Keith Fahey

[ifk101]

I watched the Sheffield Utd game a week or two ago and I thought the game literally flew over Keith Fahey's head. A game of poor individual skill, defined by non-stop aimless long balls up and down the pitch which suggests that lower level British football doesn't allow for creativity. I think the ball needs to played through Fahey, ie give him a playmaker role as he had with Pats, to get the best out of him. Unfortunately I don't think Championship football allows for that type of player. It seems to be that any player that is quick footed and able to control the ball is moved out to the wing and the hard-tackling, box to box players are put in the centre. The only worry I have for Fahey is that the good footballer in him will be coached out of him at a Championship club. But here's hoping that isn't the case.

[livehead1]

The only worry I have for Fahey is that the good footballer in him will be coached out of him at a Championship club. But here's hoping that isn't the case.

Well if it wasn't coached out of him in the EL I'm sure it'll remain with him now!

[Dodge]

Standard response from livehead.

There's absolutely no doubt that Pats play better football than Birmingham. Fahey spoke inthe Birmingham programme for the Burnley game that players in the LOI are as technically proficient as those in the Championship. The difference he felt was pace

[ifk101]

Well if it wasn't coached out of him in the EL I'm sure it'll remain with him now!

It's called the LOI btw and coaching is unheard of.

[Plastic Paddy]

I watched the Sheffield Utd game a week or two ago and I thought the game literally flew over Keith Fahey's head. A game of poor individual skill, defined by non-stop aimless long balls up and down the pitch which suggests that lower level British football doesn't allow for creativity... The only worry I have for Fahey is that the good footballer in him will be coached out of him at a Championship club. But here's hoping that isn't the case.

I think your generalisation of Championship football is the undoing of your argument.

Unlike Sheffield United, with their overtly phyiscal style, Southampton try to play a passing game, using all aspects of their midfield, and as such this allowed Fahey the time and space to enter the game on Saturday (as Guus Hiddink said recently, clever players can always find space against a passing team). They are not alone in this approach in the division; watch Doncaster under Sean O'Driscoll, Ipswich, Cardiff and even Watford just now for teams that like to play a quick passing game across the pitch. Three of these teams are currently on their best runs of the season; in the latter case, a new manager has quickly imposed this kind of game on what was previously a long-ball side and is earning plaudits for doing so.

My one slight criticism of Fahey is that he is not physical enough and - here I agree with you - this could be his undoing against the likes of Sheffield United, where the likes of Chris Morgan won't hesitate to put two feet through him. He needs to spend some serious time in the gym this summer as he won't get any respite from this kind of game if/when Birmingham are promoted. Two words - Nemanja Vidic...

PP

[Plastic Paddy]

Slightly off topic but you get to look at barnet these pp? John o'flynn seems to be flying...

Hey Dodge, good to hear from you. Simply put, JOF is too good for Barnet! 14 goals in 27 games makes him the Bees' highest scorer by a country mile and makes him the difference between staying in the Football League and going down again. If I'm being honest I can't see him staying past the summer but if/when he leaves he'll do so with thanks from all at Underhill, especially since he should garner the club a half-decent transfer fee for doing s0.

I'm off to the Bee derby tonight (Brentford v Barnet at Griffin Park - Mrs PP is from a Brentford-supporting family so that'll give the game a little extra zest) and will let you know how he gets on.

PP

[ifk101]

I think your generalisation of Championship football is the undoing of your argument.

But you are in agreement.

You suggest he'll need to focus on the physical side of his game. This leads to the war of attrition element in the British game - your Sheff Utd - Birmingham fixtures so to speak. I just feel the aspects of his game that caught the attention of Birmingham in the first place will now be ignored in favour of turning him into another anonymous Championship standard player.

But anyways good to see him getting on the score sheet.

[Sligo Hornet]

Hey Dodge, good to hear from you. Simply put, JOF is too good for Barnet! 14 goals in 27 games makes him the Bees' highest scorer by a country mile and makes him the difference between staying in the Football League and going down again. If I'm being honest I can't see him staying past the summer but if/when he leaves he'll do so with thanks from all at Underhill, especially since he should garner the club a half-decent transfer fee for doing s0.

I'm off to the Bee derby tonight (Brentford v Barnet at Griffin Park - Mrs PP is from a Brentford-supporting family so that'll give the game a little extra zest) and will let you know how he gets on.

