Quote:
Originally Posted by ifk101
I lol'd!
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ifk101
I lol'd!
Just happened to be looking at goalkeepers in the Arsenal ranks for my Fantasy PL team and stumbled across the surname 'Shea'. Obviously it stood out as being distinctly Irish. Had a search for any mention of him on here but didn't come across any. Maybe I missed it; apologies if so.
http://www.arsenal.com/reserves-yout...ers/james-shea
Anyway, although Islington-born, and in the absence of being able to find a more authoritative source, according to a Wikipedia page presumably pre-prepared by a user for inclusion on the general site once Shea makes a senior appearance, he's eligible to play for both us and England.
Quote:
James Shea (born June 6, 1991) is a is an English footballer. He currently plays for Arsenal and his position is goalkeeper.
After excelling in the triumphant FA Youth Cup and Premier Academy League ‘double' winning-side of 2008–09, James played six times for the Reserves in 2009–10, signing a new contract with Arsenal in February 2011.
His first inclusion in the first team squad was against West Bromwich Albion in the Football League Cup in September 2009.
In August 2010, due to a goalkeepering shortage while the England team trained for an upcoming match Shea was drafted in to help Joe Hart practice. Shea can represent both England and the Republic of Ireland at international level, but has yet to play at any level for either nation.
Found an article from the Daily Mail about his training session with the England team: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/foo...s-deepens.html
Presumably, Wenger could have thrown in any of his reserve keepers so I don't necessarily think a training session with the England team at Arsenal's training ground, most likely because Shea just happened to be there anyway, would be indicative of any current or future national allegiance...Quote:
Faced with injuries to Foster (knee) and Scott Carson (back), Fabio Capello had to turn to Arsene Wenger in desperation and ask to borrow a goalkeeper for a practice match.
So up stepped 19-year-old James Shea, joining Hart for a few training drills before being chipped — so Theo Walcott said — by Wayne Rooney from 18 yards.
‘It was a good experience for him,’ added Walcott.
Born in Islington but eligible to represent the Republic of Ireland, Shea began as a midfielder before being converted into a keeper.
I saw him in the FA Youth Cup Final against Liverpool. Arsenal were so dominant my missus could have been in goals.
James Shea has gone on loan to Southampton for a month. It will be good to track his progress and see what potential he actually has. Arsenal and quality goalkeepers is something that doesn't often come to mind!
Pat Jennings, John Lukic, David Seaman and possibly even Lehmann ??
They don't really produce them though, do they? Jenning was Spurs, Seaman was QPR and Lehmann was... Dortmund. Never really rated Lukic.
oh okay fair enough! Thats not what i got from gastrics post.
I was a big Lukic fan.
Thanks Charlie! We live in hope that Shea and McDermott break the mould!
I think I was always put off by Lukic's stupid hair. Not the most relevant criteria on which to base my judgement of a footballer, granted, but good enough I think.
edit: seems Lehmann came through at Schalke and Jennings at Watford. Shows what I know.
The Polish guy Szczezny or whatever his name is looks the real deal. He has massive self confidence / presence which is an important asset.
Stick him in midfield, I say. He can't be any worse than PG.
Lukic was Leeds anyway first off. Seaman was his understudy at Leeds funnily enough. To think that Leeds released Seaman, Irwin and Phelan when they were in Division 2 in the 80's, madness....Quote:
Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin
I know, I saw Irwin interviewed once about his release and move to Oldham and he was asked by the interviewer about the reasons given by Billy Bremner, and Irwin just said 'oh, not good enough' folllowed by a smirk suggesting he had enjoyed proving Bremner had gotten that one wrong, to put it mildly.Quote:
Originally Posted by Drumcondra 69er
It seems that I have inadvertently started a bit of debate here about Arsenal goalkeepers. One mentioned as being a quality goalkeeper is Lehmann. Lehmann to me was a flapper under pressure who tended to punch the ball rather than catch which often lead to Arsenal conceding goals and a defence looking on in derision. Throughout his Arsenal career, replacement keepers were regularly mentioned and he did not enjoy the best relationship with Wenger and the other players. Such memories give me the impression he was a functional goalkeeper rather quality, whose Arsenal career lasted longer than it should have.
