Ian Harte

[Murfinator]

The plaudits keep rolling in for him, Named in the Championship team of the year alongside Paddy Kenny and Wes Hoolahan.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/13110874.stm

On current form will find himself in the premiership next season, is arguably playing the best stuff of his career right now. Reading a 10 match winning streak right now and hes turned into their key man.

[TrapAPony]

The plaudits keep rolling in for him, Named in the Championship team of the year alongside Paddy Kenny and Wes Hoolahan.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/13110874.stm


What's funny is that despite Kenny, Harte and Hoolahan making the Championship team of the year, none of them are in Trapattoni's plans.:rolleyes:

[Murfinator]

All 3 could be in the premiership next season, will be a lot more difficult for him to ignore them then.

[dr_peepee]

You would think...

Where has Harte been playing. Centre Half??

There was talk him being fond of the scoops whilst at Sunderland. Wonder if he's giving it a miss....

[Charlie Darwin]

He's been playing left back for Reading when I've seen him.

[Adrock]

Full respect to the Hoolahoop, much underappreciated player.
Apparently St Ledger was in the Championship mugs team, along with Paul Green.

[EastTerracer]

From yesterday's Oirish Daily Mail. Sorry about the formatting.


April 18 (Daily Mail) -- IT HAS been more than four years since Ian Harte last played for the Republic of Ireland and the chances of adding to his 64 caps look slim.
In contrast, the full-back's current club form has been superb. Performing admirably on the Championship's form team, the Reading man's career is definitely back on track.
After his forced exit from Leeds United due to their financial crisis, the Drogheda-born player became largely forgotten about on the international scene when he packed his bags and joined Levante in Spain back in 2004.
The Leeds curse followed Harte back to England three years later as he struggled to settle at a club after brief spells with Sunderland and Blackpool, but he finally landed at Carlisle in League One before earning a move to Reading.
Recognised as the Championship Player of the Month for March, the 33-year-old has been in the form of his life this season, while showing he has certainly not lost his knack of scoring from free- kicks.
More importantly, with Reading now just three points off the automatic promotion places after Saturday's 3-1 win over Leicester City -- their eighth victory in a row -- Harte could be back plying his trade in the Premier League next season at this rate.
Not that Harte assumes that his form will get him back into Ireland manager Giovanni Trappatoni's thoughts, particularly when, much to his bemusement, he has recently been overlooked in favour of Ipswich centre-half Damien Delaney in the left-back position.
Harte's hunch was confirmed by Trapattoni's assistant, Marco Tardelli, last week when Sportsmail quizzed him on Harte's prospects of a recall: 'I saw 10 Reading matches. For [Shane] Long, for [Noel] Hunt, for Ian Harte. Ian Harte is a good player, he's got good quality, but we have young players with the same qualities. We look for the future.'
Of course, Harte, who last played for Ireland in a Euro
2008 qualifier against San Marino in 2007, remains hopeful his exploits are being followed by the Italian.
Nonetheless he insists if he does not receive a call from Trapattoni by the end of next season then he will retire from international football.
'I'm sure Mr Trapattoni will have seen what I've done this season and the goals I've scored,' Harte told Sportsmail. 'I know Alan Kelly, the goalkeeping coach, and I've said to Longey many times when he has gone across to mention my name. I haven't heard anything yet but if I keep putting in some decent performances then I might get a shout.
'I've always thought I'll keep it open while I'm playing.
In League One, it was always difficult but when you're in a team in the Championship that's challenging then you're giving yourself a big shot. Obviously if it doesn't happen this season then I'll have to retire. I'm not getting any younger and to never retire you look a bit of fool, just hanging on and hoping.
'There has to come a day but please God I will get the opportunity. It does looks like he's [Trapattoni] going for a younger team now though. He's got a few old players like Shay [Given], Kevin Kilbane, Robbie Keane and Richard [Dunne], but other than that it's a pretty young team.
