Rory Delap

**seanfhear** · 24/08/2008, 4:43 PM

Originally Posted by carloz

If we had 11 Kilbanes, all with his attitude and drive in the team, we would be on the right road.

Kilbane has one of the best attitudes I have ever seen in an Irish footballer.He has done numerous different jobs for the Irish team without a whimper of complaint.There must have been times when he could have cried off when one manager or another asked him to perform a role that he knew may not show him in a good light but he has never shirked any challenge for Ireland.It is a pity he is not respected by all Irish supporters for his efforts.

**NeilMcD** · 24/08/2008, 5:01 PM

Lads there is a difference between saying that Kilbane is not up to playing central midfield and not respecting the guy. I think 99 per cent of Irish fans would say he is a top professional and always gives his all for Ireland and for that reason he can be described as a legend for us. However he is lacking in a certain amount of qualities and hence the reason why many on here do not think he should be in the central midfield for us. Simple as that, nobody is having a go at his attitude.

**stiofain** · 24/08/2008, 6:59 PM

Originally Posted by NeilMcD

Lads there is a difference between saying that Kilbane is not up to playing central midfield and not respecting the guy. I think 99 per cent of Irish fans would say he is a top professional and always gives his all for Ireland and for that reason he can be described as a legend for us. However he is lacking in a certain amount of qualities and hence the reason why many on here do not think he should be in the central midfield for us. Simple as that, nobody is having a go at his attitude.

Well said, couldnt have put it better myself.

**Brendan 82** · 24/08/2008, 11:48 PM

I watched the Stoke game and Delap is absolutely brilliant at throwing the ball but its when he has to actually kick it that the problems start. Very unimpressive player.

Lawrence on the other hand looks a good player. Sweet right foot, great crossing and running, confident. I would say his omission from the squad is becoming too glaringly obvious to ignore. I mean Stokes was in the last squad. I know Lawrence is not a striker but I guarantee he will score more goals in the Premiership than Stokes this season.

**Bohemian1890** · 25/08/2008, 12:14 AM

Originally Posted by Brendan 82

I watched the Stoke game and Delap is absolutely brilliant at throwing the ball but its when he has to actually kick it that the problems start. Very unimpressive player.

Lawrence on the other hand looks a good player. Sweet right foot, great crossing and running, confident. I would say his omission from the squad is becoming too glaringly obvious to ignore. I mean Stokes was in the last squad. I know Lawrence is not a striker but I guarantee he will score more goals in the Premiership than Stokes this season.

Stokes is Irish and Lawrence is not the last time Lawrence played in the EPL he did nothing so dont hold your breath.

**OwlsFan** · 25/08/2008, 7:00 AM

Originally Posted by Bohemian1890

Stokes is Irish and Lawrence is not the last time Lawrence played in the EPL he did nothing so dont hold your breath.

Lawrence is English born but he holds an Irish passport. He's a good player and worth a place in the squad.

**Drumcondra 69er** · 25/08/2008, 9:59 AM

Originally Posted by Bohemian1890

Stokes is Irish and Lawrence is not the last time Lawrence played in the EPL he did nothing so dont hold your breath.

That's boll1x, last time Lawrence was in the EPL he was one of the few that looked up to it for Sunderland.

Deserves a place in the squad and already had an Irish passport prior to being called up unlike plenty who've played for us over the years.

**Irish_Praha** · 25/08/2008, 3:23 PM

Originally Posted by Bohemian1890

Stokes is Irish and Lawrence is not the last time Lawrence played in the EPL he did nothing so dont hold your breath.

Lawrence was one of the very few players that had an OK season with Sunderland last time he played in the EPL.

IMO he has definitely earned at least a place in the squad and, depending on how the other options are playing, maybe even a starting place.
Traps decision to use out-and-out wingers and the absence of Stephen Ireland makes Lawrence an even more valuable additon to the squad. McGeady and Duff will interchange for both wings and we have Hunt as cover for the left wing but we have no specialist right wing player as cover. We need Finnan at RB and both the Reids preferably in CMF, Miller is even more anonymous on the wing than in the centre. Lawrence's club form has been excellent for the last year scoring and setting up lots of goals. He's playing with confidence, has an eye for goal and has a real look of determination and urgencey to get forward and put the opposition under pressure. Something Ireland has been missing for the last few years. He should have been given a chance in some of the friendlies to see if he can carry that onto the international stage because McGeady hasn't done it yet. I would have him in the squad ahead of Miller any day. He may be proven to be not good enough but he should have been tried out before now. That would be my only significant criticism of the Trap era until now.

