Stephen Ireland

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

How does it beat having Whelan in the squad considering they play different positions to him?

You're reading in to things too much.

[tetsujin1979]

Imagine having Reid, Hoolahan and Ireland in the same squad!

It sure beats Whelan, Rowlands and Miller!
when was the last time Whelan, Rowlands and Miller were in the same squad?

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

when was the last time Whelan, Rowlands and Miller were in the same squad?

Oh probably in 2009 some time ......

[geysir]

Was it the dead rubber game against Montenegro, Rowlands got seriously injured?

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Was it the dead rubber game against Montenegro, Rowlands got seriously injured?

Yes. Only played a couple more matches at Championship level after that.

[tetsujin1979]

Oh probably in 2009 some time ......
checked it out, they never played in the same team together, but they were in the same squad for the Italy and Montenegro double header in 2009.
Miller missed out on the Italy game, and Whelan was suspended for the Montenegro game

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Stephen Ireland says he wants to play for Ireland in the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign but only after he sorts out his long-term future - the contract he signed at Stoke this month expires at the end of the season. Martin O'Neill may not be willing to wait that long and the intimation is that if O'Neill asks/selects Ireland to be in the squad for the Serbia game or the May friendlies and Ireland declines, then O'Neill may not pursue him any further.

Sunday Times

[back of the net]

Stephen Ireland says he wants to play for Ireland in the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign but only after he sorts out his long-term future - the contract he signed at Stoke this month expires at the end of the season. Martin O'Neill may not be willing to wait that long and the intimation is that if O'Neill asks/selects Ireland to be in the squad for the Serbia game or the May friendlies and Ireland declines, then O'Neill may not pursue him any further.

Sunday Times



Is this piece from todays times? - If so it is another re-hash of a story that has been circulating not long after O'Neills appointment as Republic Boss.

Ireland signed a permanent deal with Stoke 2 weeks ago - and although Stoke have not released his permanent contract length, Ireland's future is now sorted so he has no more excuses - if O'Neill calls him up and Ireland is serious about returning to the international fold then he must accept O'Neill's call up otherwise he can F""K right off .....Time to put up or shut up Stephen!!

[geysir]

Does that mean Ireland only got a permanent contract to the end of the season? A stroke of sorts to allow Stoke to get another loan signing?
Sounds like another typical Stephen Irelandism, my granny, my other granny, my alleged shark tank, nasty Irish players pulled my hair and stole my comb, disrespectful Trap with 3 mobiles on the go, thanks Noel for asking but I'll wait until Ireland have a permanent manager. Just when you thought you were already all strung out, now we have .......... drum roll ....... the "contract" needs to be sorted out
If you thought for a second that he wasn't spoofing this time, just consider what every other sensible out of contract player would be doing, begging the irish manager for a bit of game time to show off just how valued they are, but Stephen Ireland thinks it would be lowering or complicate his selling factor if he was in our squad.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Is this piece from todays times? - If so it is another re-hash of a story that has been circulating not long after O'Neills appointment as Republic Boss.

Ireland signed a permanent deal with Stoke 2 weeks ago - and although Stoke have not released his permanent contract length, Ireland's future is now sorted so he has no more excuses - if O'Neill calls him up and Ireland is serious about returning to the international fold then he must accept O'Neill's call up otherwise he can F""K right off .....Time to put up or shut up Stephen!!

Ireland's contract runs out at the end of the season. To bring in another player/s on loan, Stoke had to sign Ireland "permanently". He still hasn't sorted his long-term future out so I will give him the benefit of the doubt.

I was never one to froth at the mouth about Ireland's behaviour. 21 years old and already a father to two children, a miscarriage, naivete, psychological problems and a media uproar; it's a toxic mix. You need to look at these things with perspective. What he did was childish, infuriating and stupid but he was essentially still a child.

He was clearly willing to come back a number of years ago anyways but we had an "eccentric" old codger in charge who was, perhaps, not the ideal person to man-manage such a delicate individual.

