Ian Harte

[DeLorean]

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.

As opposed to playing a left sided League 1 midfielder there, also 34, who has made countless errors there over the past year or two, some very costly? I do agree that Trap undoubtedly knows who he is though.

[Charlie Darwin]

We have a quote from Tardelli a year ago discussing Harte. It seems faulty communication is as rife in the Reading camp as it is in Malahide.

I would dispute Tardelli's assertion that we have younger players with the same qualities as Harte. As far as I know we don't have any left fulls who can score goals, take brilliant set-pieces and display such a range of passing. It's his lack of athleticism and concentration I'd have a problem with.

[geysir]

If Harte were to be called up to the squad, the rest of the players would get unlimited milage out of his wind up potential.


edit - they probably wouldn't even notice he was there.

[Noelys Guitar]

Taxi for Harte re Swansea's second goal. Running in treacle.

[boovidge]

him against wallcott or lennon would be entertaining. doesn't look like happpening at the moment.

[Yard of Pace]

Taxi for Harte re Swansea's second goal. Running in treacle.

Yeah, that was pretty horrible. I think that's the end of his international aspirations.

[Noelys Guitar]

oh Dear. Brendan Rodgers has done his homework on Harte.

[Stuttgart88]

Was that Harte just skinned for the 3rd goal? My PC is the other end of the room, and saw a left back getting skinned. but couldn't see if it was Harte.

Some finish. Reading are fcuked now.

[Sullivinho]

Harte and Khizanishvili... They're like the 'Blues Brothers 2000' to Nesta and Cannavaro's original aren't they?

[Noelys Guitar]

Was that Harte just skinned for the 3rd goal? My PC is the other end of the room, and saw a left back getting skinned. but couldn't see if it was Harte.

Some finish. Reading are fcuked now.

Harte was caught out of position up near the halfway line and couldn't get back. Very noticeable right from the start of the game that Swansea targetted Reading's left hand side.

[Stuttgart88]

Dion Fanning and Richie Sadlier joint email to The Indo's HR dept:

Can I have a few weeks off please? Need to keep a low profile for a bit.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Just as well it wasn't the current incumbent either....

Bad news for Irish left-backs & play-offs this w/e.

[TrapAPony]

Great header from Hunt!!

[Charlie Darwin]

I don't think Harte was targeted specifically. The entire backline is short on pace. Griffin got skinned a good few times too, and neither Mills nor Kizinizza has any pace either. They rely on Kebe and McAnuff to cover the full backs but Kebe wasn't fit and McAnuff got himself a stupid booking.

[elroy]

BBC 5 live summariser Robbie Savage: "Incredible couple of minutes. What we saw there for the second goal is Ian Harte's lack of pace. Stephen Dobbie was five yards behind him but he beat Harte to the ball and rolled it across for Scott Sinclair."

[Kingdom]

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.

If you spent less time being an ass, sir, and more time reading what others type, we'd fair far better. At World cup 2014, like I said, Mr Dunne will be a couple months shy of 35, Mr Duff will be a couple months past 35, while Master Keane will be 34. If all 3 are still key members of our squad, I'll make a donation to the charity of your choice.
More so, if all 3 are still key members of our squad, and by extension the team, then I'll suggest we won't be at World Cup 2014, as Father Time will have caught up with us, and made an example.

Kevin Kilbane has a couple of attributes Ian Harte has never had - pace and ability in the air. In a time of relative shorties, he's a giant, and offers a tremendous amount defensively and offensively at set pieces.

I'm glad I amuse you.

[Kingdom]

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.

Depends on what you want in the composition of a squad. Personally I wouldn't have three left backs in any squad, for friendly, qualifier or tournament. 3 keepers is par, and I wouldn't bring more than 8 defenders, particularily when so many of them are versatile, and Coleman can be an emergency full back if necessary. This would allow (in a 23man squad) 12 players to be chosen for midfield and defence.
If all things were equal, presently, with everyone available for selection and fit, this would be my defensive "unit" of a squad:


Given, Westwood, Kenny
Foley, Ward, Dunne, O'Shea, St Ledger, Clark, Wilson

So in a sense, yes I have shown who I feel is ahead of Harte in the pecking order; Marc Wilson and Stephen Ward - both playing regularily at a level above Ian Harte in the same position. Ward was usurped by Elokobi, I'm prepared for that retort, while Wilson, sure he is only there as a consequence of Danny Higginbotham being injured. Given that there is a pressing need for youth, Only for a nasty leg break, I believe Greg Cunningham would have proven to be a very decent full back, while Stephen O'Halloran if he can remain fit, may follow up on the promise he showed during the trip to the States in 07.

