Graeme Souness and RTE

[SkStu]

:eek:

Not seen that version before!

(And it's a typo that really annoys me normally)

:D thought that might get a response!!

[geysir]

I certainly hope Souness is a fixture for the Ireland games in the pundits chair at RTE.
His main point was about playing 2 wingers, that we only need one.
Fair enough point.
Our game is crying out for somebody who can mosey about midfield, get on the ball and generally be available.
I'd be more easy about that if we had Finnan at FB.

[Uncle_Joe]

http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2009/0211/irevgeo_analysis_av.html

Dunphy names the Irish players that would get into any European team. Its 10 minutes into the clip.
To be fair to Dunphy he does say there are 7 or 8 Irish players in that team thaqt would get into any European International team and he goes on to name 6 of them.
Doyle
Given
Keane
Dunne
O'Shea :eek:
and some guy called Ireland.

Fair play to Dunphy if he was defending the team from an attack by Souness but it wasnt that. Souness was saying that Ireland have done very well so far, have modest resources and have great chance of qualifying if we beat Bulgaria at home. Dunphy was simply building up the Irish team so that he could have a go at the mangement about leaving out Ireland and Reid.

[Uncle_Joe]

... maybe a bit unfair on O'Shea, seen as though he does play regularly for the European Club Champions.:o

[Stuttgart88]

[URL]Souness was saying that Ireland have done very well so far, have modest resources and have great chance of qualifying if we beat Bulgaria at home. When I was a bit less mature than I think I am now I used to really dislike Souness, but I think the additional view he brings to the RTE panel is very valuable, usually very accurate, and I think he's a very good pundit when allowed the editorial discretion he's given at RTE. Maybe I'm being soft, but I actually also think he likes our team.

I think Dunphy was OTT but if he'd said that 6-8 of our players would get into any mid-sized 3rd seeded country in Europe, or even some of the second seeds, he wouldn't be far wrong. I honestly think that except for central midfield our resources are far better than modest, but given the importance of central midfield the overall team is modest. Souness himself acknowledged that Steven Reid would be a huge addition.

[NeilMcD]

I think if we went with this first 11 if we had it available.

Given

Finnan Dunne O Shea Kilbane


Duff S. Reid S. Ireland Mc Geady

R. Keane K Doyle

at home

and away go with a Lee Carsley, Glenn Whelan, Keith Andrews instead of Ireland or one of the wingers and we would have a very strong team. Unfortunately not having S. Reid and S. Ireland does make us very average in the most crucial area of the park.

[craig7042]

The guy is a prize fool. Why do people still listen to what he says and give his normally bone-headed reactions to games the courtesy of their attention?

The man who was trumpeting Trap's appointment was to be heard, after we'd secured 7 points from a possible 9, demanding that Trap be sacked if he neglected to pick Andy Reid in his next squad.

Now, with 10 points from a possible 12, our best ever start to a qualifying campaign, he is trying out the whole line that 'failing' to get Stephen Ireland back is somehow a massive shortcoming on the part of the Irish management. The guy simply does not want to play for his country. Quite apart from the insult it would be to the value of the Irish jersey to go begging him to come back, it would be futile. The course of action taken by Trap, Brady et al is both the correct and the only sane one: declare that the door is open (albeit, quite rationally, within a deadline now that the games are clocking up) and leave it up for the guy to make the call.

This is all painfully obvious, of course. But it beggars belief that, when he's being paid over 300,000 euro a year to be the maverick, the sh*t-stirrer-in-chief of the RTE panel, this is the best he can come up with. It's pathetic.

I agree wholeheartedly. Souness did great in making the comments he did about Traps achievements so far. Its quite exciting and quite clear to see how he is setting this team up

[Dr. Ogba]

When I was a bit less mature than I think I am now I used to really dislike Souness, but I think the additional view he brings to the RTE panel is very valuable, usually very accurate, and I think he's a very good pundit when allowed the editorial discretion he's given at RTE. Maybe I'm being soft, but I actually also think he likes our team.

I think Dunphy was OTT but if he'd said that 6-8 of our players would get into any mid-sized 3rd seeded country in Europe, or even some of the second seeds, he wouldn't be far wrong. I honestly think that except for central midfield our resources are far better than modest, but given the importance of central midfield the overall team is modest. Souness himself acknowledged that Steven Reid would be a huge addition.

hear here!