Martin O'Neill, by all accounts, comes across as a father figure to his charges.

[back of the net]

Ireland's contract runs out at the end of the season. To bring in another player/s on loan, Stoke had to sign Ireland "permanently". He still hasn't sorted his long-term future out so I will give him the benefit of the doubt.

I was never one to froth at the mouth about Ireland's behaviour. 21 years old and already a father to two children, a miscarriage, naivete, psychological problems and a media uproar; it's a toxic mix. You need to look at these things with perspective. What he did was childish, infuriating and stupid but he was essentially still a child.

He was clearly willing to come back a number of years ago anyways but we had an "eccentric" old codger in charge who was, perhaps, not the ideal person to man-manage such a delicate individual.

Martin O'Neill, by all accounts, comes across as a father figure to his charges.



Where is your source from saying that his deal is only permanent until the end of the season? Not disputing you - but i havent seen that announced or mentioned.


I completely agree with you on looking at his actions when he was younger with perspective when he was younger - he did endure some tough times

The years have passed now and he has seemed content to play mind games with the FAI and irish managers on whether , he will/will not return to the intl fold - he is 27 now and "should be" entering the peak of his career - not still acting childish because he is no longer a young /childish footballer.

He has gotten yet "another" chance, this time with a club manager who believes in him and hopefully from their successful time at Man City together will be somewhat replicated at stoke.

The Euros start in September - Stephen needs to make a decision on his Intl return by the serbia game - he has no more excuses - I personally would love him back but he needs to accept that he cant keep fobbing off the Intl managers with excuses and sporadic nonsensical comments to the media

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Where is your source from saying that his deal is only permanent until the end of the season? Not disputing you - but i havent seen that announced or mentioned.



The years have passed now and he has seems content to play mind games with the FAI and irish managers on whether , he will/will not return to the intl fold - he is 27 now and "should be" entering the peak of his career - not still acting childish because he is no longer a young /childish footballer.

He has gotten yet "another" chance, this time with a club manager who believes in him and hopefully from their successful time at Man City together will be somewhat replicated at stoke.

The Euros start in September - Stephen needs to make a decision on his Intl return by the serbia game - he has no more excuses - I personally would love him back but he needs to accept that he cant keep fobbing off the Intl managers with excuses and sporadic nonsensical comments to the media

He said it himself in an interview with Paul Rowan. It's in the Sunday Times today.

[CraftyToePoke]

He was clearly willing to come back a number of years ago anyways but we had an "eccentric" old codger in charge who was, perhaps, not the ideal person to man-manage such a delicate individual.

Without wishing to seem like I am picking at your every contribution on here TWOK, I cannot recall him ever being clear in that respect. I can recall him being evasive and casual in his replies to the point of disrespect to the national shirt any number of times though.

[back of the net]

"Arrogant Trapattoni " interview :

Ireland says:

""Me and my financial adviser, who's looked after me all my life and is someone I really trust, sat down with Trapattoni, his right-hand man and Liam Brady.

"In the middle of chatting, like we are now, he'd have four different phones going off and he kept leaving the room to talk to people."
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

But what made me laugh is that Ireland was his following quotes in the same interview:

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"I got called up to the full squad under Brian Kerr, then we had a massive fall-out. I stayed away for two or three years, which was a blessing in disguise.

"Then Steve Staunton called me up, and I'd just broken into the City team, so I felt I had to go. But after two or three squads I was thinking 'what am I doing here?'.

"There were times I'd finish a game with City at 8pm, then I was meant to meet up with the Ireland squad at 10pm in Dublin.

"I'd just ring up and say I don't feel well. There was nothing wrong with me, I just had no intention of ever going.."

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
His last line smacks of arrogance - hypocrisy of him calling trap arrogant

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Anyway - despite his obvious self delusions - I hope he gets called up in march and stoke works out for him.

