Irish Abroad 2007/2008

[Stuttgart88]

A clean sheet is fantastic but that was more down to Portsmouth being completely off form. Any time Porsmouth really attacked they troubled the Sunderland defence and Benjani should have done much better when he got behind their defence on a couple of occasions. Anyway, they'll keep their places for the next game but Evans certainly hasn't solved their problems.

I read that McShane repaced Evan for the last 13 mins or so anyway.

He's still work-in-progress as we all know. Andy O'Brien on the other hand is playing very well, is 28 (I think) a really good age for a CB and is the type of CB whose style would most complement Dunne's in my opinion.

Finnan-Dunne-O'Brien-O'Shea is my preferred back 4 if everyone is fit. O'Shea is a worry but it's experienced without being old and would be a good foundation for the rest of the team.

[Manc Irish Wolf]

My brother went to the Wolves v Palace game and was overjoyed at Scannel's performance, as he was absolutely gutted at how toss we played. Reckons it's as a good a performance from a young kid as he's ever seen and sounds like he's the real deal. Started on the right and skinned Micky Gray all game - no great feat maybe ad Gray is getting on, however he has been man of the match in our last couple of games and has international experience.

I know that he's pacy having seen him against Sheff Utd, however it appears that he is strong as well, supposedly holding off hard challenges easily. It sounds like he is playing off Morrison as part of a front three - switching from right flank to left - which is encouraging. Scored a good poachers goal as well. Great news considering the fact that we have a lack of right wingers in the squad. Could also be interesting to see what Him & Keane could offer playing off Doyle as part of a front three.

As for Wolves, Potter & Foley supposedly played well, however Mick persisted with playing Ward & Gibson out of position on the left & right wing. Fear that if he continues with his bizarre tactical decisions (playing players out of position, persisting with underperforming favourites, taking off the best players on the park etc.) he'll be given the sack, or worse still land the Irish Job.

[dr_peepee]

Yes, I think so.

I'm obviously looking through green-tinted specs, but I think Clinton was harshly treated at Birmingham. He was heavily involved in any goal Heskey ever scored and Bruce's purchase of Pandiani to play him ahead of Morrison was ill advised to say the least.

DEfinately. Plus he was crazy unlucky in terms of the amount of times he hit the bar/post in the last few games of his last full season there..... I like him. Under Kerr he clearly scarificed his natural game for the sake of the team (Could be argued he's a better alround player for it though). Watch how he celebrated Kilbanes goal against the Czechs from the bench, plus he turned up to watch the B team at Dalymout. You can't knock his commitment.

As a free transfer on current form I wonder will he get another shot at the premiership???

[livehead1]

Glad to hear someone saying something positive about Clinton Morrison on here. Over the last couple of yearsthere have been far too many detractors due to his apparent reluctance to play for us. Every time he pulls on that green shirt he gives 110% and when I watch him, I certainly feel happy or possibly even proud that he is out there. If all the lads showed the commitment he has shown over the last 3-4 years then I feel we would be a far better side.

[Tipp Townie]

U21 international Shane McFaul has signed for Brighton.

Can anyone give me a bit more info on McFaul? Ashamed to say i've basically neverheard of him before..

[irishfan86]

Best has said that he wants to stay with Coventry despite Forest's interest:

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,195...049438,00.html

[DmanDmythDledge]

Can anyone give me a bit more info on McFaul? Ashamed to say i've basically neverheard of him before..

He's 21 centre midfielder. Played for Ireland from U14 to U21 levels. Played for Cherry Orchard schoolboys, then joined Notts County and was a regular for them at 17, playing right back. Fell out of favour when a new manager was appointed and then released. Played for Virginia in America in the division below MLS for a season before returning to Ireland to play for UCD last season.

[eirebhoy]

Manchester United have completed the signing of the much-sought after Republic of Ireland teenager Robert Brady.

The 16-year-old winger joins from North Dublin club St Kevins Boys after Sir Alex Ferguson beat off competition from several rival Premier League sides chasing the youngster, who will move to United later this year.

more...

[tetsujin1979]

Irish Abroad for Tuesday, 15 January 2008: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroa...ate=2008-01-15
Robbie Keane scores his 99th goal for Spurs. Incidentally, that was the first time he's completed 2 full games in a row for Spurs since October
Michael Spillane makes his first start for Norwich since November 10th.

I've been told some of the stats for players in the lower leagues are inaccurate, so I'll be working on that over the next few days and hope to have it all corrected by the weekend's games

[Metrostars]

Tomorrow is the MLS Draft day where MLS teams can draft college players. Two players of interest:

Joe Lapira: Well documented here for his infamous cap last year against Ecuador, won the Hermann Trophy for best college player in 2006, can third in voting in 2007. He is in the draft but may not be picked as he is rumored to be on his way to Europe.

Ciaran O'Brien: 20, Son of former Bohs & NASL player Fran O'Brien, a midfielder for UC Santa Barbara is leaving college early, apparently got a Generation Adidas contract(i.e. salary does not count towards MLS team cap) so he will probably be picked in the first round or two of the draft.

Will let you all know how it turns out if anyone is interested.

[tetsujin1979]

Tomorrow is the MLS Draft day where MLS teams can draft college players. Two players of interest:

Cheers MetroStars, I was wondering if Rangers had taken Lapira back on trial now that his studies have finished.

[Metrostars]

Cheers MetroStars, I was wondering if Rangers had taken Lapira back on trial now that his studies have finished.

I havent heard anything more about Rangers since the trial. He is in the draft and normally a player of his standard would be taken in the first two rounds. But because teams know he has been actively trialing in Europe and has an EU passport, there is a reasonable chance he may still sign with a Euro team even if he is picked in the draft. If that happens, the MLS team basically wastes its pick on Lapira. But maybe some MLS team might take a chance on that and hope he will sign the contract which would definately be smaller in $$ than what he could make in Europe e.g. maybe $50K/year.

I personally think he will be picked but only in the later rounds(3rd round at the earliest). I doubt a team will use a 1st or 2nd rounder on him unless they have privately spoken to him before hand which they are not supposed to do.

The draft day is usually a lot of fun to see what players go where and can be followed on mlsnet.com
http://web.mlsnet.com/mls/events/superdraft/2008/

[eirebhoy]

I only saw this interview tonight:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5oG-R-fedE

He's not only our most intelligent player on the field but probably off it aswell. Interesting how he rates McPhail.

[tetsujin1979]

JJ O'Toole signs contrac extension until 2011: http://www.watfordfc.premiumtv.co.uk...216945,00.html

[eirebhoy]

His 2nd contract of the season.

[CraftyToePoke]

I only saw this interview tonight:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5oG-R-fedE

He's not only our most intelligent player on the field but probably off it aswell. Interesting how he rates McPhail.

he was lookin a bit sheepish about the favourite food question though EB, I think you will have to admit ?

[eirebhoy]

hehe. "Me ma's stew"

His head looks tiny on that body.

[tetsujin1979]

Irish Abroad for Wednesday, 16 January 2008: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroa...ate=2008-01-16
Chesterfield lost their first game where Adam Rooney scored. However, they have won every away game where he's scored
Stephen Ireland completes 90 minutes for Manchester City for the first time since 1st December
Damien Duff scores for the first time since September 2006

[tetsujin1979]

From football365's rumours section: http://www.football365.com/story/0,1...054590,00.html

QPR have agreed a £1.2million deal for Hull defender Damien Delaney.

Nothing about it on QPR or Hull City's sites though

[gufct]

Its on the BBC Site as well.