Two years ago Stan brought the future of Irish soccer to America. Where are they now?

[eirebhoy]

if we're losing 3-0, we're hardly contorlling the game???

Why not? We controlled both games against England and they caught us on the break. Defensively our U21s have been a shambles in many games. They've also failed to take lots of chances. But on the ball in the midfield area our U21's have been very impressive with Gleeson a regular. So in conclusion, I think our U21s are weak up front and in defence but in midfield very strong. Lots of competition in that area as proven by James McCarthy only making the bench in the last game despite doing very well at that level in his few games so far.

[Stuttgart88]

Lots of competition in that area as proven by James McCarthy only making the bench in the last game despite doing very well at that level in his few games so far.

I'm not sure that it proves anything, given who's in charge!

I agree though, the midfield performances from our U21s have been good. At St. Mary's the trio of Garvan, Quinn and O'Toole were superb. Walcott & Lennon were the difference that night.

[Mad Moose]

if we're losing 3-0, we're hardly contorlling the game???

Of course you can. The opposition may only have had a limited number of attempts but were clearly more clinical. You can be absolutely outplayed and win a game. Ask Jack Charlton.

As for the original thread well I think your been a bit unfair on Steve Staunton. I've seen quite a few of the lads in that squad the last couple of seasons and I would have respected Staunton's decision to blood players on a tour. It was always going to be a chance and a gamble on certain players and so it has proved with one or two. Natural wastage however.

We can all stand back in hindsight and draw another nail in Staunton's coffin. Geary was a quick and solid right back whom I liked when I watched him. Sean St Ledger has been growing and developing at Centre Back.Another player I liked. Alex Bruce on the other hand having lived in Ipswich became something of a sicknote and was probably expected to be an excellent defender based on his fathers career. I think Alex suffered breathing difficulties in cold air or something though I'm not certain what medical affliction he had exactly.

Actually looking at the squad the drop off rate of players who didn't make it doesn't actually make for scary reading. Quite a few of that squad are the options available to Trappatoni right now. For players not to fulfill potential isn't a failing of Staunton however. That said one or two of the calls ups were clearly not based on seeing a player but blind hope that because a player isn't Irish he must be good .

[Colbert Report]

I really thought after that tour that Potter would kick on to be a really good player. I suppose with late bloomers like Andrews and Kinsella before him there might be still hope but unlikely unless he has the desire

I agree. I watched those two games a few times that summer. He actually captained the side for around twenty minutes in the second half after Kilbane was subbed off. He looked great in the middle - I thought he was destined for Premiership stardom. Shows you what I know.

[irishfan86]

Colbert, to be fair I think he just benefited from the type of football being played.

Potter is a footballing central midfielder, and really did well in a South-American style game. He doesn't get the time in the Championship that he did against Columbia, and thus he doesn't look like being a Premiership player anytime soon; however, maybe if he was willing to ply his trade somewhere on the Continent where the game is played at a slower pace he could be more effective and further develop his game- not gonna happen though!

[irishultra]

Colbert, to be fair I think he just benefited from the type of football being played.

Potter is a footballing central midfielder, and really did well in a South-American style game. He doesn't get the time in the Championship that he did against Columbia, and thus he doesn't look like being a Premiership player anytime soon; however, maybe if he was willing to ply his trade somewhere on the Continent where the game is played at a slower pace he could be more effective and further develop his game- not gonna happen though!

lol ye never going to happen and tbh his option would be spain or italy and the chances of a club wanting him are slim and theres no point moving to portuguese superliga as frankly the standard is horrible.

[Crosby87]

I went to these games, the only player I remember is Steven Hunt as he was the only one worth anything. I thought he could be a solid player. Ecuador was horrible as they only have life at home on top of the volcano they play on.
Against Ecuador at Giants Stadium, ten years ago it would have been 75% Irish but it was instead 75% Ecuador fans....Sign of the times for this area, all the old school Paddies have moved from Long Island to Florida it seems...
As for Lampara He was still in the NCAA at that time or just removed, never had any thoughts to play for Ireland permanently, just took it all as a fun experience. He's a decent guy.
I think Staunton thought all of us here would get a kick out of seeing an American from a good college team putting on the green sweater but of course no one cared. I also remember Staunton just standing the whole time with his hand on his chin and the game being boring as hell, and thinking Giants Stadium looked strange with no one in the upper section. Ive even been to a college game at Giants Stadium that they can't sell alcohol at and it was more full...
Next game was better I think we were up in Boston.
I would say they should come back but no one cares about exhibition anything here and neither do I. Giants Stadium is minutes from where I grew up, so when we beat Italy in 94 It was one of the most fantastic days of my life, Ireland was late after getting stuck in the Lincoln Tunnel it was hotter than hell, maybe some of you were here. Then they came out and Italy made them go back and change into the White Uniforms as they were supposed to be in, which ****ed the Irish team off. The whole stadium was going oohhh ahh Paul McGrath....anyway I expected some of the same atmosphere for the Ecuador game, just because It seemed like a fun idea but the game sucked and I would probably never bother with a friendly again although like I said Boston was a little better I guess....Plus I dont speakey Spanish so I felt like a stranger in a strange town....

[Metrostars]

I went to the game against Ecuador too, thought that Potter was great. Doyle had a well taken goal.

[Colbert Report]

I felt like a stranger in a strange town....

Robbie Robertson fan?

[Stuttgart88]

I also thought O'Halloran stood out during that tour.

[Dr. Ogba]

same here, looked very composed on the ball and I had high hopes for him after that tour...


Bloody hell what is it with some of our most promising players being absolute crocks?

[the doc]

We can all stand back in hindsight and draw another nail in Staunton's coffin. Geary was a quick and solid right back whom I liked when I watched him. Sean St Ledger has been growing and developing at Centre Back.Another player I liked. Alex Bruce on the other hand having lived in Ipswich became something of a sicknote and was probably expected to be an excellent defender based on his fathers career..

From what I've been told,

St Ledger, got injured whilst training with the squad in Dublin and had to return to Preston for treatment.

He was down to start the games in America, instead Bruce started in the 1st game.

Unimpressed by Bruce's performance, Staunton wanted St Ledger to be flown over for the game in Boston but PNE wouldn't allow it, as they didn't want St Ledger to be risked having a further injury.

I think St Ledger has just been unlucky not be in any of the squads, although it hasn't been helped by Trapp's blinkered squad selection and DG's "alledged" bias and grudges.

[Jicked]

Is there an "ignore" function on these forums whereby I can not be shown posts from certain posters?

[SkStu]

Jicked, there is no problem with the docs post above.

I agree that he has trolled on other threads but that post is fine.

Anyway, yes there is an ignore function which i have used on weldoninhio.

[eirebhoy]

I went to these games, the only player I remember is Steven Hunt as he was the only one worth anything.

I don't remember many of us on here thinking that at the time. He played central midfield if I remember and solid was about as far as it got. Did hardly anything of note. Potter was certainly the main man and judging by the Wolves game last night I wouldn't write a player off because they can't hack that league.

doc - remind us again why Givens holds a grudge against Ledger?