[Jock MIB]

its all well and good saying that but with two wingers that we have, we could be playing a more expansive game. i'm happy with how trap is doing things, but just because we don't have top players doesn't mean we have to play within ourselves.

But i think that were you fall short in this campaign because the better teams will take control of your centre midfield not allowing your expansive game to happen.

Ireland i think have a good/great players in most key positions bar the centre midfield, if the can sort that position out i think ireland would be in great chance to qualify.

and i think trap is doing great job

[NeilMcD]

The only people who do not think that is doing a good job are people who have a one eyed agenda for a certain player whether that be A Reid, S Ireland or S St. Ledger. In addition there are a few wannabe managers or forum warriors who think they know more than someone with 50 years worth of experience in football.

Do I agree with everything that Trap is doing no, however on Wed night, I was shouting for him to do something from the bench, well he didnt and we won the match, so what the hell do I know.

[backstothewall]

His main point was about playing 2 wingers, that we only need one.
Fair enough point.
Our game is crying out for somebody who can mosey about midfield, get on the ball and generally be available.

He was quit right, especially against strong opposition. Against Bulgaria next month i would be a lot happer with Hunt in the side instead of Duff to stiffen up the midfield a bit.

He is a very good pundit for sky,and even better at RTÉ where he can really say what he thinks.

I can see the merit of having dunphy in there for entertainment purposes, but he is clearly just an entertaining idiot. And in fairness to him he did pull Bill on getting McGeady's name wrong. The fact Giles usually agrees with him say to me Giles needs to be the next to go. He is there to be the straight man talking sense. Someone like Denis Irwin would be much better in that role.

And it is time for Bill to go as well

[elroy]

And it is time for Bill to go as well

WHAT!!! :eek: Never

[backstothewall]

Yeah. Thats right. I said it!!

He doesn't even know how to pronounce the right wingers surname.

That is basic journalism. Learn how to pronounce the names of the 2 teams before the game. OK fair enough if he trips over one of the Georgians. But what sort of preperation soes he do if he's calling McGeady "McCreevy".

[Junior]

calling McGeady "McCreevy".

Its amazing the amount of football fans that appear to have great difficulty in pronouncing McGeady - or typing it for that matter. Is it really that difficult!!

[geysir]

The pundits or Bill won't get us to South Africa.

The main benefit that Souness has there is to effectively balance out Dunphy's hyperbole with a forceful even tempered rational debate on Trap and the team.

I have a soft spot for Giles's moral perspective :)

[the-blue-harp]

ya would think dunphy could just be happy for once. were getting results and sitting pretty at the minute. moaning old ****.
dunphy please give up the ghost on andy reid for everyones sake. the guy made me cringe last wednesday night listening to him. :D

is it just me or do eamonn and johnny giles disagree with every point graham makes, if i was graham i would have walked by now. every time he's on he makes good points (sometimes bad ones too) and no matter what johnny and eamonn disagree.

[eirebhoy]

Johnny and Eamon don't disagree much tbh. Giles has been a poor pundit for years now imo. After watching a 90 minutes I'd want to hear Brady's analysis before any of those but Souness isn't bad at all.

[kingdomkerry]

Its amazing the amount of football fans that appear to have great difficulty in pronouncing McGeady - or typing it for that matter. Is it really that difficult!!

Yeah the sky commentators are'nt the best either.

Remember Mark Kin-sella or Gark Dockhertee! And most recently Andy Keyhoe :eek:

[bennocelt]

Johnny and Eamon don't disagree much tbh. Giles has been a poor pundit for years now imo. After watching a 90 minutes I'd want to hear Brady's analysis before any of those but Souness isn't bad at all.

strongly disagree with that, Giles is the wise old man of Irish football IMHO, love listening to him

[Stuttgart88]

Remember Mark Kin-sella or Gark Dockhertee! And most recently Andy Keyhoe :eek:Yeah, but is Darren O'Dea pronounced "O'Dee" or "O'Day". I think it can be pronounced either way depending on what part of Ireland you're from.

[tetsujin1979]

Johnny and Eamon don't disagree much tbh. Giles has been a poor pundit for years now imo. After watching a 90 minutes I'd want to hear Brady's analysis before any of those but Souness isn't bad at all.
Don't agree with that, Kerr knows the player names, family history, and what they eat for breakfast, but Giles can look at 5 minutes of game time and tell you exactly what he's doing wrong.

