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On Doherty, he did spend a few years out of the Premier League, while Coleman was playing regularly for Everton, and one of the senior team's most consistent players, so Doherty has a lot less caps than you might expect for a player with his ability.
Should be have more? Of course, but realistically how much more?
IMO about 10-15 more. At a certain point it became comical that O’Neill persisted with Christie as understudy. I don’t think up until recently people were calling for Doherty to potentially replace Coleman at right fullback but for him to be No. 3 — especially once he really started showing his quality at PL level with Wolves, looked more like stubbornness from O’Neill more than anything else.Quote:
Originally Posted by tetsujin1979
I think Doherty going public with some of his frustrations put O’Neill off.
In fairness, he also played almost 2 seasons at left-back while in the championship. and he won Wolves' player of the year playing in that position. He was definitely an alternative to Stephen Ward, as well as being a back-up to Seamie...Quote:
Originally Posted by irishfan86
Sure he played Christie in midfield to apparently support/protect "young" Doherty in his first start against Denmark. Which is an hilarious and bizarre thought.Quote:
Originally Posted by irishfan86
Did he say that? Given how easily Denmark has torn us apart before, a defensively minded selection may not have been specifically about Doherty.Quote:
Originally Posted by ColourfulPeanut
McPhail had two bouts of illness that hampered his career, NH Lymphoma and a non related immune disorder where the body stops producing tears and saliva among others so ye can imagine how uncomfortable it was to play when he was able. He also had chronic joint pain likely from the NHL treatment but played through the pain. He was very good considering but what a player he could have been with some luck.
Very interesting. Hard to get all that through to the General Public.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nesta99
The Delap one is just bizarre looking back at it. Given the type of football we played for most of the last 20 years he should have been the perfect player for us. Not to mention a great man to have in a tournament finals squad because he was so versatile. Instead he hardly got a look in. 359 premier league appearances and only 11 caps is incredible.
Jeff Kenna is possibly another who should have won more, 290 premier league appearances and only 27 caps for Ireland.
Andy O'Brien maybe another - 280 games in the EPL but only 26 caps - we were well stocked at centre back though.
Damien Delaney had a similar problem being a centre back - 138 premier League games and over 300 more in the championship - won just 9 caps. Only made his competitive debut at 32.
Gary Kelly, the goalkeeper version. Always thought he should have got a cap.
Didn't O'Neill say Delaney was old enough to be a manager then he was still playing regular in the prem?Quote:
Originally Posted by Eirambler
All things considered tis funny how Northern Ireland ended up with the Right O’Neill and we ended up with the Wrong O’Neill ! !
I wasn't thinking that when we beat Germany, Italy, Bosnia, Austria, Wales...went one up against a great French team in a major tournament, drew away to Germany.Quote:
Originally Posted by seanfhear
O'Neill had a great time with us until the last couple of years, when it all fell apart. Let's remember the good times.
jeff kenna was around when we had so many full back options. he was one of 4 full backs (phelan, irwin and gary kelly being the other 3) who took to the field against holland in 95Quote:
Originally Posted by Eirambler
We still ended up with the wrong O’Neill. The O’Neill that was past it and well finished.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fixer82
Michael O’Neill is the O’Neill Now ! !
Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda.Quote:
Originally Posted by seanfhear
He could've been a disaster for us, or he could've been brilliant. We'll never know so who cares?
Michael O'Neill wouldn't have lasted in charge of the republic with the same record he had with the north - 18 months until his first win, more than a year after that until his second, losses to Azerbaijan and Luxembourg.
Michael O’Neill is by far the Better Manager Now !
Sean Williams has become Player/Coach at Milwall.
Definitely a player I felt deserved more caps. Played very well for us in the couple of caps he got and for me looked better than Declan Rice at that time in the green jersey.
Wouldn't go quite that far re Rice but he was very good in his limited time he had in the green shirt.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fixer82
Williams is a funny one in that he made his debut in 2018 at 31 after a good season in League One. Two decent seasons at Championship level have gone by now without many extra caps but we have seen someone like Hourihane push up levels from Barnsley to Villa etc.
Maybe if he had been playing more Championship football than he did before 2018 during his time in England, he could have established himself. It all just felt as though he was swimming against the tide playing decent for Millwall in the Championship with little international experience at the age of 31 and 32.
I know this is an easy line to trot out when a player isn't incredibly physical like Williams, but he struck me as a guy who could have been really good abroad. He has a little bit of energy and good passing that compliment an ability to play through the lines in the middle third from a deep position. I think if he had gone abroad when he was scoring goals at centre half and centre midfield for MK Dons in League One then he could have carved out many more caps than he did. All very hypothetical I know but the France game demonstrated that.
He'll be a good coach though.