http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...-29889019.html
Dion Fanning talks to Jeff Hendrick.
http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...-29889019.html
Dion Fanning talks to Jeff Hendrick.
Derby are two points off automatic promotion after a 1-0 win over rivals QPR this afternoon.
Hendrick started today, along with Richard Keogh. Sammon came off the bench at half-time and did what he usually does - hold the ball up and link up play extremely well and miss a couple of sitters. Mark O'Brien was an unused sub.
It seems like it was agreed between MON and King that it was more important that Hendrick plays in the U21 game than making a short appearance in the senior game. Hard to argue with that.
http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/socc...t-up-1.1704422
Bit of a misleading article though overall. Not one mention of how he was injured for Noel King's senior squad and that was probably the reason he hasn't played since being "hauled" off at half time against Spain. Even using the word "demotion" is a little unnecessary, even if technically that's what it is. The reasoning by O'Neill and King is very sound at least, hopefully he can help the U21's get the win they need.
IDK. Gibson is perennially injured. If McCarthy gets injured, I really don't like the prospect of falling back on Whelan and Green. I would give Hendrick - Meyler too - as much chance as possible to assert himself before the qualifiers.
One good performance in a competitive game doesn't override all the bad ones and whatever Whelan's worth against workmanlike opposition, he has been shown up time and time again against decent opposition. The guy is slow as Christmas and now he's in his 30s.
Just put Derby 3-0 up in the first half against Forest. Played a part in the first goal too.
They're 5 up now. Is it causal or coincidental that Reid's injury and Forest's losing streak occur together?
Clearly causal. Look how many goals and assists he contributed and how he was pivotal to the way they played. In the two games he played between his two injuries, they were better for his presence.
They do have several other players injured too though and Billy Davies teams have a history of capitulating, so there is that...
So clearly causal but not in a clear-cut kind of clear? :)
Hendrick's was a lovely calm finish under the keepers legs having been sent through. Looked like one of those chances where you have too much time and inevitably mess it up, but he took it very calmly. He has been very good all through, very comfortable in possession and is playing with confidence. Today and especially the goal was exactly what he needed to get back to where he was pre-injury.
From what I've seen of Forest I would imagine that they'd HUGELY struggle without Reid. Even forgetting about his goals and assists, he is always available for the ball, he holds it up and distributes it well. Take him out and you've a gaping hole in the centre (not a pun on his former level of girth). Everything goes through him.
He'd have been grand weight-wise in the past if everything had gone through him.
On a serious note, is he possibly the biggest waste of talent we've had? Sure there's been lads who've faded in their teens but Reid has sustained a career into his 30s with his magic left foot and just never been quite there fitness wise to really shine at the highest level.
I look at Adel Taarabt scoring freely for AC Milan and you wonder what Andy could have done.
Forest are a push over without Reid yes there are other players out
but with Reid they can get a draw without him they get hammer.
With Reid they can't lose without Reid they can't win.
So anyway.. this Hendrick kid...
http://mhm.hud.ac.uk/newsroom/sites/...Hendrick_0.jpg
He looks...... like a young James Spader.