Do we need harte in a squad, or more importantly in the team purely because of his free kicks? We've got a couple of players who are pretty decent over the deadball as it stands.

[ifk101]

"Trapattoni finished his discussion of the Drogheda native with what appeared to be an insult in Italian. "He doesn't like Harte," was Manuela's diplomatic translation." :bigsmile:

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/trap-sticks-to-guns-after-harte-dvd-jibes-2661494.html

[Stuttgart88]

In fairness, Trap's retort that when he does go to watch Irish players, they don't even play or only get 10 minutes certainly has a ring of truth and good reasoning to it! The first half of this season in England was unbelievable.

[BonnieShels]

In fairness, Trap's retort that when he does go to watch Irish players, they don't even play or only get 10 minutes certainly has a ring of truth and good reasoning to it! The first half of this season in England was unbelievable.

When I was reading his reply I caught myself going "DUH", this is why he's one of the most successful managers of all time and we are on the internet commenting about his ways.

[Murfinator]

If you spent less time being an ass, sir, and more time reading what others type, we'd fair far better. At World cup 2014, like I said, Mr Dunne will be a couple months shy of 35, Mr Duff will be a couple months past 35, while Master Keane will be 34. If all 3 are still key members of our squad, I'll make a donation to the charity of your choice.
More so, if all 3 are still key members of our squad, and by extension the team, then I'll suggest we won't be at World Cup 2014, as Father Time will have caught up with us, and made an example.

Kevin Kilbane has a couple of attributes Ian Harte has never had - pace and ability in the air. In a time of relative shorties, he's a giant, and offers a tremendous amount defensively and offensively at set pieces.

I'm glad I amuse you.

I'll hold you to that because I think all 3 of them will be there. While theres no guarantee we'll qualify for anything I can assure you all 3 will be key members of the qualification squad. As will Shay Given who you didn't mention but I'll assume hes in the same "put out to pasture" bracket in your mind. We just simply don't have younger better players than them. 34/35 is coming towards the end of ones career but its not uncommon for quality players to still be first choice for their club and country at that age.

After all, all of them are over 30 right now and are understandably still the first names on our team sheets. Do you expect such a dramatic decline in 2-3 years? Those guys could be playing in the championship and still be starters for us, we don't have better. They have some way to fall before they're in danger of losing relevancy to the international team, they're nowhere near that.

[Murfinator]

"Trapattoni finished his discussion of the Drogheda native with what appeared to be an insult in Italian. "He doesn't like Harte," was Manuela's diplomatic translation." :bigsmile:

http://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/trap-sticks-to-guns-after-harte-dvd-jibes-2661494.html

I fully agree with trap on the DVD comment, I don't understand people who insist managers be in various stadia every saturday afternoon. Managers who do that seem to be there for PR reasons more than anything else.

I am sorry to hear Traps words that seem to indicate Hartes international career is over, I think he has something to offer us. Also on Lee Carsley, for a man hes never called up he seems to talk about him press conferences an awful lot.

[SwanVsDalton]

I am sorry to hear Traps words that seem to indicate Hartes international career is over, I think he has something to offer us. Also on Lee Carsley, for a man hes never called up he seems to talk about him press conferences an awful lot.

I think it's a name that's got stuck in his head after getting thrown a lot in early press conferences, he tends to throw it out automatically when vaguely answering questions on squad selection.

[RiffRaff]

I think it's a name that's got stuck in his head after getting thrown a lot in early press conferences, he tends to throw it out automatically when vaguely answering questions on squad selection.

Or maybe he can't think of the names of any other Irish players who didnt make the squad? :)

[Kingdom]

I'll hold you to that because I think all 3 of them will be there. While theres no guarantee we'll qualify for anything I can assure you all 3 will be key members of the qualification squad. As will Shay Given who you didn't mention but I'll assume hes in the same "put out to pasture" bracket in your mind.

I see you've added mind-reading as one of your abilities on foot.ie

I've never referenced the quals, just the finals.
I didn't name Given, because goalkeepers are a different breed. So no, he's not in the same bracket as the others.