Such a shame if he cant reclaim some of the massive potential he had both for club and country - but as said before he needs to "shut up or put up"

[Stuttgart88]

TOWK overlooks a history of undisputed commitment and loyalty when he negatively interprets an ambiguous quote by Robbie Keane explaining what he'd do if no longer selected.

Days later he overlooks a history of disregard, disrespect and the absolute antithesis of commitment, and interprets positively a quote from Stephen Ireland that only with a very generous interpretation could be considered anything but unambiguously negative.

I think we're starting to narrow things down. TOWK is from Cork, very possibly Cobh :)

Anyway, I share back of the net's sentiment in his last 2 sentences above.

[geysir]

I wouldn't go so far as having sentiments/emotions such as hope and regret.
If he sorts himself out and makes himself available unconditionally, then fine I can accept that, if he doesn't, then it's to his shame and to his regret, just as it has been all along. The same amount of culpability in the matter should extend to O'Neill as to all our previous managers who had to deal with him, none.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

I fairly interpret Robbie Keane's comments. If he said that he would knuckle down and fight for his place like everyone else instead of "walking away" then I would have positively interpreted his comments.

I take people's points on Ireland, though I would still have him back in a heartbeat after watching Andrews, Whelan, Miller, Rowlands and Green graft over the last 5 years. We need a touch of class to compliment endeavour.

[dr_peepee]

I read his permanent Stoke contract was for 18 Months??

[back of the net]

I take people's points on Ireland, though I would still have him back in a heartbeat after watching Andrews, Whelan, Miller, Rowlands and Green graft over the last 5 years. We need a touch of class to compliment endeavour.

IMO - Trap never should have called up /kept faith in Miller

But.....

Rowlands hasnt played enough for Ireland to make that kind of comment surely? He was very good for QPR for quite a few seasons pre his injury against Montengro in 2009. He scored alot of goals from midfield and deserved his chance with Ireland.

Andrews has been great for Ireland and proved himself on the international stage - so I strongly disagree with your comment on him.


And Paul Green is another player who has done his job very well for Ireland when he has been asked - and the criticism he gets .... is bullsh*t and unfair.
Green can do a job for us that stephen Ireland cannot nor will ever do

[Stuttgart88]

I agree, though I think TOWK was trying to say some craft was needed to complement the graft of the others rather than us only having grafters in midfield. I think Miller had a bit of craft in him but he was frighteningly lightweight.

[back of the net]

I agree, though I think TOWK was trying to say some craft was needed to complement the graft of the others rather than us only having grafters in midfield. I think Miller had a bit of craft in him but he was frighteningly lightweight.



Agreed - On re-reading TOWK's post , i think i may have been originally overzealous - Apologies TOWK and I do now see what you mean.

Although if Mr Ireland had made himself available back then instead of being a grade A tw*t then this debate would not be happening

[BonnieShels]

IMO - Trap never should have called up /kept faith in Miller

But.....

Rowlands hasnt played enough for Ireland to make that kind of comment surely? He was very good for QPR for quite a few seasons pre his injury against Montengro in 2009. He scored alot of goals from midfield and deserved his chance with Ireland.

Andrews has been great for Ireland and proved himself on the international stage - so I strongly disagree with your comment on him.


And Paul Green is another player who has done his job very well for Ireland when he has been asked - and the criticism he gets .... is bullsh*t and unfair.
Green can do a job for us that stephen Ireland cannot nor will ever do


Pretty much agree with all of this.

Also the phrase "Make himself available" does my head in wrt to SI. He should be grateful of a call up if it's forthcoming.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

IMO - Trap never should have called up /kept faith in Miller

But.....

Rowlands hasnt played enough for Ireland to make that kind of comment surely? He was very good for QPR for quite a few seasons pre his injury against Montengro in 2009. He scored alot of goals from midfield and deserved his chance with Ireland.

Andrews has been great for Ireland and proved himself on the international stage - so I strongly disagree with your comment on him.


