yep, Cullen should have started. Jeff needs to be dropped even for his own sakes , a kick up the arse might help him.Quote:
Originally Posted by tetsujin1979
I wonder does mick think he handled the Dan Crowley dutch cup final correctly now. Leaving early etc. That game would have been perfect for him
Also if he had played cullen and if the lad played well he could have been an option for the swiss game, now no way he makes his debut on a game that bigQuote:
Originally Posted by Diggs246
What's all the Cullen talk for? He's finished a loan at League One and has yet to do much at Championship level. Mick had a few kind words. And he's young. But still... Maybe it's the dearth of options.
Because he is a good player and it looks like he has been recalled to West ham a premiership team because they think he is a good player tooQuote:
Originally Posted by Olé Olé
Also, we don't know what's going to happen in the new season in England. If he gets into the west ham side, the first question that's going to be asked is "why isn't he in the England squad".
This was a real opportunity to stop that conversation ever before it starts.
I won't argue the first point. On the second point, He was recalled by them after his Bradford spell too, only to go on and not get games at Bolton. That's hardly evidence.Quote:
Originally Posted by Diggs246
A little more irritating when we actually finished the game with a substitution to spare, granted it was still only 1-0 in the 93rd minute so not really the time to be focused on anything other than getting the win. Hard to believe he didn't use all three though given some of the performances.Quote:
Originally Posted by tetsujin1979
It's not just that, this was the only realistic opportunity to tie him for the next 18 months(Euros qualification dependent). It would be ok if we had a not so important list of qualifiers left.Quote:
Originally Posted by tetsujin1979
Mick Mc should have been stung on this, and yet it wasn't asked once. There really is no excuse to miss another one.
I don't think he's have had much difficulty dealing with that line of questioning. "Why didn't you cap young Cullen, Mick, you know, to tie the fecker down?".Quote:
Originally Posted by paul_oshea
The post noting Wales' position in their group says it all, for me.
I'm not for capping lads for 3 minutes to tie them down. One thing that Mick has brought back is unity and team spirit. I think capping lads who may regret playing for us in a year's time is creating potential to spoil the atmosphere. Not worth it, imo. I watched the League 1 play off final. Cullen looked promising but for me did not stand out as someone ready for top flight football. He's not far off, mind.
(McGeady beating players at will while only half-fit did, however....but that's another debate)
Not really Realale, Irish supporters always seem to have the blinkers on...........and we are quick to slag the English about it.........Quote:
Originally Posted by Real ale Madrid
I’d say many’s a collective groan was heard in pubs when you were in England Benno,might not have had much to do with John O’Shea though.
John O'Shea's best form for Ireland came after Trap took over onwards. I think around 2008. I remember the panel discussing why he had started suddenly attacking the ball. Up till that point he was always tentative. As for playing at full-back, he always was too wasteful in possession there, he'd lamp these hopeful balls down the line to no one and we'd give away the ball again and again and again...
All the Cullen talk is happening because Hendrick is rank average and has been in a green shirt for a while (throw in Whelan and we really have a midfield to be reckoned with). Hendrick has been on borrowed time for quite some time, but in typical Irish fashion we will keep throwing the dice until Jeff has his first good game in 15 or 16 internationals, and then it'll be like: "Hendrick played really well - quieting all the naysayers who have been criticizing his performances of late"Quote:
Originally Posted by Olé Olé
Dan Crowley should have been brought in by now (at least to the training camp) and how much worse could Cullen have played (instead of Hendrick) the other night? As Diggs pointed out, he would then have been an option for the next game. It's very simple for the remainder of the campaign - If Ireland beat Switzerland in September, McCarthy's methods will have been deemed a success (in how he's developing his squad). But anything other than a victory will start the second-guessing of the manager.
They were missing some important players and lost two difficult away games, don't think that indicates anything really in terms of the attitude/commitment of their players.Quote:
Originally Posted by Yard of Pace
I kind of agree with the rest of your post though, well, I'm kind of torn on it. I would have been happy to see Cullen capped the last night as I think he could have added a bit of balance to our midfield, while also having the bonus of him being now tied to us.
They looked almost full strength to meQuote:
Originally Posted by DeLorean
The main point is we shouldnt be copying a country that has qualified for 1 competition in 65 years.
Tie no one. As Robbie says, we are Ireland.Quote:
Originally Posted by DeLorean
For me, give them time, which they have ample amounts of now and then let them decide. Us deciding for them? Absolutely give me a break. No way. This is a country and team that needs characters and passion and 100%. I mean, jaysis, Robbie actually scoffs at the Rice situation.
To tie someone to represent this country? Case by case but with Cullen in Portugal and then on....no way. Not a chance. If he gets his place on merit, yeah.
