Just watched Foley on Match of the Day. The more I see of him the more he impresses me. Definitely deserves a chance at proving himself as Ireland first choice right back
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Just watched Foley on Match of the Day. The more I see of him the more he impresses me. Definitely deserves a chance at proving himself as Ireland first choice right back
It was a good strike for someone I presume is right footed.
was captain for the game as well
both RTE and BBC made the mistake of saying it was his first Premiership goal, which actually came 2 weeks ago against Bolton
Lads i mentioned a while ago that unless wolves sort out their defence they are in seroius trouble. Mick must see this. 3 goals a game is a joke, they are going to go down unless he brings in some players in january.
From what I saw, Foley was the only one who wasn't culpable for any of the goals. Ward was non-existent for the third goal. The centre half pairing looks dreadful any time I see it.
Its almost as if Wolves are playing without centrebacks. Unless Wolves find a sugar daddy and buy two good centre backs in January they are doomed. Mick will be lucky to survive that long.
Is it his fault or the chairmans that Wolves do not have centre backs capable of playing at premier league level.
Ward has been playing left side of midfield in the last few games.
Is zubar left back since he came back
Playing midfield again last night. No sign of Ward. Is he injured or dropped?
he was on the bench, came on for Doyle after 70 minutesQuote:
Originally Posted by OwlsFan
I feel kind of bad for him. He put in a series of top performances as an emergency striker and his reward might end being that he's lost his place to Elokobi.
According to Merson on SSN last night, Elokobi was Wolves best player.Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin
Elokobi looked a bit dodgy for me. He might have been confusing him with Zubar on the right who had a terrific game.
Looks like Trap is going to have a blank canvas to work with in the coming months. There have been so many good performances and performers among the Irish in England that we might see a few changes in the games against Wales and Macedonia.
For me Kevin Foley gets the nod at right back for two reasons (a) he'll bring a measure of much needed composure to the defence with his coollness on the ball and his placing a premium on possession football and (b) because Seamus Coleman is on fire as a right-half with Everton.
It's a bit of a statement about his character that Mick has installed him as captain when he might have gone for a more experienced player at Wolves.
Whatever chance Trap had of playing Coleman at right back, surely Seamus has now drawn attention to his own abilities at attacking rather than defending. Foley, Dunne, O'Shea/St Ledger and Clark/O'Shea as the Irish defence for the road ahead.
A right-half? What on earth is that?Quote:
Originally Posted by mark12345
really? he spent most of the time mentioning Elokobi trying to pronounce his name correctly!Quote:
Originally Posted by elroy
the opposite of a wrong half?Quote:
Originally Posted by kev mcq
Considering our issues in midfield, I wouldn't be opposed to giving him a go centrally, where he often plays for Wolves. I think it's only a matter of time before he slots in somewhere for us though, too good a player to ride the pine.
Its surprising that a player of Kevins ability has played so little for Ireland. I think he deserves a chance to show what he can do for Ireland.
Starts on Saturday ahead of Kelly according to the reports below.
Overjoyed for him if true. A Premiership regular, our most consistent player for the best part of three seasons yet bizarrely overlooked. Just reward that a dedicated, conscientious attitude eventually pays dividends. Hopefully he will carry his cool, calm and composed performances on to the international scene.
http://www.expressandstar.com/sport/...-the-republic/
In fairness, he has had a vastly experienced Man United player ahead of him.
Im still not overly convinced of his defensive ability or capabillites perhaps. Obviously very happy for him given the fact he has been around for 5 years or so and only 3 caps. I hope he takes this chance though and cements his place, if he does we really really do have competition for places in the back four. We can then have a dunnie/oshea CB partnership, with clark and foley as attacking full backs. That prospect is mouth watering, tough luck on ledger but i think we have to pick the players playing at the highest level and who are most accomplished in the positions. I do though think this hinges on how he performs when he gets his chance.Quote:
Originally Posted by Manc Irish Wolf
Agree with that, however not the preference of Kelly and certainly not McShane in front of him.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
The Dunne/OShea Partnership is our most experienced and whereas St Ledger has formed a good partnership with Dunne, I'm surprised that this duo have not been tried out more frequently.