And Paul Green is another player who has done his job very well for Ireland when he has been asked - and the criticism he gets .... is bullsh*t and unfair.
Green can do a job for us that stephen Ireland cannot nor will ever do

Green has fare pretty well over 1 or 2 recent matches but I don't think the criticism aimed at him is any more overzealous than the praise. I think compared with Whelan, literally anyone would look like an improvement. I still remember Green being Armenia's single biggest attacking threat in Yerevan. I don't want to be overly hard on Glenn. He has had a respectable career with Stoke but based solely on his Ireland performances since the 2010 campaign, it is a miracle he reached 50 caps.

We have to start valuing players like Hoolahan, Reid, Ireland and O'Kane.

It isn't just the starting 11 who are important. Substitutions have a vital role and any of those players would arguably impact a game more than Cox, Walters or Trap's secret weapon Andy Keogh.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Re: Miller

He has Champions League and Europa League experience and has played a significant amount of his career in the Premier League and at the high end of the Championship. Rowlands has played at Football League level, mostly with mid to lower end Championship teams and at International level, didn't really get much of a chance to show he's any/better than Miller. Miller was alright but the two of them were keeping out better players. They only made about 25 appearances between them anyway so unfortunately for them, they will always be a foot note.

[Crosby87]

SI could have had a bunch of goals today after coming on if Assaidi would stop playing around and pass the ball. I think a three year old could have done it.

[zero]

apologies if posted already but it seems the FAI have read between the lines and think he might be ready to return:

http://www.fai.ie/component/content/article/203-ezine-content/103740-ireland-comeback-on-the-cards.html?utm_source=Football+Association+of+Irel and&utm_campaign=d265771665-FAI_FanRepublic_5_Roy_inspires_U17s2_4_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_e463b2c0d5-d265771665-26083577

bit of a strange thing to put on the official site i would have thought.

[Yard of Pace]

If he wants to play I'd welcome him back. We've plenty of other players who seem to be tossers. And I absolutely hated Trap so I can't blame him totally for not coming back. Imagine waiting in midfield to get ball to feet and Given or Westwood launches it over your head to Doyle or Long. Again.

[Charlie Darwin]

And I absolutely hated Trap so I can't blame him totally for not coming back. Imagine waiting in midfield to get ball to feet and Given or Westwood launches it over your head to Doyle or Long. Again.
Not sure what the relevance of this is, since it wasn't in any way a factor in Ireland not playing for us.

[geysir]

Well, there's a deluded line of thought that SI would have come back but not with Trap in charge.

Good to hear he's busy fighting the good fight.
"I think they know the stage I am at here, fighting for a contract, and they are just leaving me to it."

Maybe O'Neill/Keane regard SI as one of their lowest priorities, have more important matters to attend with and just have not considered paying any attention to SI.

[DannyInvincible]

apologies if posted already but it seems the FAI have read between the lines and think he might be ready to return:

http://www.fai.ie/component/content/article/203-ezine-content/103740-ireland-comeback-on-the-cards.html?utm_source=Football+Association+of+Irel and&utm_campaign=d265771665-FAI_FanRepublic_5_Roy_inspires_U17s2_4_2014&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_e463b2c0d5-d265771665-26083577

bit of a strange thing to put on the official site i would have thought.

Just saw that and was thinking the same. Why would the FAI publish a story about the potential return of a player who has exiled himself unless there was some sort of contact from him or an indication that a return was imminent? It does say that neither Martin nor Roy have gotten in contact, but might someone else at the FAI have been in touch?

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

If he wants to play I'd welcome him back. We've plenty of other players who seem to be tossers. And I absolutely hated Trap so I can't blame him totally for not coming back. Imagine waiting in midfield to get ball to feet and Given or Westwood launches it over your head to Doyle or Long. Again.

Stephen Ireland would never have got any game time under Trapattoni. Trapattoni did not seek out Ireland under his own volition. He was coerced into meeting with him. I can't read Ireland's intentions and it is hard to gauge how firm his interest is but I have no problems believing him when he says that Trapattoni was discourteous and uninterested when he met him.