'Greg [Cunningham] was playing [at left-back] and there's Kevin Kilbane and [Ciaran] Clark at Villa. Delaney has come in too even though he's been playing centre-half at Ipswich. I'm thinking what do I have to do? It's unbelievable. I think I'll have to play up front with Longey [to get a game]!'
Looking back over his career, Harte believes his move to Levante did not help his chances of finding a club when he came back to England in 2007, as he returned as a 'forgotten man'.
Harte accepted an offer of a oneyear deal from Sunderland manager Roy Keane but it failed to work out after just four months. Trials at Wolves, Sheffield United, Norwegian side Valerenga and Charlton followed as did a short spell at Blackpool. And he pulled out of a move to St Mirren before finally signing for Carlisle.
Harte said: 'When I was at Leeds, we had a great team but unfortunately with what happened there financially, they got rid of everybody and I went to Spain. I spent three years there but I kind of became the forgotten man because unless you're at Real Madrid or Barcelona, managers over here don't know how you're getting on.
'I enjoyed my time over there but when I came back to England I found it difficult to get a club. Obviously Roy signed me at Sunderland but I didn't play too many games and then I kind of went from club to club and on trial again.
'I went to Wolves and Mick McCarthy offered me something there but I didn't think it was great so I didn't take it. Then I went to Blackpool for a few weeks. Simon Grayson signed me on a twomonth contract but then he went to Leeds. The caretaker manager [Tony Parkes] came in and wanted to sign me permanently but the board said no because they already had two other left-backs so I said well it's probably best we terminate the contract so I can look for something else. Then I went to Carlisle.'
Despite the setbacks, Harte does not regret his time in La Liga and is delighted to have now joined a promotion-challenging club such as Reading.
'I don't regret going to Spain because I really enjoyed it,' said Harte. 'It was a great experience. There's not many English [based players] that have gone over there. 'Obviously, [David] Beckham has, [Jonathan] Woodgate and [Michael] Owen.
Jermaine Pennant is probably the most recent but he was over and straight back.
'I went up to Carlisle but I was too good for League One. I scored 18 goals from centre-half and got into the team of the season. Thankfully I got the opportunity to come to such a fantastic club like Reading.
'It would be absolutely amazing if we got promoted but it's a dream. We've got five cup finals. If we can win them we will go up in second place. I'm sure the manager will be given money to spend this summer to strengthen the squad and then who knows?'
As for his own future, Harte, who has one year remaining on his contract, revealed talks have already begun with Reading about a new deal. Royals manager Brian McDermott, no doubt, aware that if his side go up, he will need players with Harte's experience.
'I've got next season but my agent has spoken to the club and they have said they will have a look at it in the summer,'
said Harte, who is Reading's second top scorer behind Shane Long on 12 goals.
'If it doesn't happen, I'm sure if I continue playing well, I'll get an opportunity elsewhere but I'm enjoying myself here.' Should the Royals seal a return to the Premier League, then Harte may well find himself back in the Ireland squad after all.

[Charlie Darwin]

Would be quite an achievement if he worked his way back to the Premier League after all this time. I think he'd be well-deserving of a call up at least for the summer friendlies.

[Dunners]

I would agree he is still a better option at left back than Killer
Paddy Kenny is a qlty keeper
Hoolahan is streets ahead of Keogh

All three deserved to be looked at over the summer

[Dunners]

Another player we should be taking a closer look at is Anthony Gerrard at Hull played U18's for us declared at a very young age while at Everton
Up for player of the season at Hull . Centre half would provide another option playing the best football of his career

[tetsujin1979]

Another player we should be taking a closer look at is Anthony Gerrard at Hull played U18's for us declared at a very young age while at Everton
Up for player of the season at Hull . Centre half would provide another option playing the best football of his career
When he went to claim his passport, he found out he doesn't qualify for us.

[TrapAPony]

When he went to claim his passport, he found out he doesn't qualify for us.

