Keith Fahey

**Charlie Darwin** · 07/07/2010, 10:26 PM

He's improving but I think he has some way to go if he's to combine the attacking and defensive aspects of his game. At the moment, he seems capable of doing a defensive job but he's never really showed the range of passing and goal threat that he did in the LOI and the Championship.

**irishfan86** · 07/07/2010, 11:01 PM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

He's improving but I think he has some way to go if he's to combine the attacking and defensive aspects of his game. At the moment, he seems capable of doing a defensive job but he's never really showed the range of passing and goal threat that he did in the LOI and the Championship.

I think he lacks the pace to be an effective wide player at the top level, but isn't strong enough to play as a central midfielder in the Premier League.

Ideally, he'd want to play as a more advanced playmaker with one or two defensive midfielders behind him, but I don't think he's considered (or is) good enough to build a Premier League side around.

That doesn't mean he can't contribute, but I just think that with his attributes this is as good as it will get for him, at least in Britain. I'd say continental sides would be more inclined to play a player of his ability centrally. It's too bad he didn't get that move to Germany that time, he could have really excelled there.

**mark12345** · 08/07/2010, 10:31 PM

You hit the nail on the head Irishfan. Doesn't make Fahey a bad player cause he can't fit into the system in a mid-tier English side. You've illustrated nicely the limitations of the English game. Whereas if he was in Germany (like you suggest) his skills would be more catered to. We could say that for several Irish lads who went across the water in years gone by. Like you I would love to see Irish kids broaden their horizons a bit more and take in Holland, Germany or wherever.

**Junior** · 09/07/2010, 1:10 PM

In relation to that point (one that is raised on many threads within this forum). Often the Irish players from LOI are perhaps criticised for not venturing further than England to try and improve their skills. I wonder what level of resources Holland, Germany, Scandinavia, Belgium, Italy put in to trying to pick up young talent from Ireland? - I dont know the answer but I would second guess it is minimal.

Perhaps the opportunites just dont exist and it would be down to the player (agent - if he had one) to go out and sell himself.

England is definitely the easy option but going abroad would not be as easy at it may seem ignoring the obvious, language, cultural, homesick type issues - just getting a club to show interest would be difficult.

It would be great if Trap, Tardelli, Wim Koevermans et al could use their network of contacts to facilitate this type of stuff.

**Dodge** · 09/07/2010, 1:26 PM

Thats it spot on Junior. Clubs in those leagues already have well established scouting nets set up and they don't include Ireland. We've had a few move but the clubs aren't interested.

**irishfan86** · 09/07/2010, 4:13 PM

I always find it bizarre that Juventus picked up Ronnie O'Brien and gave him a five-year deal. How the hell did that happen? Good times.

**Dodge** · 09/07/2010, 4:17 PM

Originally Posted by irishfan86

I always find it bizarre that Juventus picked up Ronnie O'Brien and gave him a five-year deal. How the hell did that happen? Good times.

then didn't play him once...

mad stuff alright

**Docboy** · 09/07/2010, 4:22 PM

Believe it was something to do with Paul Merson's agent, Merson was playing with Boro at the time. There's a link below:

http://www.independent.ie/sport/obri...ub-414021.html

**SkStu** · 09/07/2010, 4:27 PM

Originally Posted by irishfan86

I always find it bizarre that Juventus picked up Ronnie O'Brien and gave him a five-year deal. How the hell did that happen? Good times.

Originally Posted by Dodge

then didn't play him once...

mad stuff alright

Pat Devlins mafia connections. Obviousdy owed a favour from some Italian don. Its the only viable explanation.

**Charlie Darwin** · 09/07/2010, 4:34 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

Thats it spot on Junior. Clubs in those leagues already have well established scouting nets set up and they don't include Ireland. We've had a few move but the clubs aren't interested.

I imagine a lot of it has to do with our clubs not progressing further in European competition. If the likes of Bohs and Rovers were able to break through to the Europa groups I'd imagine there'd be a bit more interest, both directly in the clubs and the country in general. I'm guessing a lot of European clubs and scouts just assume England has dibs on our players anyway.

**outspoken** · 09/07/2010, 4:43 PM

well done to Keith on getting a new contract with Birmingham

**geysir** · 09/07/2010, 5:19 PM

Originally Posted by mark12345

You hit the nail on the head Irishfan. Doesn't make Fahey a bad player cause he can't fit into the system in a mid-tier English side. You've illustrated nicely the limitations of the English game. Whereas if he was in Germany (like you suggest) his skills would be more catered to. We could say that for several Irish lads who went across the water in years gone by. Like you I would love to see Irish kids broaden their horizons a bit more and take in Holland, Germany or wherever.

On the BBC, during one of the Germany games at the WC, Ozil was described as a "luxury player" and this was after he had already demonstrated what he was about.
More fool the people who swallow that guff.

**Dodge** · 11/08/2010, 10:11 AM

Making his first start tonight. Obviously a few out but nice for the lad to get to play Argentina in the Aviva

**Stuttgart88** · 11/08/2010, 11:00 AM

Yes, good luck to him. Will he be on the right? Is it fair to play him there, or will Duff probably start on the right?

**Dodge** · 11/08/2010, 11:10 AM

He's on the right apparently. He's better in the centre but he's not a Trap type central midfielder. he's right footed, despite playing for Birmingham on the left sometimes

**osarusan** · 13/08/2010, 12:46 PM

On the BBC there is an article about how EPL clubs will cope with the new rules regarding 'home-grown' players.

According to the BBC

From 1 September, teams must name a 25-man squad containing at least eight 'home-grown' players, with any number of under-21s, regardless of their nationality, allowed to supplement that squad.

A player is regarded as home-grown if he has spent 36 months or more with a club associated with the English or Welsh FA before his 21st birthday - or the end of the season during which he turns 21.

Keith Fahey is listed by them as one of Birmingham's senior home-grown players. Is this wrong? Or was he at Villa long enough to qualify?