He is out of contract at Stoke in the summer and his next long-term contract is the most important of his career so I have no problems giving him the benefit of the doubt. However, a call up and game time in March is a firm indicator of how much O'Neill and Keane value him so if he was to turn that down, I will fully get behind whatever course of action O'Neill and Keane decide to take.

[Crosby87]

Did anyone see the match last Saturday and notice his body language when he gets frustrated that he isn't getting the ball? I mean as I said a few posts up that Assaidi guy is a moron but SI flipping his hands around, kicking into the air and yelling, then dragging back slowly and sulking.....that would not fly with his Irish teammates, am I right? And how would Roy deal with that? (I'm assuming that at his age SI cannot change his stripes.)

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Did anyone see the match last Saturday and notice his body language when he gets frustrated that he isn't getting the ball? I mean as I said a few posts up that Assaidi guy is a moron but SI flipping his hands around, kicking into the air and yelling, then dragging back slowly and sulking.....that would not fly with his Irish teammates, am I right? And how would Roy deal with that? (I'm assuming that at his age SI cannot change his stripes.)

What a nice problem to have; someone who isn't afraid of the ball.

[geysir]

Just saw that and was thinking the same. Why would the FAI publish a story about the potential return of a player who has exiled himself unless there was some sort of contact from him or an indication that a return was imminent? It does say that neither Martin nor Roy have gotten in contact, but might someone else at the FAI have been in touch?
I wouldn't read anything into that piece making the FAI news page.
edit - it's not even on the latest news menu anymore, it was beside the one on Keane.
And if he's peddling that pathetic excuse, I definitely wouldn't read anything into SI's comments. Can you imagine any other international player saying as an excuse to a new international manager who's preparing his team for the qualifiers, 'I'm sorry but I might get injured and mess up my career, just call me later when me mind is at peace'?

[SwanVsDalton]

Stephen Ireland would never have got any game time under Trapattoni. Trapattoni did not seek out Ireland under his own volition. He was coerced into meeting with him. I can't read Ireland's intentions and it is hard to gauge how firm his interest is but I have no problems believing him when he says that Trapattoni was discourteous and uninterested when he met him.

Aye. Gun to Trap's head. And Stephen Ireland probably said he was ready to come back, repeatedly, but that Italian moron just didn't understand. Poor Stephen, the wee dote.

Anyone who makes any case any manager (ever) should go cap in hand to a disinterested, petulant and unwilling individual, who has barely mustered a run of first-team football in three years, is Kool-Aid powered. Positing the argument as about creativity vs tactics (ie Trap didn't trust him) is hardly credible since Stevie showed about as much interest in playing for us over the last few years as Andy Goram.

If Ireland wanted to play, he knew where the phone was. If he wants to play now, quit the foreplay and knuckle down.

[Grafter]

Personally, I think there should be a quality review in terms of the FAI and those who administer their social media... some vacuous stuff they post like - Shane Long turns 27! So what?

[Crosby87]

First Andy Goram reference in ages! :D
Somewhere Dr Peepee is smiling.

[Crosby87]

Personally, I think there should be a quality review in terms of the FAI and those who administer their social media... some vacuous stuff they post like - Shane Long turns 27! So what?

I think that happens with most sports teams Grafter. The Pittsburgh Penguins twitter feed tells us fans when Malkin has to move his bowels, basically. They just try to....fit into the tech world by number of tweets or whatever. The Dallas Cowboys will tell you what Romo had for lunch (literally).

[geysir]

First Andy Goram reference in ages! :D
Somewhere Dr Peepee is smiling.
But which Andy Goram?

[Crosby87]

That's in bad taste. I won't stand for it. Neither will Peepee.

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Aye. Gun to Trap's head. And Stephen Ireland probably said he was ready to come back, repeatedly, but that Italian moron just didn't understand. Poor Stephen, the wee dote.

