Keith Fahey

**Stuttgart88** · 27/05/2009, 3:07 PM

Whether someone is international class or not is a dumb way to approach it.

We need a balanced squad with players able to play certain positions and provide cover or alternatives. For example, it's well established that an international squad will have 5 forwards. Are all 5 of ours international class (whatever that is)?

Trap deems Miller to be good enough for the squad. Fahey is probably as good if not better than Miller. Therefore he has a good case to be a candidate for Miller's place.

We have 3 orthodox central midfielders apart from Miller, and there's no way Fahey should be considered ahead of McGeady or Lawrence for the right midfield slot. Miller's place is marginal anyway so any argument over Fahey is a marginal one too.

I personally think that as Fahey has been playing (or training) consistently for 12 months or more he deserves a rest and if he can start pre-season fresh it'll set him up for next year. Then we'll see how he copes. He'll be facing stiff competition from our U21 midfielders before long (Garvan, Quinn, O'Toole & McCann), most directly from Garvan I reckon in terms of style.

**Duggie** · 27/05/2009, 3:11 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Whether someone is international class or not is a dumb way to approach it.

We need a balanced squad with players able to play certain positions and provide cover or alternatives. For example, it's well established that an international squad will have 5 forwards. Are all 5 of ours international class (whatever that is)?

Trap deems Miller to be good enough for the squad. Fahey is probably as good if not better than Miller. Therefore he has a good case to be a candidate for Miller's place.

We have 3 orthodox central midfielders apart from Miller, and there's no way Fahey should be considered ahead of McGeady or Lawrence for the right midfield slot. Miller's place is marginal anyway so any argument over Fahey is a marginal one too.

I personally think that as Fahey has been playing (or training) consistently for 12 months or more he deserves a rest and if he can start pre-season fresh it'll set him up for next year. Then we'll see how he copes. He'll be facing stiff competition from our U21 midfielders before long (Garvan, Quinn, O'Toole & McCann), most directly from Garvan I reckon in terms of style.

oh come on have u seen fahey.....hmmmm fahey miller fahy miller......EH FAHEY

**KK77** · 27/05/2009, 3:13 PM

Originally Posted by MeathDrog

Terrific argument. You've seemed to have won everyone over with that one.

Do you think so really?

Not trying to win anyone over

**Stuttgart88** · 27/05/2009, 3:14 PM

Crikey, do you really think that "Fahey is probably as good as if not better than Miller" is really worth picking up on?

**Duggie** · 27/05/2009, 3:15 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Crikey, do you really think that "Fahey is probably as good as if not better than Miller" is really worth picking up on?

just the probably bit yes.

**Stuttgart88** · 27/05/2009, 3:22 PM

I'd prefer Fahey over Miller but if you look at it objectively Miller has put in more impressive performances at a high-ish level in his career than Fahey has. There's no direct way of comparing so "probably" is justified imho.

I'd imagine that Stephen McPhail is also feeling pretty hard done by at Miller's consistent inclusion. I'd actually be inclined to look at McPhail ahead of Fahey.

But, as I say, it's all marginal because you might as well pick me for the 4th CM spot as it's unlikely to ever be called upon.

**KK77** · 27/05/2009, 3:23 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

I'd prefer Fahey over Miller but if you look at it objectively Miller has put in more impressive performances at a high-ish level in his career than Fahey has. There's no direct way of comparing so "probably" is justified imho.

I'd imagine that Stephen McPhail is also feeling pretty hard done by at Miller's consistent inclusion. I'd actually be inclined to look at McPhail ahead of Fahey.

But, as I say, it's all marginal because you might as well pick me for the 4th CM spot as it's unlikely to ever be called upon.

Good post especially the first paragraph.

**youngirish** · 27/05/2009, 3:24 PM

Originally Posted by Dodge

McCann's not better than Fahey. Saw him play against Birmingham and he was certainly not "international class". TV viewings gave me similar impression

Obviously has more scope to improve

I'd think McCann is a better all round central midfielder than Fahey. Big, strong, good in the air, solid defensively and good going forward. Fahey is playing wide for Birmingham anyway. We can judge after next season when both hopefully get a long run for their respective teams in a higher standard league.

**drummerboy** · 27/05/2009, 3:38 PM

I'm inclined to favour McCann. I have been really impressed when I have seen him play. Reminds me of a young Gareth Barry. Fahey has done well and is far better than Miller who shouldn't be near the squad at this stage.

**Dodge** · 27/05/2009, 6:08 PM

Originally Posted by youngirish

I'd think McCann is a better all round central midfielder than Fahey. Big, strong, good in the air, solid defensively and good going forward. Fahey is playing wide for Birmingham anyway. We can judge after next season when both hopefully get a long run for their respective teams in a higher standard league.

He's better defensively. I just think he's a little too slow, and a bit ponderous on the ball too. As I said before he's got more years in front of him than fahey and hopefully he establishes hmself in the Premier League

**elroy** · 28/05/2009, 8:59 AM

Is Rafa B aka Ciaran?!?! What happened him anyways

**SkStu** · 28/05/2009, 3:56 PM

Originally Posted by Rafa B

International class players and that's not being smart.

the ones he rang rings around from Berlin and Elfsberg?

**irishultra** · 28/05/2009, 11:33 PM

Originally Posted by SkStu

the ones he rang rings around from Berlin and Elfsberg?

No. He has to play against quality players like Grant McCann, Kevin Nolan and Lee Cattermole before he can be considered good enough for the Irish team.

A team who finished 4th in the Bundesliga just won't do.

...........

**Dodge** · 29/05/2009, 8:29 AM

Ireland boss Trapattoni has Birmingham City's Fahey in the frame

**paul_oshea** · 29/05/2009, 8:48 AM

Interesting that many on here keep saying fahey isn't a winger etc, and when he wasn't standing out originally were saying thats cos he is a midfielder not a winger and mcleish is playing him out wide:

“It might have been Sheffield United. We didn’t get control of the game. Keith wasn’t as effective in the middle and Scott Sinclair played on the left and it just didn’t work for us.”

Only one game I know but it sounds like mcleish doesn't see him as a central midfielder....for Brum at least.

**ifk101** · 29/05/2009, 9:10 AM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

Interesting that many on here keep saying fahey isn't a winger etc, and when he wasn't standing out originally were saying thats cos he is a midfielder not a winger and mcleish is playing him out wide:

Originally Posted by Alex McLeish, Birmingham City

Keith�s not a winger

He's not a winger.

**Stuttgart88** · 29/05/2009, 11:01 AM

Originally Posted by Dodge

Ireland boss Trapattoni has Birmingham City's Fahey in the frame

It'd be nice if an Irish paper actually reported some Trapattoni quotes on an Irish international candidate. Why do we have to scour local UK press for this type of thing?