Potentially eligible players thread

**DannyInvincible** · 28/06/2011, 4:44 AM

Originally Posted by CraftyToePoke

Was thinking the same earlier, I think he might be. Cant see why not unless there is an age cap on switching, he is 31 I think. It all died down after they capped him, naturally enough, but he only played friendlies, and we know what that can mean, eh, James McCarthy ?

Yeah, he must be. There's no age-cap on switching any longer and only senior competitive games tie a player under the current rules. The age-cap used to be 21 but FIFA lifted it two years ago. When Knight was capped by England in 2005, he would have been in his mid-20s and FIFA had yet to scrap the age-cap, so he would only have become eligible for us again in 2009.

**Junior** · 28/06/2011, 8:22 AM

What this does tell us is.....if Zat Knight can get a cap for England then surely O'Hara can! Capello call him up asap.

**dotts101** · 28/06/2011, 10:12 AM

would never want knight near the aviva stadium or green jersey

**Wolfie** · 28/06/2011, 12:30 PM

Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

Out of interest, is Zat Knight still eligible to play for us? He was capped twice by England but both times were friendlies.

Would set a dangerous precedent if we kept the door open for this geezer.

He made his choice and that should be the end of it.

**Murfinator** · 28/06/2011, 1:06 PM

Originally Posted by Scooby Doo

Ok, fair enough point, but do you really think that if Capello came calling for their friendly game in August that O'Hara would feel the need to 'consider it' or 'talk it over with his family'? Of course not. He is without question keeping his options open with Ireland. Fine, he's entitled to dual identity and maybe he feels he has a better shot at playing at a EC/WC with England, which is fair enough. However, if after the September games we are in a good position to qualify and he suddenly decides he wants to declare, then he should be told where to go.

Also, not digging at you, CraftyTP, but I really don't get this notion that O'Hara deserves some sort of credit for the 'diplomacy' not bluntly stating that England is by far is first choice. The difference between O'Hara and lads like Pennant and Zat Knight is that they are clearly both just tactless morons.

I don't really see that happening, Trap isn't someone who likes to introduce people out of nowhere in the middle of a campaign. I believe Cox only got his callup because other choices didn't show. If he had his way I think he'd have liked to have had Walters, Folan, Best and Stokes there and not a newcomer Cox. If O'Hara were to make himself available right now I don't think he'd be considered unless others had injury problems or Gibson-itus.

**Noelys Guitar** · 28/06/2011, 3:17 PM

I thought O'Hara's form dipped late in the season for Wolves. He played well for 4 or 5 games when he first signed and then his passing particulary started to suffer. Not sure he is any better than what he have at the moment so don't see him getting a call up now.

**Stuttgart88** · 28/06/2011, 4:14 PM

Originally Posted by Murfinator

I believe Cox only got his callup because other choices didn't show.

I thought Cox was in the original squad. He probably only played because others didn't turn up.

**Deckydee** · 29/06/2011, 7:38 AM

Originally Posted by Murfinator

I don't really see that happening, Trap isn't someone who likes to introduce people out of nowhere in the middle of a campaign. I believe Cox only got his callup because other choices didn't show. If he had his way I think he'd have liked to have had Walters, Folan, Best and Stokes there and not a newcomer Cox. If O'Hara were to make himself available right now I don't think he'd be considered unless others had injury problems or Gibson-itus.

LOL - Whats the cure for that?

**AlaskaFox** · 29/06/2011, 9:03 AM

Originally Posted by Deckydee

LOL - Whats the cure for that?

Shots.

**DannyInvincible** · 29/06/2011, 11:55 AM

Originally Posted by Wolfie

Would set a dangerous precedent if we kept the door open for this geezer.

He made his choice and that should be the end of it.

God no; certainly wasn't advocating anything of the sort, ha. Whatever happened to chaps like Hogan Ephraim and Kyle Naughton, mind? What other names were being thrown around?

**CraftyToePoke** · 29/06/2011, 1:14 PM

Originally Posted by DannyInvincible

God no; certainly wasn't advocating anything of the sort, ha. Whatever happened to chaps like Hogan Ephraim and Kyle Naughton, mind? What other names were being thrown around?

I wouldnt advocate the return of Zat Knight either, just to clear that up ! I was very relieved when England token capped him and I think he is a fine example of guys alluded to in the St Ledger thread who are not as good as SSL but carving out a living as Prem players.

Adam Hamill was one, Luke Chambers another and Richard Stearman was also mentioned. Jonjo Shelvy was also approached I think. Connolly at OPR, McGugan at Forest was also mentioned.

There will be a few more as well Id imagine as the trawl continues.

**TrapAPony** · 29/06/2011, 3:24 PM

Aside from the above - Jermaine Pennant, Anton Ferdinand, Darren Ambrose, Marc Tierney, Gary O'Neil, Alex Pearce, Andy Lonergan......

**ifk101** · 29/06/2011, 6:02 PM

..... Sunderland's new signing Connor Wickham.

**the bear** · 29/06/2011, 9:30 PM

Originally Posted by ifk101

..... Sunderland's new signing Connor Wickham.

where did you hear that ifk101?

**paul_oshea** · 29/06/2011, 9:39 PM

its all over the news!

**the bear** · 29/06/2011, 9:43 PM

hadn't heard, whats the craic has he switched?

all google can come up with is that worthington was trying to get him in 2010.

his da is from NI

**CraftyToePoke** · 29/06/2011, 10:28 PM

Originally Posted by the bear

hadn't heard, whats the craic has he switched?

all google can come up with is that worthington was trying to get him in 2010.

his da is from NI

I think Roy Keane spoke of it while at Ipswich, but said also it was unlikely.

Edit : Its in the text of this piece : http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...o-2159088.html

**the bear** · 30/06/2011, 5:13 PM

i presume paul oshea ment that him signing with sundrland was all over the news then, can't see this fella declaring for us

**Paddy Garcia** · 30/06/2011, 5:52 PM

This is one of those threads where you just know there will be no material developments relating to the title - whatever the additional number of posts/pages.

..... yet I still click to see the latest!!

**CraftyToePoke** · 01/07/2011, 1:20 AM

Originally Posted by Paddy Garcia

yet I still click to see the latest!!

Here it is, Paddy Garcia, the latest, and also a pretty pointless product of my bout of insomnia!

GK: Alex McCarthy

RB : Naughton
CB : Chambers
CB : Ferdinand
LB : Stearman

RM : Pennant
LM : Hammil
CM : O'Hara
CM: Noble

CF: Wickham
CF : Shelvey

Bench
Lonergan (GK)
Connolly (CB/RB)
Ephiram (LM)
Ambrose (CM)
McGugan (CM)

Some tenuous positional placements, but a semi decent eleven and bench, lined up in comparison against our own actual Irishmen, not really worth bending over backward for either though.