**irishfan86** · 26/08/2008, 12:02 AM

Might be worth a look as a squad player. I don't think he'd be too effective as a throw-in specialist with our team of midgets though.

**NeilMcD** · 26/08/2008, 9:05 AM

Yeah sometimes you should only pick A cause you are also picking B. As in for England I think that Beckham should only play if Heskey and Owen also play and for IReland we should only bring Delap back in if we are also playing Murphy or Folan in the squad.

**minty** · 27/08/2008, 1:36 PM

surely we have better players than delap available to us

**srfc1928** · 14/09/2008, 2:41 PM

just watched Stoke v Everton
Delap had a steady game
but his throws into the box were unreal
Both Stoke goals came from them.
The Everton defence couldnt deal with it and
in the last 15 minutes they were afraid to give away throw ins.
Trap was quoted in the press saying
"Today the midfield is big and strong, that is international football"
Delap is both of those, hes worth a place in the squad

**Drumcondra 69er** · 14/09/2008, 3:17 PM

Originally Posted by srfc1928

just watched Stoke v Everton
Delap had a steady game
but his throws into the box were unreal
Both Stoke goals came from them.
The Everton defence couldnt deal with it and
in the last 15 minutes they were afraid to give away throw ins.
Trap was quoted in the press saying
"Today the midfield is big and strong, that is international football"
Delap is both of those, hes worth a place in the squad

It's bizarre, never seen the like of it in the EPL before, he didn't used to throw it as long as that did he? Last player I can recall doing similar was that Dave Channilor lad for Tranmere under Aldo.

Everton were bricking it every time they gave a throw away and every time Stoke won one towards the end the crowd were lifted as if they had a corner. Have to say, if we were chasing a result it could be a useful weapon last 15 minutes of a game but is he worth a squad place on that alone? He is a solid player if unspectacular.

**srfc1928** · 14/09/2008, 3:44 PM

Originally Posted by Drumcondra 69er

It's bizarre, never seen the like of it in the EPL before, he didn't used to throw it as long as that did he? Last player I can recall doing similar was that Dave Channilor lad for Tranmere under Aldo.

Everton were bricking it every time they gave a throw away and every time Stoke won one towards the end the crowd were lifted as if they had a corner. Have to say, if we were chasing a result it could be a useful weapon last 15 minutes of a game but is he worth a squad place on that alone? He is a solid player if unspectacular.

probably not.
But hes a decent allround player,
and as you said Drums, todays game was bizarre.
it wasnt pretty at times but it was so effectful.
take arsenals second goal at Blackburn yesterday,
it was sheer class, twenty odd passes and Adebyour scores.
complete contrast to Stokes second today.
big throw in to the box, one touch, goal.
And at the end of the day they all count the same. (excuse the cliches)
15 minutes to go and were trailing id like to have the option to bring him on,

**third policeman** · 14/09/2008, 4:48 PM

Would prefer to see Delap in the squad as left back cover rather than Delaney. He is a good all round footballer and the throw ins are unreal. We dont have that many Premiership players that we can afford to overlook Delap and Lawrence.

**sligoman** · 14/09/2008, 4:58 PM

He had some of the best long throws I've ever seen today. Everton put under pressure with each one.

**drummerboy** · 14/09/2008, 9:25 PM

Originally Posted by third policeman

Would prefer to see Delap in the squad as left back cover rather than Delaney. He is a good all round footballer and the throw ins are unreal. We dont have that many Premiership players that we can afford to overlook Delap and Lawrence.

Interesting idea. However the fact that he never played left back before may be a slight drawback.

I think he would be a useful player to have in the squad. Far more useful that Liam Miller.