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I think Newcastle might survive, have no reason to think it really its just a feeling, but either way Id love to see Duff outta there next season. Id kinda like to see him link up with Robbie at Spurs, I still think hes good enough for a decent club if the right manager can get the best outta them
Maik Taylor was sent off yesterday so Doyle may get a short run in the team now.
A mate met Stephen McPhail before Christmas and he says he still hopes for a call up. I don't fancy his chances but I think he was named in the original Portugal training group.
West Brom, Newcastle and Stoke are the best teams to go down. Duff will move and I don't expect Whelan would be too affected by being relegated. He's not playing all the time anyway.
Whelan didn't play much at the start of the season, but is now almost always in the starting XI. To say he's not playing all the time is simply inaccurate.Quote:
Originally Posted by Umberside
3 of Stoke's current midfield 4 are Irish (Whelan, Delap and Lawrence have all started the last 5 games, with 3 wins and a draw). Surely you'd rather Middlesbrough go down? :confused:Quote:
Originally Posted by Umberside
Mooney at Reading currently on loan with Norwich
He's lost the captaincy due to his lack of discipline in big games and was originally dropped for about 10-12 games but he has come back in to the team in the last month and a half and has been very impressive alongside Joe Ledley who incidently has replaced him as captain and also Gavin Rae has returned tot he team to partner McPhail with Ledley moving to the wing.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ciaran
Does it really matter what division these lads are playing in?
I mean, as long as they're playing football well week in, week out, then it doesn't really matter what division they're playing in.
Also, with the way the team's set up at the mo, I'd say it'd be more beneficial for Irish players to be playing regularly in a Championship side (which is more physical, from what I've seen) than being in and out of a Premiership side.
Yeah, but for sake of argument, it's obvious that PcPhail is a more cultured footballer than most in the Championship. So just because that's where he plays shouldn't disqualify him from selection.
I'm largely in aggreement with superfrank, though I'd qualify it by saying that I'm happy enough with our players being at the better Championship clubs and as long as the Irish team isn't dependent on lower division players. At the moment I think we've got a decent mix. Ideally we'd have everyone playing regularly in the PL (or top flight elsewhere - that old chestnut).
Do you even watch the Irish team??:confused:Quote:
Originally Posted by Ciaran
Ireland has a small pool of players to pick from. The majority of which at the moment play in the championship.
At the moment Ireland has only one truly top class player & that is Shay Given. Beyond that you have a few playing regular premiership
football like Duff, Dunne, Keane, O' Shea, Kilbane
You couldn't even name a Irish XI of permiership players playing regular first team football so to rule out championship players is frankly idiotic
Nonsense. There's not even two regular Irish goalkeepers.
For the sake of argument - im going to try put together a current Irish team playing regularly in the Premier League or in a Champs League team (in McGeadys case);
Given
McShane Dunne O'Shea Kilbane
McGeady Whelan Andrews Duff
Keane Folan
Ive highlighted Folan and McShane cause they're not regulars in the Premier League but we've no other options. Maybe Wilson with Portsmouth? Could also put Stephen Reid into 5 man midfield and play Keane on his own up front.
I wonder if some young fringe players at the bigger clubs, (like Gibson at United for example) will make it into the regular first-team set-up, or will they look elsewhere for regular football. I read somewhere that Gibson was content at United, but in reality, he'd need to be playing more first-team football if he is to further his development. It would help at least.
Knock yourself out: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroa...Details.xqueryQuote:
Originally Posted by Ciaran
:confused::)Quote:
Originally Posted by Ciaran
in team B, you have delap twice..and treacy,s.kelly,d.murphy,gibson and andy reid arent exactly regulars either, they're all in and out of their teamsQuote:
Originally Posted by Ciaran
edit - same goes for mcshane and folan.
Eh Delap twice as already pointed out, but didn't O'Brien retire and have you convinced ******** to play for his country again???Quote:
Originally Posted by Ciaran
Reid is a regular more or less, and Treacy was at stages this seasonQuote:
Originally Posted by richieos
Reid has been an almost ever present since Sbragia's appointment, but it would be a stretch to call Treacy a regular- he is very much in and out of Blackburn's team, but he is regularly in the squad.Quote:
Originally Posted by Razors left peg
Andy O'Brien has retired from international football.Quote:
Originally Posted by Ciaran
Darren Gibson is only a regular in the carling cup reserve/kids team
Stephen Ireland ?
Stephen Kelly has played 3 games for stoke (only started 1)