomings in other areas. Stephen ireland not being in the squad isn't as big a loss becasue we have keane/mcgeady/duff etc who are quite creative and make up for that. We dont have a midfielder who can look for a pass, pick out a pass, make tackles and hold the ball up, that area in midfield is far more important than an attacking midfielder.

Having said all that, still makes ye think can you imagine this team:

Given
finnan, Dunne, Ledge, Oshea
S Reid
Duff Ireland Mcgeady
Keane Doyle

I really think that would be a serious team, creatively anyway.

[dr_peepee]

rte.ie reckon he'll be in the squad tomorrow!


I really hope Andy Reid is in the squad.. He's ticked every box to earn a recall. On and off the pitch...

[Buller]

I really hope Andy Reid is in the squad.. He's ticked every box to earn a recall. On and off the pitch...

Me too - I just doubt Trapp will change his stubborn (effective) ways!

[theworm2345]

Ah now... She wasn't great but she was no dog.
If you're referring to what I think you are, I believe she was Miss Sunderland, so I would've guessed she was great, or at least pretty good

[youngirish]

Thought I saw a similar article a couple of weeks ago but this one is from today:

http://www.eleven-a-side.com/acrossthewater/news.asp?n=37241

[dr_peepee]

If you're referring to what I think you are, I believe she was Miss Sunderland, so I would've guessed she was great, or at least pretty good

Ha!! I only got to see her via 1.3 Megapixels..

[youngirish]

Claims Reid will be in the squad:

http://www.independent.ie/breaking-news/sport/soccer/steven-reid-set-to-be-named-in-ireland-squad-1895727.html

[irishbaz]

I was at Brock hall yesterday (which is Blackburn’s training ground) I was speaking to both Keith Andrews and Steven Reid (as you do) I was working there by the way not stalking them got them to sign my sons jersey and they were both top lads. Asked them about a few things Steven Reid said that he has now had 2 Reserve team games and a carling cup game under his belt and he will be on the bench at least for Villa game (but hoping to start) he said he was contacted by Trap about his fitness and he feels that he will start against Italy he did give the reasons why-he also said his ideal partner for Ireland would be Andrews I suppose because they train together and they are getting to know each other’s game. He said he has never been better and feels great and raring to go (I suppose if you have played 7-8 games in 2 years you would feel great lol). A fit David Dunn and Steven Reid will keep Andrews out of a 4 4 2 formation however there is a place for him in the 4 5 1 formation. Keith Andrews was a really sound fella and he is so proud to have been called up he just can’t believe how his career has taken off so late and he said its a pure honour to represent Ireland (imagine that a pure honour mm if only everyone felt like that) he said he would love to kick off the Italy match with Steven Reid in central mid!! I asked them both about Andy Reid only Keith commented saying he believed there was a disagreement with the manager and thats all he knew. Also met a few of the other players and Brett Emerton is a Cee Uou Next Tuesday, Arrogant big head for an average player, the rest were spot on

[Stuttgart88]

Top class reporting Baz.

I can see Reid & Andrews being a good pairing actually. Both athletic, mobile & strong, both a have great shots and Reid has a lot of composure on the ball, more than Andrews.

I know it's well perceived that Whelan is one of Trap's favourites but I'm sure Andrews probably is too. Andrews only arrived on our scene after Reid's injury so citing the decent performances of a Whelan / Reid pairing is far from proof that that pairing is Trap's first choice.

I'm not sure Trap would give Reid / Andrews a first outing together in such a big game though.

[Pauro 76]

Once served Steven Reid in a bar I worked at in Kingston-upon-Thames (he was born there).. A really sound guy and I hope he gets back to being a regular for us again.