PP

It'll be down to me then tonight PP to roar on the "Larger Stingers" to 3 points!!

[Dodge]

When O'Flynn was fit, he was the best striker I've seen in this country. Fabulous finisher

[pete]

When O'Flynn was fit, he was the best striker I've seen in this country. Fabulous finisher

The first season he was with us he was unstoppable - used to make superb runs & very difficult to mark. Never the same since injury at Belfield.

[Plastic Paddy]

But you are in agreement.

Not so. While I agree with much of your conclusion, the situation is more nuanced than your argument suggests and this is what I expanded on in a previous post.

You suggest he'll need to focus on the physical side of his game. This leads to the war of attrition element in the British game - your Sheff Utd - Birmingham fixtures so to speak. I just feel the aspects of his game that caught the attention of Birmingham in the first place will now be ignored in favour of turning him into another anonymous Championship standard player.

As I stated previously, the Championship is not all about the physical game - perfectly good footballing sides can and will continue to do well. Whether Birmingham's coaching staff are capable of further developing the playmaking side of Fahey's game remains to be seen, though; seven games played is too early to judge their impact in this regard.

But anyways good to see him getting on the score sheet.

Agreed. Here's to many more.

PP

[Saint_Charlie]

"It's going well for me at the minute and it was a big boost for me to score again on Saturday. The first goal I scored for Birmingham was a fluke, it was a cross that somehow managed to go in but the goal at the weekend was definitely intentional and I'll claim it," Fahey told the Herald.

"I think I have improved a lot as a player since I came over here. I am learning something new every day and that's what happens when you're training with people like Stephen Carr and Lee Carsley all the time.

"They are all top class players, we have people like Lee Bowyer and Garry O'Connor as well and even though I am still learning and building up my fitness I feel I am on the same level as them, I certainly don't feel out of place.

"Carr and Carsley have played for Ireland before and, who knows, they might get the chance again, and playing international football is something I really want to do.

"But it's something I will probably have to wait for. It doesn't look like it's going to happen in the short term. All I can do is hope that the Irish management come to our games, see me play and that they like what they see.

"I'm not going to start shouting about me not being in the squad, I know I'll have to wait for my chance to come along, all I can do is keep playing well for Birmingham and maybe score a few more goals to get noticed.

"But I feel that I would be capable of being involved at that level, I am playing with and against international players all the time here at Birmingham and I certainly don't feel out of place," added Fahey.

.....

[NeilMcD]

Great comments from Fahey, feet on the ground and confident without being cocky. He pitched that interview brilliantly.

[Billsthoughts]

He seems a tidy enough player and I was impressed at his speedy transition from the eL to the upper reaches of the Championship.

yet you have never seen him play for pats? so what transition are you impressed by?

Anyone know how he got on yesterday?

i think he would be a player who would benefit from playing with bright footballing footballers..am not sure they are at Birmingham. But take PPs point that they may be at other clubs in the league.

[Saint_Charlie]

http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...e-1682356.html
Very good article on Fahey's rise from Villa to where he is now.

[paul_oshea]

read it Monday very good alright. insightful and good of him to remember those he stayed with too and to visit them.

[Razors left peg]

http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...e-1682356.html
Very good article on Fahey's rise from Villa to where he is now.

Excellent article

[lionelhutz]

I see Fahey played the full 90 mins in last nights big win against Wolves.

Anybody watch it? How did he play?

[Stuttgart88]

It was a brutal game played at a fast pace on a dreadful pitch. He barely got on the ball. He had one opportunity to make a telling contribution but hit a first time ball into a defender when a better ball or better decision may have been more productive. He took the resulting corner but not very accurately. Messi would have struggled to look good in that game. Lee Carsley's tackle that resulted in a straight red was one of the game's more delicate moments.

[lionelhutz]

It was a brutal game played at a fast pace on a dreadful pitch. He barely got on the ball. He had one opportunity to make a telling contribution but hit a first time ball into a defender when a better ball or better decision may have been more productive. He took the resulting corner but not very accurately. Messi would have struggled to look good in that game. Lee Carsley's tackle that resulted in a straight red was one of the game's more delicate moments.

Thanks Stutts. By the way McLeish was talking after the game, i thought they had played very well - maybe he was just on a high after the win. Did Carsley deserve to go?