Agree re-Lehmann being functional rather than quality, although he played very well throughout their 2006 CL campaign. For such a big guy he was a total pussy, over-reacting to any contact from a forward, even the slightest touch. However, he had a self-confidence and assuredness, possibly a bit misplaced, that was a key part of that team. They had natural leaders all the way up the middle from back to front.
I think attitude is a key ingredient for a winning 'keeper,
Is it too late to give Darron Gibson back to the north?
Did you watch the last Ireland game? Or yesterday's FA Cup match? You've clearly forgotten the goal he scored against Wales and failed to notice the number of passes he picked out for team-mates yesterday. What a daft comment.Quote:
Originally Posted by Colbert Report
:ball: PP
Dear Mod
Can I please get a special flag any time (if ever) there is a relevant update posted on this thread?
Kind Regards
You referring to Paul Green or Paddy Garcia?Quote:
Originally Posted by Yard of Pace
O'Hara puts Wolves 1 up against WBA. Is that deserving of a flag?Quote:
Originally Posted by Paddy Garcia
interesting interview with O H'ara with talksport stating that he is not sure wether he qualifies to play for us, but if he receives a call, might well take that opportunity.
http://www.talksport.co.uk/radio/spo...public-ireland
http://www.talksport.co.uk/radio/spo...public-ireland
Asked about international future
Asked would he like to play for Republic of IrelandQuote:
"Yeah, I mean I don't know what the scenario is to be honest because, em, I mean they asked me before and there was something where I couldn't play and then its been changed recently, eh, something to do with playing in the Under 21's and you know I think the rules been changed. So I'm not sure whats been going on, obviously I've been injured for a while so I haven't really thought about it. But you know if I get a phone call then obviously its something I'll have to think about and discuss with my family because obviously everyone wants to play on the international stage. So I'm not sure whether I can play, I'm not 100% on the situation but I will definitely be interested."
Obviously.Quote:
Yeah, I mean obviously all my family are Republic of Ireland, all live in Wicklow, so I've got a big Irish Family and they are always phoning me up, saying, come play for Ireland. But obviously through the young stages, I've always played for England, so you know I didn't want to be disrespectful and say I play for Ireland and I'm not 100%. Now I think the opportunity has come, I'm 24 years old. I'm playing Premier League football, hopefully on a regular basis so If I get the phone call then its something I'll look at.
Wolves best player yesterday and a fairly honest interview. Would improve the team.
So he has finally realised that he won't be getting an England call up...
Good player but he was aware the rules had changed a year ago and he said then (SSN interview when out fishing I think) that he'd have to think about it.
I mean come on it's hardly taxing on the brain.
Do I want to play for Ireland?
YES. INFORM FAI.
or
NO. Hold out for an England call up. Lampard & Gerrard are starting to fall apart.
Barry, Carrick, Parker, Wilshere, Henderson, Milner, Huddlestone and even Rodwell, Cattermole & Muamba would likely be ahead of him after that. Don't see him playing for England at all and I think he has finally woken up in that regard.Quote:
Originally Posted by shakermaker1982
the one thing he has going for him in relation to an English call up is that he is a ciotóg. Not too many of those knocking around the English midfield. I dont think a big enough deal to get him a call up though. i think he will end up playing for us soon going on those quotes.
Assuming the whole agent looking for a guaranteed starting berth was either about Noble or was just another Trapattoni misunderstood interview, I'd still have reservations about calling up O'Hara.
Without going down the whole, "who should be representing the country?" route because its a can of worms,
any good manager would make sure that fasttracking someone like O'Hara into the squad didn't disrupt the squad dynamic. I'd definitely pass it by some of the more senior members or ask the captain to have a word with the squad.
I think it was Noel Hunt or someone who alluded to the fact that some of the Irish born players felt that a foreign born Irishman was more likely to be called up if it was a straight choice. This should never be the case. I mean Paul Green told the FAI that he qualified and he was in the next squad. Would the same work for Michael Doyle or Alan Dunne?
btw, in the case of "who should be representing the country?" debate, I'd prefer if we didn't have to call up the likes of O'Hara, Noble etc. At the end of the day, I feel the national team is representing me and people like me who've wanted to pull on a green shirt since I was 4 years old. And with 4 million people, we should have more than enough to put out a good side. But if O'Hara did get called up, I'd support him no less than Damian Duff, Kevin Kilbane or Clinton Morrison.