Recently? He doesn't seem to think that.:confused:
http://www.teamtalk.com/championship/6794547/Republic-chance-for-Tigers-star

[SkStu]

When he went to claim his passport, he found out he doesn't qualify for us.

yeah, I also was sure that Gerrard did qualify after all. Was it Wallace you were thinking of the young Everton lad who i believe discovered that way that he didnt qualify?

[Stuttgart88]

I think Tets is right, but also that somewhere it was "established" that he was actually eligible after all.

[tetsujin1979]

did a quick search and, from back in the mists of time (okay, 2005), there's this thread: http://foot.ie/threads/22073-No-Anthony-Gerrard-for-ROI

[DeLorean]

I'm delighted for Harte, I've always liked him. I don't think he ever really got the credit he deserved and he'd be a welcome addition to the Ireland team, let alone squad.

[ifk101]

Agree that his club form merits consideration for a call-up. However we know from past experience that he is quite poor defensively so the question is do we use the limited number of internationals we play each year to bring back a 33 year old into the team or do we look to the future with Clark and Cunningham?

[dr_peepee]

His age isn't the issue for me... Harte (even at his pomp) needs to carried by the centre halves to a degree and we just don't have the quality at centre half to cover him.

[Dunners]

As opposed to Killer who has to be covered by the centres halfs to some degree and covered by the left winger to a lot of degree

[DeLorean]

Exactly Dunners, I don't think that argument carries any weight DP while Kilbane is first choice.

I also think Harte's defensive frailties are, and always were, hugely exaggerated. He has an obvious enough lack of pace alright, but wasn't exposed all that often in a Leeds United or, more importantly, an Irish shirt. That was a seriously good Leeds team that he was a part of and, as we all know, they would have had no problem splashing the millions if they thought he needed replacing.

[dr_peepee]

If Killer had been out of the set up for 3 years I wouldn't be calling for his recall either.

[DeLorean]

I know what your saying, but I don't think it makes any sense to play a League 1, makeshift left back over a Championship (possible PL) specialised left back in great form, and an absolute menace from set-pieces. Players are lasting longer these days, there could be four or five years left in Harte for all we know so I think it would be foolish to close the door on him (and his kind...Delap, Carr, etc.)

[Charlie Darwin]

Harte's problem over the past few years has been his inability to find a club. Now that he's a regular at what is looking increasingly like a Premiership team, he should be able to make the step back up to international football.

[paul_oshea]

Hartes problem has been a low lying, low set fat arse as desrcibed by Paddy Kavannagh in Tarry Flynn. Its being weighing him down and holding him back for years.

[dr_peepee]

I know what your saying, but I don't think it makes any sense to play a League 1, makeshift left back over a Championship (possible PL) specialised left back in great form, and an absolute menace from set-pieces. Players are lasting longer these days, there could be four or five years left in Harte for all we know so I think it would be foolish to close the door on him (and his kind...Delap, Carr, etc.)

Killer is merely benefitting of being the incumbant.. I'm certain his current form wouldn't break him into a sqaud if he'd been absent for a period for any reason, but is apparently enough to keep him there.

Harte is nearly 34 and was slow and indecisive when he was 24 so God only knows how he's moving these days. Harte was voted the best left back in the PL around the time of the 2002 world cup, and we seen how he performed with Stan and Breen. So what I'm saying is, with the right centre halves, Harte has alot to offer. Other wise he's a liability. If we had Kenny Cunnigham and Richie Dunne of 10 years ago I'd have Harte in tomorrow. But with the current lot, No...

[Closed Account 2]

Of course at 34 now there is a chance with the increased experience he might be a better defender than he was at 24... Playing 400 odd games might have taught him when to venture upfield and when to hang back a bit more.

In my green tinted eyes he's in the top 5 free kick takers in the history of the premier league and given the number of free kicks quick dribbling players like Duff, McGeady and to an extent Long or Walters might draw from the opposition I think it would be worth having him in the squad at the very least. Could he really be that exposed by a tired Macedonian right winger in the last 15 mins of the game in Skopje at 0-0?

