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...and his mother is from Drumshambo, Leitrim which makes you wonder why he's not playing for us. He has represented England at U-17, 18 and 19 level, as well as being called up to the U-21 squad. Good article here about Ciaran Clark.Quote:
Originally Posted by cestlavie
http://www.donegaldemocrat.ie/donega...ine.5890651.jp
Best has an ankle injury that's kept him out of the past 3 or 4 Newcastle games. Folan seems to be unwanted by everyone at the moment - there's obviously some personality issue there that's had him fall out with so many coaches.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
Stokes is an odd one - the only plausible reason I can think of is that Trap/Tardelli knew he was unlikely to play and, given that these games will be his last for the U-21s, figured they might as well leave him out.
Ciaran Clarke is English unless he says otherwise. I'm sure most of us have cousins and relatives born in England who don't automatically consider themselves Irish.
No one is saying that KK or McS are the future, Trap is offering the opinion that they're the best we have at present - which is open to debate I agree. I hate this nonsense that the squad we pick now is the future. It's not - it's the squad to play 2 games next month. Let the U21s play their way into the senior squad. For too long we have neglected the obvious path to developing the future, craeting negativity all around. Now that there's just a glimmer that the U21s might be turning a corner there are complaints that we're not neglecting them again. I don't get it.Quote:
Originally Posted by cestlavie
Surely Cunningham being fast tracked into the senior set up is looking to the future anyway?
And where is there any suggestion that we are about to lose McCarthy? He's in the U21s FFS. He's 19.
Its funny, just 2 years ago Folan was talked about like he would be a mainstay for years to come....go read some Folan comments from that time. (I questioned it.) What a difference 2 years make. I realize he was hurt but at some point you are no longer hurt and you can come back, no? Is he hurt forever?
He wouldn't be the first injury-prone footballer - Jonathan Woodgate, Michael Owen, Sick-note all spring to mind. It does seem like Trap may have lost patience with him somewhere along the way though (and, as you say, he was never seriously going to overtake Robbie or Doyler in the starting eleven). I do think he would be a better option than Sheridan though if we need the backup plan of knocking long balls up the field.Quote:
Originally Posted by Crosby87
According to http://www.hull.vitalfootball.co.uk/...e.asp?a=209520 Folan got injured in the warmup for Hull's first league game and had not recovered before last week's second game.
On reflection the only real disappointment for me is that Marc Wilson (subject to interest, or more specifically "tapping up", from Avram Grant at West Ham I heard during the week) hasn't made this squad. Trap doesn't seem to take squad withdrawals kindly, even if they are down to injury.
Could you elaborate? I'm not so sure that Trapattoni would be one to hold injury-related withdrawal against players. Isn't it possible that Wilson simply hasn't done enough to merit a place in the squad?Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
Of course - perhaps I should have said that untried players who withdraw from friendly squads through injury tend not to get picked for competitive squads. Ward & Wilson both spring to mind, and in my opinion both are probably good enough to be included - Wilson in particular given his versatility.
Nothing less than 6 points from these 2 games or we can forget qualifying. There is so little between ourselves, Slovakia and Russia that any slips up will mean a horrilbe scrap for a second place in this group. The main worry as ever will be injuries to key players. The thought of McShane, Kilbane or Keogh (who was woeful for Wolves last week when he came on) starting fills me with dread.
St. Ledger starts today according to BBC website. We need him to be back fit or else it's possible BOTH McShane and KK will be starting. If only Foley had played well against Nigeria...
Ah, I see where you're coming from now. I do find it strange that Trap persists in selecting players such as Cunningham, who hasn't featured much at all for Man City's first team, while he overlooks players like Ward, who has been featuring regularly for Wolves over the past few seasons.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
Watched the Everton v Wolves game today. Ward, Foley and Doyle all played well. Of the three Ward was excellent. Watch his last defender tackle on Beckford later on. Class tackle. Doyle looked like he needed the game. Made the goal with a very clever along the ground ball from the right wing. Foley played well. He had the excellent Baines coming at him the whole game but Foley kept him at bay for most of the game. Foley uses the ball a lot better than McShane and is not a panicker like McShane. Very impressed with Wolves and they look a much improved side. Should have won the game after they got the equaliser. Good job Mick.
Being able to use the ball is vital at full back. Foley is streets ahead of McShane in that department.
Not to flog a dead horse but watching Wigan v. Chelsea at the moment and McCarthy is playing well at the moment. Mind you it is only 27 minutes in but thus far so good. So is he tied to us yet or does he still have the option of going back to Scotland? If so, could that be a reason he hasn't been called up?
If he had it in his mind to go back to Scotland he wouldnt be turning up for the under21 games. He will 100% not be going back to the Scotland squad. He is playing well today but he is only 19 and he will get lots of opportunites for us in the future.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fergie's Son
Showed good strength at one point to skin Ivanovic on the touchline. Looked a bit lightweight at times last season so it's good to see.
No, because he has yet to be capped in a competitive international. But Razor's point is bang on.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fergie's Son
Does his senior international appearance against Brazil not preclude him from playing for Scotland ever?Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
You can switch your allegiance once if you've only played in friendlies for the first country - it's competitive games that matter.
Edgar Castillo switched to his country of birth despite having played in 4 friendlies for Mexico.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...sec=us&cc=5739
I stand corrected, thanks for the info, Charlie.