Only time will tell, however, I agree with Paul that a Foley - Dunne - O'Shea - Clark backline feels like our strongest to me, as long as he doesn't let the occasion get the better of him.
Thats key obviously. He was poor against Nigeria at Craven Cottage (his debut I think). Needs to hit the ground running on Saturday.Quote:
Originally Posted by Manc Irish Wolf
Signs new four year deal with Wolves.
Odd the article describes him as a midfielder who can also play at right back.
He didn't quite bring his Wolves form to the last international shindig but he's certainly earned that contract. Fairly sure he made his name at right back.
Apparently playing very well in the Carling Cup today according to Gillette Soccer Special, had an assist on their first goal. Picked out Ebanks-Blake with a 40 yard pass and he did the rest.
Started in central midfield for Wolves today. Played a horrible ball across midfield that was intercepted and let to Fulham going 2-0 up.
I had high hopes for Foley becoming a Stephen Finnan, a late blossoming quality full back. I'm beginning to have grave doubts now. Unless a new manager like Hodgson, O'Neill or Moyes takes hold of him I'm not sure we'll see any improvement and right now his current standard probably isn't what we need. He'll be lucky to be on the plane in May / June. He probably will be, but I'd be getting nervous if I was him.
What does it say for Stephen Hunt when Foley is playing in midfield for Wolves. If I was Hunt I'd be worried, but since he is Trap's 12th man he'll be fine.
Foley hasn't looked great since returning from injury but then again neither has anyone at Wolves looked good recently.
I think one of Foley's great attributes for getting picked in the squad is his versatility but this is also his great weakness for being anywhere near a starter for us. "Jack of trades, master of none."
That he doesn't play in midfield?Quote:
Originally Posted by Irwin3
thats been his main problem when playing for us, he's been visibly shaky everytime i've seen him play. i too thought he would be a quality full back but he seems to have regressedQuote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
Stephen Hunt: The man with no position.Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin
he usually just puts in "extra from braveheart" for position when he's filling out his CVQuote:
Originally Posted by Irwin3
http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:A...hF3qUjde0B_mfI
Hunt is a left sided midfielder.
Thanks for that. You better let the Wolves and Irish management know that. They appear to play him out of position an awful lot so.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
From his 14 PL starts this season 7 are LM, 5 are RM and 2 are CM.
No need to be so gruff. Plenty of wide players play "inside out", in fact it's becoming quite a trend*.
I've stated many times here that Hunt doesn't have the attributes to be a CM (imho), even if some people think so. Foley playing CM is less of a surprise because, as I've opined here before as well, a good full back will have a mix of the skills to play centrally as well as wide, because developing play is very much part of a full back's remit.
* for example:
http://www.wsc.co.uk/content/view/4975/38/
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog...de-out-wingers
http://www.tomwfootball.com/2011/02/...-room-to-roam/
it was me saying hunt could play cm last year. i still think he'd be better than whelan in there
I dunno bear. He'd inject some bite and ankle-snapping vitality but put on the spot I'm not sure he has the instinctive awareness that a good midfielder has. Graham Kavanagh had it in spades, but without the athleticism. Darron Gibson has it too - don't laugh! Gibson takes the ball under pressure really well, rarely turns into trouble and is rarerely dispossessed on receiving a tough pass. I doubt Hunt would be like that. Hunt is a "head-down" footballer with a decent whipped delivery from wide. Being a "head up" player is essential for a good CM. Xabi Alonso springs to mind.
We have a midfield who can't hold onto the ball. Why anybody would suggest Stephen Hunt as a solution boggles my mind.
Gruff? You made a booboo and were called on it. Hunt is a left-footed midfielder who plays on both wings.Quote:
Originally Posted by Stuttgart88
Yesterday was the first time Foley played CM this season. In the three previous games he started twice at RM.
Stephen Hunt last started a PL game for Wolves on 31/12/2011.