Few people would have said Graham Kavagnah could have contributed much in 2004-2006, but he was a good player for us for 10 or so games at the twilight of his career, and he was only a year younger than Harte is now.

[Charlie Darwin]

Killer is merely benefitting of being the incumbant.. I'm certain his current form wouldn't break him into a sqaud if he'd been absent for a period for any reason, but is apparently enough to keep him there.

Harte is nearly 34 and was slow and indecisive when he was 24 so God only knows how he's moving these days. Harte was voted the best left back in the PL around the time of the 2002 world cup, and we seen how he performed with Stan and Breen. So what I'm saying is, with the right centre halves, Harte has alot to offer. Other wise he's a liability. If we had Kenny Cunnigham and Richie Dunne of 10 years ago I'd have Harte in tomorrow. But with the current lot, No...
Huh? Richard Dunne is an immeasurably better player than he was 10 years ago. Hell, he only became a first choice defender for Ireland 4 years ago.

[tetsujin1979]

Harte being interviewed on NewsTalk soon

[dr_peepee]

Huh? Richard Dunne is an immeasurably better player than he was 10 years ago. Hell, he only became a first choice defender for Ireland 4 years ago.

That's why I stuck him beside Cunningham in my hypothetical Irish example of a partnership to cover Harte failings. 10 years ago Dunne was far more mobile and Nimble..

[BonnieShels]

Harte being interviewed on NewsTalk soon

How did that go down?

[tetsujin1979]

it's on their listen back service: http://media.newstalk.ie/listenback
Scroll down to Off The Ball -> Wednesday 20th April -> Part 3
Interview starts at 39 minutes

[Murfinator]

Interesting interview.

Speaks about keeping his head down, that he's hoping Trap is noticing him. Although he's had no contact the way he's speaking seemed to indicate he is expecting to get an opportunity before too long.

[BonnieShels]

Cheers Tets. Will give it a listen. Oddly, I was having a conversation last night in the pub about Hartey and the amount of positive things being said by the lads was unexpected and quite something.
Really hope it happens for him.

[Noelys Guitar]

Getting clapped by Leeds fans everytime he takes a corner. Excellent distribution but still looks vunerable when one on one defending.

[Murfinator]

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/harte-trap-didnt-even-know-i-was-irish-2660623.html

Harte: Trap didn't even know I was Irish


Ian Harte has delivered a wounding attack on Giovanni Trapattoni's time as Ireland manager, describing the Italian's failure to attend matches in England as "absolute madness".

Harte, capped 63 times by Ireland, claimed Trapattoni was unaware that he was Irish when the manager was informed by an international team-mate of his availability.

Harte's comments come at the end of another difficult week for Trapattoni when he became embroiled in a battle with Wigan's James McCarthy and Stoke's Marc Wilson about their availability.

Trapattoni and his assistant Marco Tardelli claimed the players hadn't shown respect to their country last week. This was backed up by captain Robbie Keane, who declared the behaviour of the absent players "unacceptable" and warned: "If you don't want to play for us, don't declare for us."

But, talking to the Sunday Independent, Harte said respect was a two-way street.

"I'd love the opportunity to go over and play for Ireland, I'm not even getting a chance, not a sniff, to even join up and have a training session. Lack of respect? I think they should show respect to someone who wants to put the green shirt on, who is Irish and who is passionate about playing for his own country -- then they can have a look deeper inside."

Harte will line out for Reading in the Championship play-off final at Wembley tomorrow, alongside Noel Hunt and Shane Long, but he claimed the Irish management are unaware of his credentials.

"I was speaking to a player recently and he said he spoke to the manager and the assistant manager and they said they didn't even know that I was Irish, so obviously they haven't done their homework.

"I've played 63 times and scored 11 goals and you would think the people that are still involved around the set-up would have told them. It just goes to show that they don't even come across to have a look at any games that I've played.

