Our up and coming players this season

Neither Byrne nor Foley could be described as up & coming.

I reckon Byrne should keep his place as he offers something different to the other 4 (Robbie, Doyle, Morrisson & Elliott) whereas Foley is more like what we have already but not as good. I expect a fully fit Alan Lee or Daryl Murphy, if he can establish himself under Quinn (no better man to learn from), to put pressure on Byrne's spot. But I think Byrne has the spot for now until another player makes a compelling case to be in ahead of him.

In fairness to Foley, he actually did very well in his Irish outings but we're going back over 5 yrs now I think. Estonia at home was the last one I remember anyway.

Today's Sunday Telegraph has a section on 6 teenagers likely to make an impact on this year's Championship.

The list includes both Garvan & Rooney, describing Garvan as technically very gifted and a highlighting Rooney's ''strong right footed finish, like his namesake Wayne''.

Any news on James Simmonds of Chelsea, unlike Van ( your definitely not the man) Nolan he declared for us after being courted by England. He will never break into the Chelsea team as he didn't cost over 20 million, so I guess a loan deal would be the best bet to see how he shapes up. Not forgetting Martin "lucky" Rowlands at QPR( not really up and coming more like is he still around).

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Originally Posted by jjppc

Any news on James Simmonds of Chelsea, unlike Van ( your definitely not the man) Nolan he declared for us after being courted by England. He will never break into the Chelsea team as he didn't cost over 20 million, so I guess a loan deal would be the best bet to see how he shapes up. Not forgetting Martin "lucky" Rowlands at QPR( not really up and coming more like is he still around).

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I dont think its as simple as Simmonds picking us ahead of the English - he has actually played for England a couple already. But he has now changed his mind and declared for us

I didn't know that. Can he change his mind again ? or is that it.

You can change allegiance up until U-21 level, whether that means you can play for multiple countries, I don't know. I'm not aware of any players who have done that, anyone else know of someone?

Young McShane and Gibson seem to be grabbing the pre-season friendlies by the scruff of the neck at Man U, with both coming close to scoring, McShane seems to be a strong header of the ball, likewise across the city Ireland seems to creating things and going close himself..

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Originally Posted by Reality Bites

Young McShane and Gibson seem to be grabbing the pre-season friendlies by the scruff of the neck at Man U, with both coming close to scoring, McShane seems to be a strong header of the ball, likewise across the city Ireland seems to creating things and going close himself..

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Apparently McShane was run ragged & had a nightmare against Preston.

McShane was linked with a 250,000 move to Ipswich in today's Herald. That would be criminal in my opinion, from what I've seen of him, he's a fantastic talent.

What's the story with Clive Clarke at West Ham? I know at 26 he's not really up and coming but he plays in a position where we desperately need some talent to be uncovered. I was disappointed that he didnt get a chance at West Ham last season but the team did so well they didnt really need to try him out. Is he still there or has he moved on or has there been talk of someone being interested in him? In fairness his competition for LB is Kilbane, O'Shea (who are not left backs) and Harte. So if he sorted out a move to a decent club (even in the championship) and got a regular games he could be an option. I think Wolves would be a good move for him as Kennedy is gone and Mick would know about him. Some (crazy) people might argue why play a Championship player at LB when we have O'Shea that plays for ManU. However, O'Shea is not a natural LB (He's just naturally sh!te :D)

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Originally Posted by Irish_Praha

What's the story with Clive Clarke at West Ham?

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eleven-a-side.com had a recent piece saying he's been playing right back in WHAM's pre-season games following Scaloni's departure. Koncesky seems to have the left-back slot to himself. However, subsequent to the article, WHAM has signed Ghana's World Cup full-back John Pantsil, so it looks like old Clarkie will be seeing a lot of the bench this year, if he even gets that far.

I've only seen him against Jamaica, but liked what I saw. Naturally left-footed, he tackled well and got forward very well too.

http://www.eleven-a-side.com/acrosst...p?newsid=23693

from today's Indo:

Leeds in hunt for Supple
LEEDS UNITED are lining up a surprise move for young Irish 'keeper Shane Supple.
The teenage Dubliner broke into the Ipswich Town first team last year and won plenty of admirers for his performances.
Leeds are on the lookout for a new keeper after allowing Ian Bennett to join Sheffield United and cash-strapped Ipswich may be forced to accept an offer in the region of £2m.


Flood set for Cardiff switch
WILLO FLOOD looks set to complete his move from Manchester City to Cardiff today after being allowed to leave by Stuart Pearce.
Irish under-21 midfielder Flood broke into the first team at Eastlands under Kevin Keegan but has enjoyed less first team action under Pearce.
Cardiff boss Dave Jones has offered Flood a chance of regular first team football ahead of their Championship campaign which starts this weekend.

Supple should stay. He's highly regarded at Ipswich and will get his game there. Leeds want him as back up to Sullivan. There's nothing to be gained by moving & a lot to be lost in my opinion.

If Ipswich sold Supple, and they might have to with their financial situation, they transfer fee could fund a move for McShane, meaning another promising Irish footballer dropping a division, but getting regular first team football. Swings and roundabouts, isn't it?

I meant the whole tranfer scene, but yeah, I can see how that would cause confusion!!

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Originally Posted by Irish_Praha

So if he sorted out a move to a decent club (even in the championship)

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wasnt he at that level with stoke? might even have been captain and doing pretty well there for a few seasons. never got him capped though. its strange this guy hes never even been given a try, given our lack of options there.

He actually did get one cap - against Jamaica at The Valley. Clarke played around 45 mins at left back I think & did very well, albeit against poor opposition. I'm very surprised Kerr didn't pick him again after that. I presume he played no part in Amserdam a week later, but I was away for that & don't know who played.

And yes, he was captain at Stoke. Played left-back & LHM for them.

i think that was a tournament/game that many of the senior pros snubbed though, iirc.

ive seen him play at leicester while at stoke and thought he did well, albeit in midfield, (holding role that day). certainly comparable with the likes of Maybury id say.

maybe he's got one of those faces that just dont fit, or a hole in his game that our untrained eyes dont detect.:)

Clarke came on at half time against Jamaica: http://www.soccerbase.com/results3.sd?gameid=422538
He was on the bench against Nigeria, but didn't play: http://www.soccerbase.com/results3.sd?gameid=422429
And had no part at all against the Dutch: http://www.soccerbase.com/results3.sd?gameid=422577

Never really happened for CC at West Ham last season, only played twice I think, got run a bit ragged at Arsenal in a 3-2 win and was taken off after about 70mins. To be honest he looked off the pace, not that surprising given his lack of games. I don't think Pardew rates him, but here's hoping he gets an opportunity this season. Went on the QPR site and have seen Rowlands has been playing midfield in pre-season, another one who needs a few games under him.