Irish Wolves and Opposition Irish

**drummerboy** · 07/11/2011, 4:46 PM

It takes a while for most players to settle into international football. Ward has been converted to full back in recent years but his performances have continued to improve at club level. He needs to bring that improvement to international football. Perhaps if he had have been blooded earlier in friendlies, he would have been well settled in by now.

**Manc Irish Wolf** · 07/11/2011, 4:58 PM

Ward is improving and incrementally becoming a better player season by season. As you mention he started off getting booed by a section of Wolves "Supporters" following his transition to Left Wing, then Left Back a couple of seasons ago. However, his determination and willingness to learn has resulted in an absolute transition with the fans, so much so that having previously been the boo boys favourite dubbed "Son of Mick" I heard various remarks around me yesterday saying how he should be made Captain as "he's the only one who tries".

Even when we went to 1-1 and could have potentially toppled, he was the one taking the game to them with his marauding runs. I'm not saying that he is Paulo Maldini by any stretch of the imagination, however attack is the best form of defence and rather than getting beat by his first half performance, he had the strength of mind to fight on and provide a much better performance in the 2nd half. You could see the way that he ran into the fans and how well he was received by them to see how much the fans now love him. We appreciate that he is not the best left back in the world, however he is a good, intelligent, progressively improving footballer and his fight and determinantion are second to none (the latter of which is the most important thing to me when ever I see someone playing in an Ireland Shirt).

Also Paul, when you ask how long have we got to wait and see? - Ask yourself how many has he played in a settled defence considering we haven't played the same back 4 once in the last 5-6 games (this may not be completely accurate, however isn't far wrong). Also, it takes time to build partnerships with wingers on the flank.

Finally, it appears that we're giving a trial to Grahan Cummins of Cork City, so we might have another Irishman in the ranks. Does anybody know much about him? Or, think that he'd make the grade?

http://www.herald.ie/sport/soccer/co...-2927628.html?

**SwanVsDalton** · 07/11/2011, 5:01 PM

I have to say the thing about Ward that most impressed me is his willingness to get on the ball. Particularly I remember when half the team appeared to be hiding against Slovakia, Ward continually offered Given an out ball and he more often than not drove forward with purpose. He didn't always use it brilliantly but he stood out compared to some more experienced players who didn't appear to want to know. Moreover Ward had a totally out of sorts McGeady in front of him that game.

**tetsujin1979** · 07/11/2011, 5:08 PM

Originally Posted by drummerboy

It takes a while for most players to settle into international football. Ward has been converted to full back in recent years but his performances have continued to improve at club level. He needs to bring that improvement to international football. Perhaps if he had have been blooded earlier in friendlies, he would have been well settled in by now.

And if my auntie had balls...

**SwanVsDalton** · 07/11/2011, 5:10 PM

Originally Posted by drummerboy

Perhaps if he had have been blooded earlier in friendlies, he would have been well settled in by now.

He was blooded in friendlies. Don't think we really have the squad depth to give people 5/6 friendlies, he played in two and proved himself ready for a competitive game.

**geysir** · 07/11/2011, 6:14 PM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

On this matter?

Ya geysir, I'm more than happy to be proved wrong as you (were about mccarthy and macedonia and playing the away leg) when it comes to Irish players if they prove me wrong for the good. I don't know how long we have to wait and see though really....anyone could hold out for that - which is what I'm getting at, he is old enough, playing PL football and in and around the Irish squad for long enough.

You are focussed on people being right and being wrong, most things are guesswork at best, depending on a myriad of factors which you can't predict.

I don't know what you are on about McCarthy. He turned up, he wasn't good enough then, though he was given a tough ask. He didn't turn up after that and now he can barely get into the squad and no one is complaining that he should start ahead of the others. Simply, he is not good enough to start and nothing to do with Trap not liking his style of play or Trap's ultra conservative approach.

**Stuttgart88** · 07/11/2011, 6:28 PM

Originally Posted by Manc Irish Wolf

Also Paul, when you ask how long have we got to wait and see?

Paul may well be right (or wrong), and who knows how long it'll take. Anyone here interested in economic history (you should be given the state of the world!)? It reminds me of John Maynard Keynes' riposte to Hayek, who contended that if a laissez-faire approach is taken, the Great Depression will cure itself given long enough. Keynes replied "in the long run we're all dead".

Hayek would say that left in the side long enough Ward will be found out. Keynes would have said "the alternative is an even worse left back".

**tricky_colour** · 07/11/2011, 7:05 PM

I think people should remember that Hunt won a penalty as well as gave away one.

1+-1=0.

Well he would have had a penalty if he had 'dived' anyway, but he should have had one anyway. Very rare to see such honesty in the game.

Secondly if it were not for Hunt Wolves would be in the Championship.

The also did a very nice back heel, something Wolves appear to have been practising!

**tricky_colour** · 07/11/2011, 7:23 PM

Originally Posted by geysir

Can Hunt tackle or does he just clatter into players?
That penalty he gave away was just clueless defending in the box.

Moses clattered into Hunt

**theworm2345** · 07/11/2011, 7:24 PM

Originally Posted by tricky_colour

Moses clattered into Hunt

That was Boyce...

**tricky_colour** · 07/11/2011, 7:45 PM

Did I mention that Ward is the highest rated player on the Actim index at #46?

**tricky_colour** · 07/11/2011, 7:46 PM

Originally Posted by theworm2345

That was Boyce...

Well who whoever it was he needs to look where he is going!!!

**Charlie Darwin** · 07/11/2011, 8:55 PM

They've obviously got the list upside down.

**SkStu** · 07/11/2011, 11:23 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Paul may well be right (or wrong), and who knows how long it'll take. Anyone here interested in economic history (you should be given the state of the world!)? It reminds me of John Maynard Keynes' riposte to Hayek, who contended that if a laissez-faire approach is taken, the Great Depression will cure itself given long enough. Keynes replied "in the long run we're all dead".

Hayek would say that left in the side long enough Ward will be found out. Keynes would have said "the alternative is an even worse left back".

Leave her alone Keynes, you bummer!

**The Legend** · 08/11/2011, 4:49 AM

thanks stu, best post ive seen on here!

**paul_oshea** · 08/11/2011, 8:01 AM

Wow, she slipped into my mind when stutts mentioned that, but never would i have the time ah no been able to find that photo

Well done is right stu.

**SwanVsDalton** · 08/11/2011, 9:19 AM

Stu - your cache of talent photos is difficult to top.

**dr_peepee** · 08/11/2011, 7:40 PM

Originally Posted by Kingdom

haven't seen as much of Tierney, is he worth a shot in the friendlies?

Can't say.. I've only seen Norwich highlights on MOTD and the like so haven't an informed opinion.... I haven't placed too much stock in his presence in a premiership side though cos it wasn't too long ago that the like of Geary spent a full season in the Premiership with Sheffield at left full and that didn't amount to much.

Hopefully it'll bare fruit...

**theworm2345** · 19/11/2011, 3:31 PM

Interesting passage of play just now, Coleman with an excellent run down the right, beat Elokobi to get in to the box, cut it across and Cahill had a great chance but a great block for Ward (at right back?) to keep it 1-1. Coleman appears to be having a very good game, been watching more of the Stoke game.