Anyone who makes any case any manager (ever) should go cap in hand to a disinterested, petulant and unwilling individual, who has barely mustered a run of first-team football in three years, is Kool-Aid powered. Positing the argument as about creativity vs tactics (ie Trap didn't trust him) is hardly credible since Stevie showed about as much interest in playing for us over the last few years as Andy Goram.

If Ireland wanted to play, he knew where the phone was. If he wants to play now, quit the foreplay and knuckle down.

He was Aston Villa supporters' Player of the Season in 2011/2012. Short memory? And as for the 2012/2013 season, ask Darren Bent, Alan Hutton, Shay Given, Enda Stevens and Barry Bannan about Paul Lambert's unique take on managing players. In the here and now, he has been good for Stoke. More goals (and probably assists) in half a season than Glenn Whelan has in over four years. More goals (4 in 6) for Ireland than Whelan in over 50 games. I just find the laissez-faire attitude about Ireland coming back a bit strange when we keep questioning where the goals and creativity are going to come from.

As for everything else you said, yeah Ireland is a self-indulgent muppet who is lacking in grey matter, but he was barely out of his 20's, a parent to two young children, his wife had a miscarriage and accusations of bullying within the squad were confirmed with an appearance by the equally gormless Stephen Hunt on The Saturday Night Show. I just find the lack of sympathy towards him quite galling really.

Two wrongs don't make a right. Ireland being eccentric does not give Trapattoni carte blanche to behave boorishly when he is/was paid extremely handsomely to make decisions for the best of the National Team and not his personal pride.

No way in hell Ireland would have got anywhere near the team, just like Reid and Hoolahan.

Begs the question, why then was there a meeting between the two parties to begin with?

[geysir]

That's in bad taste. I won't stand for it. Neither will Peepee.
That would be a first for you, Crosby. :)

[DannyInvincible]

I just find the laissez-faire attitude about Ireland coming back a bit strange when we keep questioning where the goals and creativity are going to come from.

It's an appropriate response to someone who has shown as little interest in playing for Ireland and is probably peppered with a sense of maintaining integrity and self-respect. Football fans can lose the run of themselves and all sense of human reality at times whenever players are concerned - as if these players are puppets living in a virtual bubble, duty-bound to satisfy our general pleasure and entertainment needs - but if he doesn't wish to play, so be it. I won't be on my knees begging, nor will I be frothing at the mouth with indignation, whatever his decision.


As for everything else you said, yeah Ireland is a self-indulgent muppet who is lacking in grey matter, but he was barely out of his 20's, a parent to two young children, his wife had a miscarriage and accusations of bullying within the squad were confirmed with an appearance by the equally gormless Stephen Hunt on The Saturday Night Show. I just find the lack of sympathy towards him quite galling really.

Agreed. Over the years, I've softened to possess a degree of sympathy for Ireland and would like to think it's indicative of my own maturing. Formerly, I may have thought he owed me (as a supporter) an apology or something childish and boorish like that. He's human, like anyone else, however, and has human frailties, just like anyone else. Who are we to get on our high horses when we know next to nothing about what's really going through the lad's head?


Begs the question, why then was there a meeting between the two parties to begin with?

Set him right, Stutts. :p

[dr_peepee]

Somewhere Dr Peepee is smiling.

Stop speaking like I've passed away!!:)

[pineapple stu]

No more appropriate post for a Stephen Ireland thread!

[DeLorean]

He was Aston Villa supporters' Player of the Season in 2011/2012.

Hang on a minute, when did you start paying heed to these kind of accolades?


Derby are where they are in spite of [Keogh] and not because of him.

Well I have been at Pride Park enough to ascertain that he is not good enough to step up to International football and that would be the consensus of most Derby fans.

He also played every minute of every game for Coventry when they got relegated to League One! [2011-12]


Richard Keogh


Personal Honours

Bristol City (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bristol_City_F.C.)