[the-blue-harp]

two other people i cant stand from commentary...

ray houghton- he is the most negative wee man iv ever heard, and nothing is good enough for him. when commenting on a move he just says exactly what you see, ya dont need him to tell ya ronaldo passed it long ya can see it yourself.

Jim Beglin- drone, irritating drone of a voice.

i do however enjoy george hamilton at times, cos he comes out with some classics.

[gustavo]

two other people i cant stand from commentary...

ray houghton- he is the most negative wee man iv ever heard, and nothing is good enough for him. when commenting on a move he just says exactly what you see, ya dont need him to tell ya ronaldo passed it long ya can see it yourself.

Jim Beglin- drone, irritating drone of a voice.

i do however enjoy george hamilton at times, cos he comes out with some classics.

I like Beglin as far as summarisers go , Usually I wouldn't pass too much heed to what any of them say.

[as_i_say]

if i was graham i would have walked by now. .

On the contrary he probably relishes the say what you think attitude that the RTE panel affords him-he's clearly enjoying himself on it.

[Stuttgart88]

i do however enjoy george hamilton at times, cos he comes out with some classics.
nah, single-handedly cost us a win over Russia in 1988 and countless games since.

[geysir]

I think the power of George's malign influence is on the wane.

[Wolfie]

I think the power of George's malign influence is on the wane.

I can't say for sure as I'm still traumatised - but didn't he goad the cruel sporting gods into action against Israel away a few years ago with all that away win talk near the end?

[Wolfie]

I think the bould George may have begun summing up a highly credible away win against Slovakia in the last campaign just seconds before the gut wrenching equaliser too..................

[fergalr]

Giles has been a poor pundit for years now imo.
Have to strongy agree with this.

IMHO the Billo-Grumpy-Gilesy shtick outlived its usefulness a decade ago and its now as tired as plank's late late and the other cobwebbed recesses of Montrose.

Everytime I hear Billo doing the old chummy innocent, or Grumpy doing a rant-for-headline or Gilsey's recycling a Revie/Leeds anecdote I hit the remote.

Its a panel that has the age profile and energy of a Sovet-era politbureau.

[geysir]

On the curse of George,
although he has kept his trap shut as regards 3 valuable points must be/surely are in the bag since the Slovakia game, he has been audibly purring against Georgia in both games with the intoxicating scent of 3 points in the bag.
maybe he has learnt to keep the curse under control.

It seemed a monumental task that a Northerner would voluntarily come to his senses and control what comes out his mouth.

[elroy]

Giles is better on the radio i think. Hes quite good on a thurs night on newstalk, seems more relaxed, up for a laugh etc.

[eirebhoy]

Giles can look at 5 minutes of game time and tell you exactly what he's doing wrong.
I haven't noticed it tbh but I find myself disagreeing with him a lot. I remember Giles critising the outstanding Riquelme during the world cup though and I thought he'd lost it. Brady was disagreed with Giles strongly at the time.

[geysir]

You mean the one RTE debate where Johnny said Riquelme was good but not great, Liam concluded that John had higher standards that the rest of them :D

Giles is not a poor pundit because he is parse with where he puts his class label. Who does Johnny label class anyway? certainly a midfielder would have to be supremely gifted with all the midfield attributes before Johnny would give him the nod.

[Noelys Guitar]

Don't agree with that, Kerr knows the player names, family history, and what they eat for breakfast, but Giles can look at 5 minutes of game time and tell you exactly what he's doing wrong.

I agree with that. Giles possibly because of his age loses his train of thought sometimes but he is usually spot on with his analysis of individual players. My two favourite pundits are Christopher Sullivan on Fox soccer and Ray Hudson on Gol TV for those who get their channels online. Sullivan's analysis of the Ireland v Brazil game was superb when Fox showed it. He predicted that Ireland would push Italy all the way for first place and that we would sucessfully adapt to Trap's tactics. And Hudson (who covers La Liga for Gol TV)is both hilarious and knowledgeable at the same time. Sky would never allow him on. Particulary with his weekly ****takes of "Becks".