I'm pretty sure I read that Ben Davies was ruled out for the two games but I see he played. Obviously they were missing Ramsey.Quote:
Originally Posted by Diggs246
I thought the main point was that Wales' aggressive approach in tying players down isn't working for them, because of their current group position. I don't think you can judge that on two difficult away games. And maybe qualifying for only one competition in 65 years is part of the reason for their (relatively new?) approach.Quote:
Originally Posted by Diggs246
Overall I can totally see where you're coming from and it is definitely the approach with most integrity. It's a harsh footballing world out there though, I don't think it's a completely black and white issue. It is for you though which is fair enough.Quote:
Originally Posted by Yard of Pace
Tbh I'm just sick of the "What would Wales Do" mob. we should nearly do the opposite to themQuote:
Originally Posted by DeLorean
They are 2nd last they did lose to Hungary and at the beginning of the qualifiers I would have swapped places with them. Croatia would win the group and I would be confident we would come 2nd in that group ahead of Slovakia and Hungary. Wales have also appointed a manager with virtually zero experience and a man of absolutely zero integrity. We have an very good manager who is respected and loved by most. Their qualification track record is a disgrace. We have qualified 6 times in modern football compared to their 1.
Okay, I don't really care what Wales do though, just so you know. :)Quote:
Originally Posted by Diggs246
and that's the correct mentality, as far as I'm concerned they can pick Tom Jones if they wantQuote:
Originally Posted by DeLorean
I'm not too bothered by what Wales do either, but they're far from alone in this regard, and it's something we're going to see more of in future
How do you feel about Daniel O'Donnell as a defensive midfielder?;)Quote:
Originally Posted by Diggs246
Nah, I think for lots of youngsters, it's very grey. But once you accept a call-up, or declare yourself available, for me it is then black and white.Quote:
Originally Posted by DeLorean
The system allows ample time underage, the players are wealthy young men who can ask just about anyone for advice etc. They are not orphaned waifs we're taking in. That's my stance. And if a guy travels with our squad for a vital qualifier he has to be committed. For me, then it gets simple.
Before, and I mentioned the future with all our future Nigerian, Brazilian, Polish, Lithuanian, Romanian, etc kids, it will be very grey....
But I look forward to that.
I'm not looking forward to the first high profile defection. It's early doors, in particular for those of Nigerian heritage. So I hope that Obafemi has started a trend.
Of course, it's completely the lads' prerogative but I'm being a selfish supporter.
I personally think you should have two grandparents, one parent or be born in the country yourself. Or else, have moved over at a young age and come up through that country’s system.
I don’t like the fact that a player can possible play for 5 different countries if he has 4 grandparents from different places and was born in another place.
I don’t for a second think that Robinson or Scott Hogan grew up feeling Irish.
But I accept it far more than the rugby residency rule which I think has made a mockery of international rugby.
Are the FIFA rules in correlation with general international rules of citizenship?
Scott Hogan has got your required two Irish grandparents though.
I wouldn't doubt Robinson for a second. He declared for Ireland at 22, made the initial contact himself and spoke very eloquently about his decision that he'd been thinking about it for a number of years – and about the relationship he had with his mother and the importance of the decision to him and his family. If he had held out for another 3-4 years, you could argue that but i would take him at face value.Quote:
Originally Posted by Fixer82
The FIFA rules were directly correlated to international citizenship, so if you're a citizen you can play for the country but then a load of countries started abusing it, so then they made a rule that there had to be 'a clear connection' to a country – which people began to abuse as well, at first slightly, like Poland who gave Roger Gurreiro Polish citizenship after living there for just 21 months, so that he could play in Euro 2008. Soon you had one of the arab countries giving passports to load of young brazilians who had just arrived there and calling them up to the national team, their connection being that they lived there. Or certain situations regarding great great grandparents.
So then FIFA made the criteria one of these 4: 1) residency a 5-year minimum 2) parents born there 3) or grandparents or 4) individual born there. I think you have to be a citizen as well as meeting those criteria, so that's why Lido Lotefa wasn't eligible to play for the Irish youth sides because he was in direct provision in Mosney and not yet eligible for a passport. It's also why a child born in Ireland could theoretically not be eligible, for example if the parents were in Ireland on student visas (thanks to Michael McDowell and those who voted for the 27th amendment of the constitution)...
We also have the phenomenon of having many players not caring a fig about Ireland....until coming to play for us. Then some have become our most committed. (Or manage us: J. Charlton for instance)
So, for me it'll always be a case by case basis with the scientific data from Stuttgart88s' gut test as the thing which helps make the final decision. (Did the patent for that come through yet?)
This is true.Quote:
Originally Posted by Yard of Pace
Matt Holland and Andy Townsend spring to mind.
I didn’t know that about Robinson or Hogan so that’s my bad.
Clinton Morrison another one who bided his time but when he decided to commit he was a great servant to be fair. And unlucky not to get more caps under Stan.
Robinson and McGoldrick have spoken about having a long-held desire to play for us. Whether that's genuine or not, they have demonstrated serious commitment in the last year or so. Hard to know if the cart or the horse came first on that one though.
Highlights added; thread locked