Brian Murphy

**KeepersBall** · 23/07/2009, 4:18 PM

The only concern I think most major clubs would have with Murphy is his lack of height.
I know his Wikapedia thing, and some stats have him down as 6'1 but having stood close to him on a number of occasions he is not much bigger than me and I am 5'9.
Am I right on this or am I just imagining it.

**Umberside** · 23/07/2009, 6:24 PM

Originally Posted by DeLorean

Thanks, Jaysus that's a tall order for Celtic. Suppose you don't deserve an easy ride for finishing 2nd in Scotland.

It's there own fault. They messed up last year and are getting what they deserve.

**irishfan86** · 23/07/2009, 6:40 PM

Originally Posted by KeepersBall

The only concern I think most major clubs would have with Murphy is his lack of height.
I know his Wikapedia thing, and some stats have him down as 6'1 but having stood close to him on a number of occasions he is not much bigger than me and I am 5'9.
Am I right on this or am I just imagining it.

I don't know for sure, but he looks under 6' to me.

**OwlsFan** · 24/07/2009, 6:57 AM

Originally Posted by KeepersBall

I know his Wikapedia thing, and some stats have him down as 6'1 but having stood close to him on a number of occasions he is not much bigger than me and I am 5'9.
Am I right on this or am I just imagining it.

Don't know. Never seen the two of you standing together

**EalingGreen** · 03/08/2009, 7:09 PM

Originally Posted by EalingGreen

P.S. The thought occurs that should Murphy get sold, maybe Mannus would be a decent replacement? Linfield won't re-sign him now they've replaced him with Blayney and the Glens won't want him, so I can't see any other IL club being able to match the wages which may be available to him in the LOI.

Half right, at least!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...sh/8182348.stm

**paul_oshea** · 03/08/2009, 7:51 PM

how many caps does he have for NI?

**Dunny** · 03/08/2009, 9:09 PM

4 afaik.

**EalingGreen** · 04/08/2009, 11:01 AM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

how many caps does he have for NI?

Dunny is correct with four. All of them were in friendlies and I'm not sure if he actually completed 90 minutes in any of them.
To be honest, his getting capped is as much a tribute to his positive attitude and "stickability" as his ability (imo).
For when Roy Carroll got fed-up being back-up to Maik Taylor and started acting the maggot, Sanchez and Worthington looked at a number of other keepers, none of whom really shone.
Meanwhile, Mannus hung in there, always ready to answer the call, even if it was only to warm the bench.
At present, it looks to be a toss-up between Mannus and Jonathan Tuffey (22 year old at Partick Thistle) as to who is back-up these days. My suspicion is that Mannus may be relegated to 3rd choice, as Tuffey gains more experience, since he (Tuffey) does look to be a prospect?

That said, I'd guess Mannus will do a good job for Shams, since he has the basics and certainly looks to take his football career very seriously.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Mannus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Tuffey

**ifk101** · 04/08/2009, 11:16 AM

Originally Posted by EalingGreen

That said, I'd guess Mannus will do a good job for Shams, since he has the basics and certainly looks to take his football career very seriously.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Mannus
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jonathan_Tuffey

It's far from certain that Mannus will start for Rovers.

It's a big step up from what he is used to so it'll be interesting to see if he can break into the team.

**EalingGreen** · 04/08/2009, 11:32 AM

Originally Posted by ifk101

It's far from certain that Mannus will start for Rovers.

It's a big step up from what he is used to so it'll be interesting to see if he can break into the team.

Indeed, but Michael O'Neill is reasonably familiar with NI football; more to the point, goalkeeping coach Tommy Wright knows all about Mannus, from his time managing in the IL.
Therefore, I'd doubt whether Shams would have offered Mannus a full-time contract in order to be their designated 2nd choice keeper - I'd expect him to be challenging for a place in the First XI.

**Dodge** · 04/08/2009, 11:45 AM

Originally Posted by ifk101

It's far from certain that Mannus will start for Rovers.

It's a big step up from what he is used to so it'll be interesting to see if he can break into the team.

He will start for them if fit. O'Neill tried to ship Murphy out during the window and has dropped him twice.

For the record neither Brian Murphy is easily the best in this league, but he's not at the level he was last year

**Closed Account** · 06/08/2009, 9:36 AM

Linked with a move to Ipswich

**DmanDmythDledge** · 06/08/2009, 11:21 AM

Originally Posted by joe_denilson

Linked with a move to Ipswich

Wouldn't be a good move for him. He's close to the Ireland squad as it is so no point in ruining his chances by sitting on the bench at Ipswich.

**Razors left peg** · 06/08/2009, 12:08 PM

Originally Posted by DmanDmythDledge

Wouldn't be a good move for him. He's close to the Ireland squad as it is so no point in ruining his chances by sitting on the bench at Ipswich.

If he is to be good enough for international level then surely he must be able to become 1st choice at Ipswich

**DmanDmythDledge** · 06/08/2009, 12:10 PM

Originally Posted by Razors left peg

If he is to be good enough for international level then surely he must be able to become 1st choice at Ipswich

No, Richard Wright is better than him. Ipswich players' and fans' player of the year last season so there's basically no chance of him being signed as first choice.

**Razors left peg** · 06/08/2009, 12:18 PM

Originally Posted by DmanDmythDledge

No, Richard Wright is better than him. Ipswich players' and fans' player of the year last season so there's basically no chance of him being signed as first choice.

Fair enough Richard Wright is a decent keeper but I dont think he's top class.I dont know if Murphy is better than him but if he is to be a regular in the Ireland squad ahead of Westwood in the pecking order then in my opinion Murphy needs to prove to be better than the likes of Wright

**DmanDmythDledge** · 06/08/2009, 4:44 PM

Originally Posted by Razors left peg

Fair enough Richard Wright is a decent keeper but I dont think he's top class.I dont know if Murphy is better than him but if he is to be a regular in the Ireland squad ahead of Westwood in the pecking order then in my opinion Murphy needs to prove to be better than the likes of Wright

I agree, but he's not going to get much of a chance to do that if he's sitting on the bench.

**Razors left peg** · 06/08/2009, 4:57 PM

Originally Posted by DmanDmythDledge

I agree, but he's not going to get much of a chance to do that if he's sitting on the bench.

Thats what crunching tackles in training are for

**EalingGreen** · 06/08/2009, 6:04 PM

Originally Posted by Razors left peg

Thats what crunching tackles in training are for

Hmmm. Wouldn't it be kinda obvious if Murphy ran out of his goal and all the way up to the other end of the field to "crunch" Wright?

Then again, that might be a bonus in the manager's eyes...

**Razors left peg** · 06/08/2009, 6:11 PM

Originally Posted by EalingGreen

Hmmm. Wouldn't it be kinda obvious if Murphy ran out of his goal and all the way up to the other end of the field to "crunch" Wright?

Then again, that might be a bonus in the manager's eyes...

He can just tell Keano he was trying to copy him and be a box to box type player