Young Player of The Year: 2006–07 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006%E2%80%9307_Football_League_One)

Carlisle United (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlisle_United_F.C.)


Player of The Year: 2009–10 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009%E2%80%9310_Football_League_One)

Coventry City (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coventry_City_F.C.)


Player of The Year: 2010–11 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010%E2%80%9311_Coventry_City_F.C._season), 2011–12 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011%E2%80%9312_Coventry_City_F.C._season)
Players' Player of The Year: 2011–12 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011%E2%80%9312_Coventry_City_F.C._season)

Derby County (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derby_County_F.C.)


Player of The Year: 2012–13 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012%E2%80%9313_Derby_County_F.C._season)
Players' Player of The Year: 2012–13 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012%E2%80%9313_Derby_County_F.C._season)
Supporters' Player of The Year: 2012–13 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012%E2%80%9313_Derby_County_F.C._season)

[Stuttgart88]

Begs the question, why then was there a meeting between the two parties to begin with?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Begging_the_question

Pay attention!

[TheOneWhoKnocks]

Hang on a minute, when did you start paying heed to these kind of accolades?




Richard Keogh


Personal Honours

Bristol City (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bristol_City_F.C.)


Young Player of The Year: 2006–07 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2006%E2%80%9307_Football_League_One)

Carlisle United (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlisle_United_F.C.)


Player of The Year: 2009–10 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2009%E2%80%9310_Football_League_One)

Coventry City (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coventry_City_F.C.)


Player of The Year: 2010–11 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2010%E2%80%9311_Coventry_City_F.C._season), 2011–12 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011%E2%80%9312_Coventry_City_F.C._season)
Players' Player of The Year: 2011–12 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2011%E2%80%9312_Coventry_City_F.C._season)

Derby County (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derby_County_F.C.)


Player of The Year: 2012–13 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012%E2%80%9313_Derby_County_F.C._season)
Players' Player of The Year: 2012–13 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012%E2%80%9313_Derby_County_F.C._season)
Supporters' Player of The Year: 2012–13 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2012%E2%80%9313_Derby_County_F.C._season)



I'm just judging Richard Keogh with my own eyes. He did not look like a Premiership or International caliber football any time I have seen him, even on TV. Bristol City and Carlisle aside, Coventry were the worst team in the Championship when he won that accolade so it doesn't really mean much. Two of his Irish teammates alone, David Bell and Stephen O'Halloran are now playing in non league for King's Lynn and Stockport.

Damien Delaney is playing well and keeping clean sheets every week in the Premier League, as are O'Shea and Clark. McShane has looked good whenever he has played this season. Marc Wilson is a fifth player playing CB in the League this season. Paddy McCarthy has come back from injury and made the 25 for Palace with Delaney. Shane Duffy is a realistic option for the future. Richard Dunne is not retiring yet. Alex Pearce is a better player.

No disrespect to Keogh but I don't see why he should get a place in the squad. We are not that short of options.

I apologise for saying it was "the consensus of most fans" if that bothers you so much but every Derby fan on the forum I visited was saying he needs to be replaced. He is playing better, like everyone else, under McClaren. And now the fans are fickle.

As for Ireland, he's a Premier League footballer who won supporters Player of the Year just over one full season ago even though he was supposedly "not playing". I don't know how a comment I made about a journeyman defender a month ago is relevant to my case for Ireland.

[Deckydee]

This is how I feel now....

2043

[DeLorean]

I apologise for saying it was "the consensus of most fans" if that bothers you so much but every Derby fan on the forum I visited was saying he needs to be replaced. He is playing better, like everyone else, under McClaren. And now the fans are fickle.

Yeah the general consensus bit, along with the "in spite of him" bit were the parts I had the main issues with. The fans voted him player of the season pre-McClaren so I don't know how you can call them fickle towards him. Surely a mass vote has more substance than a few comments on a forum. You never did say what brings you to Derby games? Top secret?