Troy Parrott F AZ Alkmaar b.2002

[SkStu]

Robbie Keane wasn't that good.

Give it a rest FFS.

[third policeman]

Be that as it may it still doesn't mean that expecting a striker to develop that can actually score goals. Players like Parrott who can't score are a dime a dozen and it's okay for people to wonder who the next great player will be. Robbie Keane wasn't that good. Nobody really expects the next Roy Keane because he was like a once in a century player for a team like Ireland. Robbie Keane is a once in a generation player. It's a hard one because his record was so good but he was like a Craig Bellamy level player.

I’m not quite 100 but I can think of several midfield players who were at least on a par with Roy Keane. Brady, Giles, Whelan (R) come to mind. I think the Bellamy comparison with Robbie is a little bit unflattering to be honest. His international record is way better. When he played alongside Berbatov at Spurs they were probably perceived as being similar level players. Benitez never really wanted him at Liverpool and I don’t think he got a fair chance, but during his two spells at Spurs I’d be surprised if his goals record wasn’t better than anything Bellllamy managed.

[Diggs246]

If robbie had stuck with one premier league club. There would now be a stand now named after him. He moved around willy nilly Liverpool is only one chapter. Anyone who thinks we will have another robbie in the next 20 years isn't understanding history. Quinn, aldo, Stapleton etc circa 19 International goals. Robbie 68! Its not complicated

[JR89]

Can't even develop strikers that will get 125 PL appearences never mind 125 PL goals but people are hoping the next Robbie is just around the corner. If we develop a decent championship scoring striker we should be delighted never mind a top level PL scorer.

[seanfhear]

Can't even develop strikers that will get 125 PL appearences never mind 125 PL goals but people are hoping the next Robbie is just around the corner. If we develop a decent championship scoring striker we should be delighted never mind a top level PL scorer.

There is even more competition from around the world now ~ So that would make it more difficult in any case.

[JR89]

There is even more competition from around the world now ~ So that would make it more difficult in any case.

Yup, rest of the world moved on with modern times and the flood gates opened allowing young players from all over move to England and the FAI thought English clubs were still gonna develop our players like the good old days.

[samhaydenjr]

It's definitely not impossible that we could produce another striker who has as strong a club career as Keane had. I don't think we'll be producing another one that scores 68 international goals in any of our lifetimes though.

I think this is the best point of view - 125 PL goals in 350 games is excellent but attainable - 68 International goals in 146 appearances is phenomenal. I'm optimistic about the future of our current striking options but not because I think there is somebody comparable to Keane there who will score over 60 goals for us, but because I think there is scope for the youngsters to combine to match the scoring record of Keane and his main striking team-mates through his Ireland career (Quinn's last 4 years, Morrison, Doyle, Long and Walters) - a total of 127. For that, we need 4 forwards capable of scoring 30 goals, or 5 capable of 25, etc. And while that has never happened in Irish football before, I can see it happening now, with so many hugely talented youngsters breaking through at the same time.

I can definitely see Parrott, Obafemi and Idah being able to get 30, we'll see if Connolly can turn things around. The next year should us allow to start really evaluating whether Ferguson, Odubeko and OkoFlex could also be capable of scoring significantly more than Niall Quinn - I'm going to make a bold statement and say that I think Evan Ferguson might be the forward counterpart to Nathan Collins in terms of ability. And, given how awesome his cameos for QPR have been to date, Sinclair Armstrong might also bring something special to the national team. And, now that he appears to have found his scoring boots, even Chiedozie Ogbene could hit 20-30. So between those nine, I think 125 international goals is possible (they're already 5% of the way there!)

[Snapshot]

Sorry Sam, your optimism is admirable but fanciful. There's a lot of hope, hype and best wishes for these guys but I cannot see any of them reaching such heights. Idah has been unlucky with injuries but his performances for Norwich and Ireland simply do not earn that forecast. Parrott the same, lots of promise, a good Scotland goal, a Lithuania face saver and a few at L1 level - but 30 goals for Ireland? Unlikely. And Connolly? - it won't happen, fullstop. Best outside bet is Obafemi if he stays fit and interested - but, again, 30 goals is a big call. Throw in Ogbene and I still doubt their combined total will trouble Keane's record.

[Eirambler]

No, they won't all reach 30. I'd say maybe one might - Parrott might be the best bet as he's already on four. So to get to 30 he'd need to average two goals a year for 13 years which would take him up to 33 years of age. That doesn't seem an unreasonable target for him.

Unfortunately I'd be surprised if all three of Connolly, Obafemi and Idah are all still playing at a high level into their 30s. Injuries are bound to take out one or two of our emerging players as time goes on and both Obafemi and Idah have had their issues already. Connolly has the talent to come back and have a good career but he could as easily be out of the game in three years time if he doesn't turn things around fairly sharpish.

[pineapple stu]

First defeat of the season for Preston - but after eight games, they've two wins (both 1-0), five draws (all 0-0) and one defeat (1-0)

So three goals in eight games. You wonder what the record for going on this sort of run is.

[Snapshot]

First defeat of the season for Preston - but after eight games, they've two wins (both 1-0), five draws (all 0-0) and one defeat (1-0)

So three goals in eight games. You wonder what the record for going on this sort of run is.

What's the problem? Sure our Stephen went seven games without a goal, ramped up 88% fan approval, got himself a nice new contract and a slot on the Late Late. Ryan Lowe just needs more time.

[CSAD]

Genuinely would be better going back to MK Dons…am absolutely dire loan.

Vindicated at least.

[JR89]

Vindicated at least.

MK Dons who are bottom three in League One?

[Jd2793]

Vindicated at least.

strange

[CSAD]

MK Dons who are bottom three in League One?

Or the side that has scored 3 goals in 9…this loan has gone just as bad as we could have expected based on how they play.