[Razors left peg]

Giles is by far the best pundit on TV

[the-blue-harp]

On the contrary he probably relishes the say what you think attitude that the RTE panel affords him-he's clearly enjoying himself on it.

yea but the man cant get to make a point without it being torn to shreds by giles and dunphy, i think the most used phrase on the programme is " i dont agree with graham". i feel sorry for poor graham on the show. although i know he's laughing all the way to the bank after the show!:D

[DmanDmythDledge]

Giles is by far the best pundit on TV
I think Lee Dixon is better than anyone else at the moment. I know Neil will probably agree with me. :)

[tetsujin1979]

yea but the man cant get to make a point without it being torn to shreds by giles and dunphy, i think the most used phrase on the programme is " i dont agree with graham". i feel sorry for poor graham on the show. although i know he's laughing all the way to the bank after the show!:D
the other side of that is that he actually gets to debate points with Giles and Dunphy, rather than suffer the banalities of Jamie Redknapp

[the-blue-harp]

the other side of that is that he actually gets to debate points with Giles and Dunphy, rather than suffer the banalities of Jamie Redknapp

i was just going to mention redknapp actually, what a nice guy. too nice for punditry though.

[as_i_say]

i was just going to mention redknapp actually, what a nice guy. too nice for punditry though.

Agreed. Nice but dim. So very very dim.

[DeLorean]

Agreed. Nice but dim. So very very dim.

Actually I think he's one of the few on Sky who actually says what he thinks. He's the only one on there I've ever seen disagree with Sir Andy Gray. That was about the Marscherano sending off at OT.

I think Giles is top class. I'll never tire of his analysis of Stevie G as repetative as it is, he's got some milage there. I enjoy Souness in the fact that he stands up for himself against Dunphy but I don't agree with him very much.

Hates: Lou Macari (the most depressing man on TV)
Ray Houghton (there was a loss of commentary for the Pool Chelsea Champs lge semi the yr before last and it was the most beautiful silence of all time, his favourite saying, "he has to hit the target George"- he even said this when Sissoko hit the bar from about forty yards with a snap shot with the keeper out of his goals against Barcelona, remember Wembley 91 Ray, I do!!!)
Mark Lawrenson (don't need to explain surely)

The guy that was doing the co-commentary for the Luton-Brighton match the other night was good fun, not sure who he was though?

[Stuttgart88]

I never tire of listening to Giles. I think Souness is interesting and I think Dunphy is entertaining.

The problem with Dunphy is that he has the capacity to influence opinion among the less perceptive masses.

[EAFC_rdfl]

Yeah, but is Darren O'Dea pronounced "O'Dee" or "O'Day". I think it can be pronounced either way depending on what part of Ireland you're from.
its pronounced O'DEE!!!!

[Stuttgart88]

See - when I saw it written on paper first I'd have said "O'Day"! :)

Isn't that shortarse Limerick FF TD with the moustache pronounced "O'Day"?

I had a neighbour named Heneghan from Dublin. He called himself "Heenahan" yet his dad called himself "Hennigan" cos he was from Galway (maybe it was other way around).

[tetsujin1979]

See - when I saw it written on paper first I'd have said "O'Day"! :)

Isn't that shortarse Limerick FF TD with the moustache pronounced "O'Day"?

I had a neighbour named Heneghan from Dublin. He called himself "Heenahan" yet his dad called himself "Hennigan" cos he was from Galway (maybe it was other way around).
nope, he's definitely pronounced "O'Dee".
Drinks the odd time in my local in Limerick

[Stuttgart88]

What do us Dubs know, eh?

[kingdom hoop]

Never heard Willie pronounced as O'Day by anyone in Ireland.

I think some poker commentators call Donnacha and his son O'Day alright though. So must be a foreign thing Stutts. :p

[lionelhutz]

nope, he's definitely pronounced "O'Dee".
Drinks the odd time in my local in Limerick

Yep. The moustache man is definitely pronounced "O'Dee"

[geysir]

What does a Dub know about pronunciation?
In Dubspeak, Carroll becomes Cartcle,
First you say Cart, then to complete the pronunciation, you then place your tongue firmly up on the palate, once that's done, you blow out (also out of the nasal passage), while trying to snigger like Shane McGowan.

[backstothewall]

It seemed a monumental task that a Northerner would voluntarily come to his senses and control what comes out his mouth.

What are you trying to say about northerners? Any more talk like that and i'll have the petrol bombs out :D

In Belfast it would be pronounced O'Day without a doubt. but as he is a dub i suppose its only fair to say it as its pronounced there.

Didn't work for Kevin More Ran mind you.

Speaking of us northerners. I would love to see Colin Murray in Bill's chair. Does a good job with 5 accross the water imho