"They're bringing players like Simon Cox in who has made his debut and other players as well, so it's pretty frustrating that he doesn't bother coming over."

Harte felt his World Cup appearances for Ireland in 2002 should at least have brought him to the attention of the manager, who was in charge of the Italian national side at the time.

"What were they doing, sampling the vino out in Italy? It's pretty mad. You would think that with the amount of games I've played for my country, I would at least get an opportunity, especially with the season we've had here."

Harte said Trapattoni's reputation should not be enough to spare him from criticism.

"Yeah but what have Ireland done since he took over? He's on a lot of money. People are saying he's done well but Mick McCarthy got Ireland to a World Cup."

The full-back, who hasn't given up hope of playing for Ireland again, said the manager must start attending matches rather than watch them on DVD in Milan.

"It's absolute madness. If the majority of players are playing in England, which they are, he needs to come and watch games like any manager, like [Fabio] Capello, like any decent manager is going to do. That's what he's got to do."

[Fixer82]

I agree with Harte but best of luck to him getting called up after that rant. Il Duce Trap won't like that. I guess Harte's reasoning in saying it is what has he got to lose by coming out and speaking his mind..

[Murfinator]

I agree the rant won't do him any favours. But if what he says its true its ridiculous, defies believe your average forum poster seemingly has more knowledge about the Irish camp than the actual management.

Must be especially annoying for Harte to hear about all the drop outs and no shows this week, complaints from the management about commitment while he's arguably playing better than most of them to begin with and would give his left arm for a callup. I'd be infuriated if I was in his position.

[Fixer82]

I agree the rant won't do him any favours. But if what he says its true its ridiculous, defies believe your average forum poster seemingly has more knowledge about the Irish camp than the actual management.

Must be especially annoying for Harte to hear about all the drop outs and no shows this week, complaints from the management about commitment while he's arguably playing better than most of them to begin with and would give his left arm for a callup. I'd be infuriated if I was in his position.

Once he doesn't give his left foot ;)

[Fixer82]

I agree the rant won't do him any favours. But if what he says its true its ridiculous, defies believe your average forum poster seemingly has more knowledge about the Irish camp than the actual management.

Must be especially annoying for Harte to hear about all the drop outs and no shows this week, complaints from the management about commitment while he's arguably playing better than most of them to begin with and would give his left arm for a callup. I'd be infuriated if I was in his position.

Once he doesn't give his left foot ;)

[Drumcondra 69er]

I agree the rant won't do him any favours. But if what he says its true its ridiculous, defies believe your average forum poster seemingly has more knowledge about the Irish camp than the actual management.

Must be especially annoying for Harte to hear about all the drop outs and no shows this week, complaints from the management about commitment while he's arguably playing better than most of them to begin with and would give his left arm for a callup. I'd be infuriated if I was in his position.

Can't believ it's true given this quote from months back in the mail..... Alan Kelly played with Harte for Ireland, it's beyond the bounds to think he wouldn't have mentioned him....

"Harte's hunch was confirmed by Trapattoni's assistant, Marco Tardelli, last week when Sportsmail quizzed him on Harte's prospects of a recall: 'I saw 10 Reading matches. For [Shane] Long, for [Noel] Hunt, for Ian Harte. Ian Harte is a good player, he's got good quality, but we have young players with the same qualities. We look for the future.'
Of course, Harte, who last played for Ireland in a Euro
2008 qualifier against San Marino in 2007, remains hopeful his exploits are being followed by the Italian.
Nonetheless he insists if he does not receive a call from Trapattoni by the end of next season then he will retire from international football.
'I'm sure Mr Trapattoni will have seen what I've done this season and the goals I've scored,' Harte told Sportsmail. 'I know Alan Kelly, the goalkeeping coach, and I've said to Longey many times when he has gone across to mention my name. I haven't heard anything yet but if I keep putting in some decent performances then I might get a shout."

