Lewis McGugan

Just been through the Notts Forest forum quite thoroughly. No mention of any Irish ancestry. But interestingly there was a post mentioning that he has "threatened" to declare for Trinidad & Tobago in the past. Why hasn't he also "threatened" to declare for Ireland if his father is Irish?! He will probably bide his time for another while yet (in the hope of an England call up - Look at Jay Bothroyd) before making any decision.

Last post on this page:

http://www.forestforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=22568

View from the Guardian

The lowdown
The young midfielder had a tough time at the City Ground last season – overweight and out of favour with Billy Davies he made only eight starts – but since losing three kilos over the summer he's turned his fortunes around. "I realised I had to do something to get fitter," he said earlier this month. "I know the gaffer won't cut me any slack, but while I'm scoring goals it makes it difficult to drop me." A wonder goal yesterday can only help his cause.


View from the terrace
We love Lewis, but he doesn't half drive us mad sometimes. Undoubtedly talented, last season we all worried that he was wasting his ability as his role reduced to that of an impact sub, and as the season went on he looked, well, a bit fat. There have been two developments this season: Lewis has lost rather a lot of weight. Also, Billy Davies is finally playing him in his natural position just behind the centre-forward. And just look at his goals this season – this boy doesn't score tap-ins!


He is certainly an exciting prospect.
Could swop dieting tips with Andy Reid, who incidently also played for Forest.

The figure mentioned for clubs interesting him are about £3 million, Forest would be mad to accept such an offer, especially as they are now in a play off position.
If McGugan keeps scoring they may well be in an automatic promotion spot by the end of the season.

He is a talent but I'm not sure if he's Trap's kind of player. He's got bags of ability and when on top form he can look a million dollars but he isn't suited for just shielding the back 4 and passing sideways or back to Shay Given so I doubt the Trap would call him up.

To be fair, neither is McGeady, Duff, Robbie, so if he's a wide midfielder or in the hole (not that we play anyone there other than when Robbie drops deep) he could have a look in. Not all 11 players in Traps side are defensive.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Junior

To be fair, neither is McGeady, Duff, Robbie, so if he's a wide midfielder or in the hole (not that we play anyone there other than when Robbie drops deep) he could have a look in. Not all 11 players in Traps side are defensive.

---

You could only play him in central mf or as a number 10. he's not a wide man. So unless the Trap tries out 4-5-1, McGugan (if he declared for us) would be vying for a central midfield place. I cannot see the manager ever trusting anybody in the middle of the park with that many attacking tendencies.

To be fair to Duff, Keane and Doyle they all track back and press the opposition when they can. This isn't a strength of Lewis.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

Well which side was Barry McGuigan from?

---

The Monaghan side I think. Anyway definitely a fenian or else he's be Barry Mcgugan!

McGuigan was from Clones in Monaghan.

Didnt stop BBC describing him as a british boxer just after he won the title and irish just after he lost it.

'Barry the Brit' as he was affectionately known. Christened 'Finbarr Patrick McGuigan'

He took out British citizenship so that he could fight for British titles (so wiki says). I have vague memories of him coming out behind a UJ or wearing UJ shorts or something - perhaps my mind is playing tricks on me though.

Completely off topic - apologies.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by SkStu

McGuigan was from Clones in Monaghan.

Didnt stop BBC describing him as a british boxer just after he won the title and irish just after he lost it.

---

Link?

Anyhow, the wee man himself didn't have a political/sectarian/Nationalistic bone in his body - quite the contrary, in fact. Which partly explains his overwhelming popularity in Unionist parts of NI.

Sadly, however, I am led to believe that his willingness to box for NI in the Commonwealths, or for a British title etc, meant that "Barry the Brit" occasionally got abuse from Nationalist circles in NI. The fact that he was also proud to box for Ireland etc, did not protect him.

P.S. On the surname thing, when Barry's father Pat sang for Ireland in Eurovision, I think he used the stage name "McGeechan"?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Junior

'Barry the Brit' as he was affectionately known. Christened 'Finbarr Patrick McGuigan'

He took out British citizenship so that he could fight for British titles (so wiki says). I have vague memories of him coming out behind a UJ or wearing UJ shorts or something - perhaps my mind is playing tricks on me though.

Completely off topic - apologies.

---

Barry will never have worn UJ shorts - to identify with one tradition in ireland like that would have been anathema to him.

As "British" Champion, he might conceivably have stepped out behind a UJ, however, just as his opponent will have entered the ring behind a Stars and Stripes or the flag of Panama etc - it's often part of the razzamatazz which surrounds such contests.

BBC just compared him to Messi and Ronaldo:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/9239226.stm
:D

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by EalingGreen

Link?

---

sorry i have no link to listening to it on the radio in 1985 and watching it on telly in 1986.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by EalingGreen

Anyhow, the wee man himself didn't have a political/sectarian/Nationalistic bone in his body - quite the contrary, in fact. Which partly explains his overwhelming popularity in Unionist parts of NI.

---

i never suggested he did. I was just pointing out the hypocrisy of the bbc commentators.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by AlaskaFox

BBC just compared him to Messi and Ronaldo:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/9239226.stm
:D

---

who? Barry McGuigan?

;)