We just simply don't have younger better players than them. 34/35 is coming towards the end of ones career but its not uncommon for quality players to still be first choice for their club and country at that age.

We don't have younger, better players than them now. A week is a long time in football, never mind 16 months, which is the time we have till our first qualifier, or 3 years, to the finals themselves, which I was referring.
In terms of the WCQ's yes, there is a good chance they will still be key squad players. My own suspicion is that if we qualify for the Euro's 1 of them will retire, Duff. All 3 might decide that's that they've made a major finals again and they'll ride out on a high. Or all 3 might decide that there is enough in the tank to have one final campaign and aim for Rio.
Conversely, if we fail to qualify for the Euro's, and that's just as likely unfortunately, all three might decide thats enough and call it quits. Also the chances are that if we don't qualify, a new mgmt team comes in, and there could be an overhaul of the squad.

I'd say Dunne probably will target the World Cup given he was instrumental in qualifying us in 2002 but didn't feature in the finals themselves. But, he has struggled with injury for a while now, and his poor start to the season, amongst other things, has to have been his lack of pre-season recuperating from the injury and for a while has played through the pain-barrier for us. And to be fair as quick as a players form can turn, a transfer can transform a player for the good too. There are players coming through - Duffy, O'Dea, Wilson, Clark - added to O'Shea and Ledger, that in time will lead to Dunne being a past legend.

I totally support that Dunne, Duff and Keane are mainstays of the team now, but I just don't believe that any of them will be first choice in the time period mentioned.
Robbie has struggled for game time recently, for a variety of reasons, and that was as big a reason for us not getting the 3 points in Zilina, and any repeat of that time period kicking his heels just wouldn't be acceptable - everyone is idolised to a point, but when a player loses the je ne sais quoi that has him the jersey in the first place, then sentimentality cannot be tolerated.


After all, all of them are over 30 right now and are understandably still the first names on our team sheets. Do you expect such a dramatic decline in 2-3 years? Those guys could be playing in the championship and still be starters for us, we don't have better. They have some way to fall before they're in danger of losing relevancy to the international team, they're nowhere near that.

You're putting words into my mouth and creating an argument that has no place here - I've not stated anywhere that in danger of losing relevancy to the int team.
As it stands we play a rigid 442. A change of manager, added to the bedding in of the future int players, could mean a 451 or 4231 would be even more suited to the players in the squad (McCaerthy, Clifford, Brady, McGeady, Long, Doyle, Sheridan etc) and in that regard, that would have a big effect on the current pensioners ;)

in summary Murfinator, I've no issue with the points you raise, they're as fanciful as mine are, I just am trying to play devils advocate, I don't believe it's a simple case of "they're still around - they will be key".

[Murfinator]

Fair enough, just raising my points since I see a lot of people here and elsewhere cut players prospects short based on age without any context. Keane/Dunne/Duff all have one thing in common in that they were all on the brink of being world class players at club level yet didn't quite make it falling out of favour at top clubs in Liverpool/Man City/Chelsea. They're still fantastic players but the stage where they really achieved this was internationally, all 3 will go down as being far more recognisable for their impact on Ireland than their respective clubs.
For that reason I think they'll all be eager to prolong their international career as long as possible, unlike most other players their entire career identity revolves around Ireland. I'm not so optimistic the young players coming through can replace, particularly after seeing some of their antics in the past week I definitely don't see some of those players having the same passion for Ireland regardless how they progress at club level.

[theworm2345]

Cracking free kick there from Harte, about 25 yards out right in the middle of the pitch. Harte steps up with his trusty left foot, curls it around the wall and just inside Steele's right hand post...2-0. I think its actually his first goal of the season.

[the bear]

just saw it on motd , great goal. got me thinking that a free kick specialist is something we are desperatley in need of as goals might be hard to come by for us in the euros. now back when harte was playing he infuriated me with his sluggish defending, but then so can ward. so i'm thinkin if your gonna have a crap left back, why not bring one whos likely to score from any freekick we get?

[Colbert Report]

I'm not sure El Trappo would be too impressed with Harte's fitness levels.

[geysir]

It's not that he is unfit, he just likes to conserve his energy.