[Noelys Guitar]

I can remember watching an interview when Tardelli mentioned Harte when talking about Long and Reading. Harte has every right to be ****ed off at being ignored as he is playing very well but if the management don't rate him then thats it. I watched him against Leeds recently and his general play was good but he still has a real problem defending headers. Maybe thats why he was not selected.

[CraftyToePoke]

I've said to Longey many times when he has gone across to mention my name. I haven't heard anything yet but if I keep putting in some decent performances then I might get a shout."

Looks to me like 'Longey' has done a sweetie of a wind up on 'Hartey'

Hartey : Did you mention me Longey, did you mention me to Trap?
Longey : I did, of course I did, Hartey but he said he has never heard of you.... Never.

[legendz]

Trap isn't putting in the effort a manager should. Stan the muppet did travel and go to loads of games though, it didn't do him much good. It's nearing the time for Mick McCarthy to return anyways. If Trap isn't the man to lead us to the next World Cup, McCarthy is the only manager the likes of Given, Dunne, Duff and Keane will really play for with passion and drive.

[Kingdom]

Trap isn't putting in the effort a manager should. Stan the muppet did travel and go to loads of games though, it didn't do him much good. It's nearing the time for Mick McCarthy to return anyways. If Trap isn't the man to lead us to the next World Cup, McCarthy is the only manager the likes of Given, Dunne, Duff and Keane will really play for with passion and drive.

I wouldn't want Harte in a squad, regardless of who the manager is.

As for the next manager, at World Cup 2014, it's not going to be a concern of Duff, Dunne or Keane, they won't be there.

[Murfinator]

Can you name 3 left backs playing regularly for their clubs in that position, at the same or higher level than Harte? You must be able to if you don't think hes worthy of consideration for the Squad.

I know club form isn't everything but I don't think we're in a position to dismiss the voted best left back in the championship as not good enough for even a squad place. Personally I'd start him at LB on current form, I accept that may not be a view shared by everyone but I couldn't understand anyone who'd dismiss him and not consider him in the mix for a squad place considering our current dirth of LB talent.

Not to mention the prospect of having one of the best free kick takers in the world at our disposal.

[Murfinator]

I wouldn't want Harte in a squad, regardless of who the manager is.

As for the next manager, at World Cup 2014, it's not going to be a concern of Duff, Dunne or Keane, they won't be there.

If Kilbane at 34 and in League One is still in our starting lineup its a safe bet that when the campaign starts for the world cup in 2012 a 32 year old Keane, Dunne and a 33 year old Duff will have no problems whatsoever to be key members of the squad. You make me laugh, sir.

[dr_peepee]

Harte's right to be offended if the existing Manager doesn't know he's Irish. Assuming it's true which is highly likely. He's also right with the dig at Trapp for not going to games in the UK....

Don't think he warrants a call up though

[Jicked]

Why do people believe that Trap doesn't know Harte is Irish. Do you really think he knows that Simon Cox, Paul Green and Caleb Folan are, but not Ian Harte who played in our last World Cup, despite playing with several Irish players? It's complete bull****, whether it be from Harte or the press.

Harte could never defend when he was younger. For a team of our quality who will be under the kosh for x amount of any given game, carrying a 34 year old dodgy defender for his attacking or free kick taking ability would be ridiculous.

[Murfinator]

Hes 33, and he's a substantially better defender than Kilbane. Theres a statistic for Reading showing the number of clean sheets they've kept this season are considerably less when hes not playing.

[Stuttgart88]

The first half of Jicked's post stacks up. It'd be simply astonishing if Trap and his entourage (Givens :(, Martin et al) had not considered Harte. Geysir has quoted Tardelli on the issue.

I personally think he has made a value judgment that Killer, Cunningham, Clark and now Ward, not to mention Delaney or O'Dea, are the left backs he's going to work with. I defend all managers' rights to make value judgments even if I don't agree with them.