I feel a bit insulted by him now taking the 'I wasnt sure if I could play for Ireland or not' line if I'm honest, as well as being insulted by his repeated online pandering to Capello also while keeping the Ireland option nudged tactically open at all times, he knows well he is eligible, just didnt want to play for us untill it was a last resort.
Still, we are about to be represented by this guy I'd say looking at that interview. Cant say I want to be though.
I see your point, no good will come from booing him but I would just like Irish fans to send a message to these guys that Ireland as such a clearly distant second option is not what we want. Declare early, or leave it. I dont think thats unreasonable of us.Quote:
Originally Posted by joe_denilson
Yeah, I get the impression he's ready to board but probably wants to dilute his previous England politicking by feigning ignorance on the eligibility rules, talking up the Irish familia etc. Or maybe I'm just a cynic today. Anyway, "I will definitely be interested" is the likely 'come and get me' in that piece.Quote:
Originally Posted by CraftyToePoke
Not often Gareth Barry and "ahead" are used in the same sentence. Pacey player.Quote:
Originally Posted by TrapAPony
I can fully understand anyone not wanting O'Hara to get selected. I'm certain he would have chosen England if they had have selected him. But we would never have qualified for 1988, 1990, 1994, 2002 without players who almost certainly chose Ireland as a fall back option. The list is long and includes Cascarino, Houghton, Aldridge, Babb, Mcateer, Holland, Townsend and a few others. We have an Irish born Premiership player who does not want to play for Ireland. Its not a perfect situation but I'd rather see us qualify with players who "come late" to their Irish roots and put everything in than not qualify with inferior players.
Not spliting hairs but Babb was quoted in a programme at Millwall when he was a youth player as wanting to play for Ireland as one of his ambitions and Houghton, while he probably would have taken a cap had Scotland called him up, always harboured Irish ambitions from what I've read.Quote:
Originally Posted by Noelys Guitar
But your point stands although O'Hara has been so up front about his English ambitions it would stick in my craw.....
England also made a play for McAteer.
The lad was born and bred in England. Its natural that he would want to play for the country of his birth. He obviously has family here and therefore a certain amount of affinity with Ireland. If he did play for Ireland, I'm quite sure he would find it an honour to represent the country of his ancestors. I don't think he should be castigated for wanting to play for his birth country.
From a pure pragmatic point of view, and putting emotions aside, if O'Hara declares it will certainly reinforce our midfield. Of all the potential players who could or might declare he is the one who we most badly need. He is only 24 and with the number of exciting young midfielders that we have, he could prove a midfield general at least in the short term. I think it's also worth mentioning that with the tragedy of emigration back again, and worse than ever, we will all have to become more accepting of players living abroad who will or might want to represent us.
I appreciate that it's far too easy to be negative about this character, but féck, it's hard to be positive.
"Yeah, I mean I don't know what the scenario is to be honest because, em, I mean they asked me before and there was something where I couldn't play and then its been changed recently, eh, something to do with playing in the Under 21's and you know I think the rules been changed."
The FAI have already asked him did he want to declare and told him he was eligible because of the change in the rules. That doesn't appear to made to have made much impact on his psyche as he can hardly remember it.
"So I'm not sure whats been going on, obviously I've been injured for a while so I haven't really thought about it."
He was in the Portsmouth team at the time (spring 2010), playing the injury excuse card does not cut the mustard.
"But you know if I get a phone call then obviously its something I'll have to think about and discuss with my family because obviously everyone wants to play on the international stage"
The FAI have already asked him to declare, surely the next step is up him.
"So I'm not sure whether I can play, I'm not 100% on the situation"
Jesus wept, still not sure of his eligibility? maybe if Jamie was a teeny weeny bit interested he might have listened to the FAI representative and out of respect, already given it a bit of thought.
Houghton and Aldridge needed the time for an intake of breath before replying to their invitation.
"Now I think the opportunity has come"
I suspect the opportunity has already gone.
If he now wants to pursue playing for Ireland, then let him contact the FAI and make himself available.
http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...l-2550030.html
http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/s...ll-146107.html
My question is, what excatly is his irish links? Mother? Ol'lad?
How far back etc etc