In the end though, aren't we kind of in a dark period right now? Or is the point that it could get darker? Euro 12 aside, I think Trap had dark hair the last time we were in a World Cup.
I guess I would ask what constitutes a dark era for everyone.
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In the end though, aren't we kind of in a dark period right now? Or is the point that it could get darker? Euro 12 aside, I think Trap had dark hair the last time we were in a World Cup.
I guess I would ask what constitutes a dark era for everyone.
I don't think it's a dark period, more of a transitional period and with that comes a lot of uncertainty as to whether we have the players coming through to replace those who have retired or will be retiring soon (Given, Dunne, Duff, Keane primarily). But, as I said earlier, there's already some young players who are already starting to deliver fully on their promise (McCarthy, Coleman), a bunch who are delivering at least partially who we can be fairly confident will be able to deliver in years to come to some extent at least (Clark, Brady, Long, Meyler, McClean, Hendrick, Wilson, Pilkington, Randolph), quite a bit of emerging talent on the horizon who may or may not turn out to be stars (Grealish, Hoban, Baba, Garmston, Roberts, Madden, Reilly, Burke, Drennan, Maguire, Carruthers, O'Brien, McGinty, Duffy, Cleary, O'Hanlon, a couple of Byrnes, Hayhurst) a few exiles who may be coaxed back after Trap leaves (Gibson, Stokes, Best, Ireland...OK that last one was only for a laugh) and some who may emerge in the middle of their careers a la Andrews and Hoolahan (Garvan, Quinn). So overall, based on what's out there right now, I would say that we'll have weaker (but still decent) goalkeeping, our full-back situation is more positive than it has been for a while, central defence is heavily dependent on Clark's development, left midfield is inevitably weaker than when Duff was playing (but then again, we do have McGeady, so not a catastrophe) we may be significantly stronger in central and right mid and, while Keano's retirement will inevitably leave an arm-waving hole upfront, that's not likely to happen for another three years (maybe five, if his own plans come true), which may give time for one of the aforementioned young forwards to emerge or for somebody else to burst on the scene.Quote:
Originally Posted by Crosby87
I think it's a good point about dropping down to the Football League being a negative influence on our players. I'd much prefer to see the guys who don't make it in the Premier League for whatever reason going to play in the top flights, even for lower ranked teams, in places like Norway, Sweden, Belgium, Holland, Poland, Greece, wherever, where they'd be able to probably still get decent wages, and I'm guessing a lot more game time than in the lower reaches in England, where it's been rightly pointed out that the emphasis is on players being tough and experienced than actually any good technically.
Fair point, but they tend to go for what they know, or maybe to the US or Oz, given the chance. Would say language is a big factor...
And half those countries are going through 'economic extremes' as in have no money, or a very high cost of living, which also puts parties off one another.
You're probably right that language is a big factor (although none of them seem to have a problem moving to Scotland!)Quote:
Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy
In a thread a while back about a national schoolboy academy, somebody suggested combining top-class football coaching with your education, so you'd get sports science, physiotherapy, nutrition and coaching qualifications alongside your playing skills, but also a strong focus on languages. I thought it was a great idea, as it would give the players who do make it a chance to go and experience different leagues and improve their skill set, and even the ones who don't would come out, hopefully with the skills to get into coaching, and work abroad in their systems, hopefully coming back to Ireland in the future with skills that could be used to improve the game here.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...l-Chelsea.html
Seems promising!!
Quite a few Irish in there. Good to see.Quote:
Originally Posted by Bungle
The Murphy twins at Norwich aren't eligible for us too, are they?
By the way, have Arsenal adopted an Asian sponsor this season or did they bedeck their shirts with Japanese font just for an Asian tour?:
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/...96_634x467.jpg
From the Emirates' Japanese website:Quote:
Originally Posted by DannyInvincible
http://cl.ly/image/0r0x0H2F1f1z/%E5%...E6%9C%AC-2.png
Hey!!!! (from the Daily Mail link) Kenny McEvoy, I will **** myself he turns out as good as his look-a-like, and yes the picture is of Kenny McEvoy not Gareth Bale!! (at least I think it is, hope the DM have not mixed the photo's up!!).
http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/...67_634x801.jpg
Worth mentioning that in the Fans' Preview in the Guardian today, Noe Baba, Jack Grealish and Rory Donnelly are all mentioned as being players to watch.
Things are never as bad as they may seem.
Lets not jinx them! We have quite a poor record in terms of 'boy wonders', though. Most of our players seem to emerge through promotions and transfers to the EPL from the lower leagues.Quote:
Originally Posted by Yard of Pace
Andrews and Whelan were not the most talented midfielders in their underage groups - Andrews, in particular, was behind McPhail, Barry and Alan Quinn, Healy and probably one or two others when he was U-21. Whelan was rated behind Shaun Thornton and Darren Potter. Who would have thought they'd be our primary central midfield options for two whole campaigns? Given that trend, players like Owen Garvan, Chris McCann and Stephen Quinn could all have something to offer in the near future.
Donnelly is in the Northern Ireland U21 squad this weekQuote:
Originally Posted by Yard of Pace
I thought he'd made himself unavailable for selection by the IFA.
Being in an NI U21 squad is a somewhat noncommittal gesture in the grand scheme of a player realising his potential.Quote:
Originally Posted by tetsujin1979
Is there any significance to him having opted out of the competitive under-21 fixture against Cyprus whilst accepting a call-up for an under-21 friendly fixture against Denmark, I wonder?
I didn't think Baba was anywhere close to the first team - it would be nice to be proved wrong.Quote:
Originally Posted by Yard of Pace
Paul George got a little game time yesterday.
If a random (presumably) English Fulham fan fancies him to feature then he must be pretty close. He seems to be developing at a fair rate of knots to be fair to him. Hopefully that continues and he sticks with us.Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin
Well the Daily Mail picked him out as well, and the Guardian's preview might be a fan's view but it's presumably a fan with his ear to the ground. They're not going to just ask the first fan they find walking along the street.Quote:
Originally Posted by Yard of Pace
Ah, lovelyQuote:
Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin
Noe Baba @noebaba 10 Aug great to see the boys in the national team great to back with the ireland squad!