Ian Harte

**SwanVsDalton** · 09/03/2011, 1:14 PM

Originally Posted by Yard of Pace

Would you really play him ahead of Clark or Kilbane. We don't need him, imo. Delighted to see him doing well all the same.

Ahead of Kilbane, yeah I'd consider him. Why not? I probably wouldn't play him ahead of Clark, Cunningham or O'Halloran if I'm totally honest, but that's not really my point - if there was a big game coming up towards the end of the campaign, when experience would be invaluable, and we're short on LB's, he's definitely making a big case for himself.

**Fixer82** · 09/03/2011, 4:54 PM

I would certainly welcome him back into the squad as a left back.
Kilbane did his best in there but he is a winger essentially. He can do a job in centre midfield but he's a winger.

**ken foree** · 09/03/2011, 8:45 PM

love him, a very good player and drogheda man of course but dare i posit the possibility that his pace has not increased over the years? apologies about the alliteration(s)...

**Stuttgart88** · 09/03/2011, 9:50 PM

Full back is a funny position. Ideally you need to be able to defend, and a classic full back has a winger's attributes in terms of maurauding up and down the touchline, but I honestly think a much overlooked aspect of full back play is as a developer of play from deep positions, and as a consequence a central midfielder's comfort on the ball is required. A full back to me must have a central midfielder's gift to pick a good 15 yard pass, usually infield - forward about 45 degrees.

I think that Kevin Foley has this more than any of our right backs, but Harte probably has this more than any of our left backs.

We know what Harte's strengths are and what his weaknesses are. It'd be a big risk to play him in the next 2 games, but a good look at him in a recent friendly may have been a useful exercise. That said, Trap would have been crucified if he hadn't given Clark a proper debut.

**Sullivinho** · 09/03/2011, 10:39 PM

Harte for LB, Mick for manager. The nostalgia is thick in the air this week. We badly need the Poles/Ukrainians and Brazilians to replace the Koreans and Japanese in our hearts. Get major finals laid so to speak.

**theworm2345** · 10/03/2011, 2:48 AM

Originally Posted by Sullivinho

Harte for LB, Mick for manager. The nostalgia is thick in the air this week. We badly need the Poles/Ukrainians and Brazilians to replace the Koreans and Japanese in our hearts. Get major finals laid so to speak.

So...how about a recall for David Connolly

**Colbert Report** · 10/03/2011, 3:45 AM

Reading in the FA Cup against Man City on Sunday, should be on the telly so we can all have a look at how Harte matches up against Premiership opposition. Best of luck to him, I've always loved the guy even though he's a terrible defender.

**tetsujin1979** · 10/03/2011, 9:20 AM

Man City vs Reading is on ESPN, City playing in Kiev tonight, so might not have a fully-fit team ready by Sunday

**Lionel Ritchie** · 13/03/2011, 5:28 PM

Putting in a decent shift at the moment. Reading are a goal down mind. Bullet header.

**Colbert Report** · 13/03/2011, 5:30 PM

Not a bad game from Harte, skinned badly by Silva in the first half though. Not bad for an almost 34 year old player. Not up to international scratch imo. Too bad because I love the guy's free kicks.

**ArdeeBhoy** · 13/03/2011, 7:01 PM

On the evidence of today should be in the current Ireland team. Nothing to do with nostalgia, just ability.

Certainly no worse than, well better, than Kilbane.

**Colbert Report** · 14/03/2011, 1:26 AM

I trust Kilbane a lot more than I would Harte. Kilbane doesn't bring the free kicks though...

**ArdeeBhoy** · 14/03/2011, 11:16 AM

Hmm, the only thing you can trust Kilbane for is to give away a goal v. decent opposition!
And yes I know is committed and gives all in the green etc.

But seriously, he should have been used only as cover post-Staunton, especially this year as Harte has proved himself better this season.

**Murfinator** · 09/04/2011, 4:18 PM

http://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/sp...e-month-award/

Championship player of the month for March, first Irish player in 2 years to take this honour.

Shane Long must have run him close.

He scored another today as well, think thats 11 league goals now?

**ArdeeBhoy** · 10/04/2011, 3:02 AM

Kinda proves what I said above. Trap should see if he's up for a recall....

**cornflakes** · 10/04/2011, 8:55 AM

He should be called up for the American tour and given a chance, his experience could be useful on that tour considering the squad will be mainly made up of chaps

**seanfhear** · 10/04/2011, 9:49 AM

Originally Posted by cornflakes

He should be called up for the American tour and given a chance, his experience could be useful on that tour considering the squad will be mainly made up of chaps

Would he want to go on such a tour at his age and with maybe just a long shot at getting back in the Irish team regularly.

Is Ian not a chap then

**peadar1987** · 10/04/2011, 11:44 AM

That' the problem with the current Irish team. Too many chaps. We need more blokes, and possibly a lad or two.

**Fixer82** · 10/04/2011, 2:54 PM

Originally Posted by peadar1987

That' the problem with the current Irish team. Too many chaps. We need more blokes, and possibly a lad or two.

Is there anything to be said for calling up a few shams??

**BonnieShels** · 10/04/2011, 3:47 PM

Originally Posted by Murfinator

http://www.readingchronicle.co.uk/sp...e-month-award/

Championship player of the month for March, first Irish player in 2 years to take this honour.

Shane Long must have run him close.

He scored another today as well, think thats 11 league goals now?

And it was a cracking free as well.