[the bear]

It's not that he is unfit, he just likes to conserve his energy.
does he conserve it all in his big arse

[theworm2345]

Goal Harte! Leigertwood heads back to McAnuff who, about 25 yards out, cracks a thunderous shot off the keeper's left hand post, then all the way across the line and off the keeper's right hand post, before bouncing out to Harte who is standing all alone about 6 yards outs, on the right edge of the 6 yard box. Harte slams it past Gilks with his right foot (nearly hit the keeper though).

EDIT: Just got an assist on their third after his free kick picked out Leigertwood who headed home.

[theworm2345]

Another goal for Harte to make it 3-1 to Reading in their promotion showdown with West Ham. Abdoulaye Faye took down Noel Hunt in the box, Harte stepped up and sent the keeper the wrong way, placing the penalty low to the keeper's right.

Hunt scored earlier but the stream wasn't working at that point so I missed it.

[theworm2345]

Reading up

[Drumcondra 69er]

Reading up

Harte delivery for the goal apparently....

[gilberto_eire]

Reading up


Reading up on what exactly?...... :P

[drummerboy]

Great for Reading but I fear we won't seen Harte in the Premiership next season.

[theworm2345]

Great for Reading but I fear we won't seen Harte in the Premiership next season.
I fear you are very very wrong...I would bet he will start the season as their first choice left back. After that we'll have to see though.

[gastric]

I fear you are very very wrong...I would bet he will start the season as their first choice left back. After that we'll have to see though.

As Harte has never been able to run, age will not have slowed him down. However, his shortcomings will be quickly tested in the Premiership.

[drummerboy]

He has done remarkable well over the last 2 seasons, when you consider he had dropped to League 1 with Carlisle a while back. He is notoriously slow, a lot slower than his last appearance in the Premier League. He was shown up a few times last season. IMO there is no way he could possibly command a place in Readings team next season. McDermott is a bright young manager who values Harte's excellent dead ball deliveries but I fear even he, would not expose Ian to the Premier League next season.

[Carrigaline]

I fear you are very very wrong...I would bet he will start the season as their first choice left back. After that we'll have to see though.
His contract expires at the end of the season.

[Charlie Darwin]

He has done remarkable well over the last 2 seasons, when you consider he had dropped to League 1 with Carlisle a while back. He is notoriously slow, a lot slower than his last appearance in the Premier League. He was shown up a few times last season. IMO there is no way he could possibly command a place in Readings team next season. McDermott is a bright young manager who values Harte's excellent dead ball deliveries but I fear even he, would not expose Ian to the Premier League next season.
Are Premier League players any quicker than those in the Championship? He'll struggle against the likes of Lennon and Silva, but then again everybody does.

[drummerboy]

Are Premier League players any quicker than those in the Championship? He'll struggle against the likes of Lennon and Silva, but then again everybody does.

Yes, most clubs would have players who would cause Ian to struggle. I'd love to see Ian get another go at the top level, but like I said, I have my doubts. I'm sure there are plenty of Championship clubs who would like to sign him.

[DannyInvincible]

Ian Harte was named in the Championship 'Team of the Year' this evening for the second year running.

Mark Noble, also eligible for us, was included as well.

[DeLorean]

He was involved in both Reading's goals at the weekend also. Not direct assists but took the corner for the first goal and a smart quick free kick for the second.

[DannyInvincible]

I'm assuming Trap knows who he is now. I haven't seen him play at all this season but it's a shame he's been ignored over the past two seasons given the extremely positive reviews. I suppose it's too late to hope he'd be considered for the Euros preparation games.

[Colbert Report]

He's an excellent free kick taker, up there with the best in the world, but I don't think he's Trap's type of player due to his obvious weaknesses in terms of positioning and simple defensive ability. It'd be great for Harte if football was like the NFL where you can bring on a kicker just to take kicks and then sub him off again right away.

[Stuttgart88]

I'd do the same with Trap. Bring him along for the away games, put Mick in charge for the home games!

[geysir]

It's good when a player who spent years bringing his boots in his duffel bag around various grounds, trying to get a game but left ignored on the sidelines, makes his way back up to being the player of the year in his position. I suppose Harte really takes exception to being ignored.

[DeLorean]

I'm a big Harte fan and would liked to have seen him drafted in over the past season or two. That said, the ship has definitely sailed at this stage. I am a bit worried about Ward at left back though. I'd much prefer if John O'Shea played there with Stephen Kelly right back. I was looking for the Stephen Kelly thread there actually and eventually found it on the eight page! Strange for a guy who has performed so well this season.