Kevin Nolan anyone?

[third policeman]

Third Policeman is probably on the OWC forum touting the merits of Nolan as we speak. But do really think Nolan is better than our current crop of midfielders and Premiership players such as Fahey, A. Reid and McCann who are currently outside the squad?

Suggest you check out OWC before speculating in future. Is it the residual affection / interest in NI as my second international affiliation or a dislike of Nolan that gets you going? Either way if this was not a legitimate subject for a thread, it wouldn't be attracting this many comments. Agree that A. Reid, McCann and fahey should also be in contention, but as i said we have a lot of midfield dross in our squad at the minute and I would happily substitute Nolan and your suggested trio for Miller, Hunt, Whelan and Gibson.

[Scooby Doo]

Third Policeman is probably on the OWC forum touting the merits of Nolan as we speak. But do really think Nolan is better than our current crop of midfielders and Premiership players such as Fahey, A. Reid and McCann who are currently outside the squad?

I'm not familiar with TP's posting history. All i'm saying is that it was a valid thread started with the with the intention of generating further discussion on Nolan's eligability and possible (if not very likely) selection. I agree that yes Fahey should be given a chance and i'm disappointed that he hasn't already. I also agree that Reid should be included, even if it is to only bolster the squad. Similarly I think Nolan, a player with much Premiership experience could add to our squad. If he doesn't fancy it, fine, leave him be. No harm in Trap approaching him. Maybe he already has? We don't know. But yes, if Nolan was willing, I would like to see him as part of our 27-odd man squad.

[Closed Account 2]

To Music

"Its too late baby its too late"

To bring this guy in now would be just a step too far.
He had enough chances to choose to play for Ireland and he choose not to.
That should be the end of it.

But did he have major chances ? He first came up in the context of Brian Kerr, then Stan and then it was assumed that he was no longer a possible player.

The FAI was pretty inept during the Kerr-Stan era, who knows if he was contacted about playing and how serious the contact was. We've seen on this very forum the FAI has to be jolted in to action (I forget the name of the Dutch / Irish youth player who was discussed a year or so ago). Other players like Ronnie O'Brien have slipped under the FAI radar... I wouldn't underestimate the ability of the FAI to have stuffed this up all those years ago.

[Scooby Doo]

But did he have major chances ? He first came up in the context of Brian Kerr, then Stan and then it was assumed that he was no longer a possible player.

The FAI was pretty inept during the Kerr-Stan era, who knows if he was contacted about playing and how serious the contact was. We've seen on this very forum the FAI has to be jolted in to action (I forget the name of the Dutch / Irish youth player who was discussed a year or so ago). Other players like Ronnie O'Brien have slipped under the FAI radar... I wouldn't underestimate the ability of the FAI to have stuffed this up all those years ago.

Absolutely agree.

[ifk101]

On the contrary, I think the FAI has quite a strong understanding of who's eligible. That's one element somebody like Kerr would also have brought to the job with him.

As for our midfield options, the central midfielders are restricted in what they are asked to do by Trapattoni. Throwing an average player in there like Nolan is not going to improve things.

[Wolfie]

Nolan's commitment to the cause has got to be questioned.

Paraphrasing here, but didn't he say at one stage "I'm aware of the Irish Interest, but I also qualify to play for Holland".

This was also on foot of a concerted media plea by Nolan to Sven Goran Erikson to pick him for England.

[drummerboy]

Its been mentioned before that he was actually in Dalymount for a Youth international under Kerr and he opted out at the last minute. So he made his decision, let it go.

[Scooby Doo]

On the contrary, I think the FAI has quite a strong understanding of who's eligible. That's one element somebody like Kerr would also have brought to the job with him.

As for our midfield options, the central midfielders are restricted in what they are asked to do by Trapattoni. Throwing an average player in there like Nolan is not going to improve things.

Ok it sounds as if you know the workings of the FAI better than I do. I'm just reminded of the case of Barry Maguire (as mentioned above) where AFAIR the FAI were prompted by a FOOT.IE poster to call him up (a call up he declined, but thats beside the point) - not professional scouting at its best if you ask me.

[DeLorean]

Throwing an average player in there like Nolan is not going to improve things.

Stephen Reid looked a class above Whelan, Gibson or Andrews in that system, I'd imagine Nolan would also. I'm still a bit in shock that he's only 27 actually, it's pretty much changed my entire point of view. Still won't happen or anything.

[Closed Account 2]

And whatever they did (or didn't do) to Ronnie O'Brien he has pretty much vowed to never play for us again. And people can say what they want about him playing in the states, but he was commonly acknowleged as being the best MLS player for several seasons and he had a willingness and desire to play for us at underage level. Ignoring the question over Nolan's Irish eligability / desire to play for Ireland, O'Brien was a gifted player, a Bray lad, and not a loose cannon (for want of a better phrase) like Stephen Ireland, yet the FAI messed it up.

[ifk101]

Ok it sounds as if you know the workings of the FAI better than I do. I'm just reminded of the case of Barry Maguire (as mentioned above) where AFAIR the FAI were prompted by a FOOT.IE poster to call him up (a call up he declined, but thats beside the point) - not professional scouting at its best if you ask me.

Barry Maguire did have a trial in his early teens so those responsible in the FAI knew about his existence from a relatively early age - no doubt long before anyone here heard of him. Maybe those responsible within the FAI could have been a bit more active in following up on Maguire in recent years but Maguire needs to nail his colours to the mast (so to speak).

[geysir]

I'm happy enough with the policy as practiced by the FAI and management team re their attitude to the available options market, after FIFA changed their age 21 or younger rule.
There might be a few suitable candidates around who genuinely missed the boat through circumstances.
Kevin Nolan is not one of them.
As regards to the younger players, I think by now, both Maguire and Duffy know that all they have to do is write to FIFA and make their intentions known.

[bwagner]

Dream Irish midfield :O)
S Duffy ( holding mid)
Nolan Ireland Maguire

[twoenz]

You have to question the intelligence of a certain poster when he/she comes along, ignores the previous countless upon countless posts on Kevin Nolan and starts a new thread thinking he/she has something interesting to contribute with.

Surely Nolan himself knows his ship has sailed with regards to playing for England, so he's 27.

I've fancied Kelly Brook for years. Just because she turns me down am I going to become a monk?

[carloz]

I wouldnt touch Nolan with a stick. He was beyong brutal with Bolton in his last season there, and did nothing in Newcastles fight to stay up. Dont let one game blid you, he is a nothing player and i can name at least 7 irish midfielders i would have ahead of him

[rambler14]

Nolan won't play for Ireland and thats a well established fact as he still harbours ambitions of playing for England.

Now saying that i'd love to see him play for Ireland but.......he won't!

[third policeman]

I wouldnt touch Nolan with a stick. He was beyong brutal with Bolton in his last season there, and did nothing in Newcastles fight to stay up. Dont let one game blid you, he is a nothing player and i can name at least 7 irish midfielders i would have ahead of him

Actually my view of Nolan was determined initially by several outstanding performances at Anfleld against Liverpool and a couple of excellent goals. I have watched Whelan and Miller at close quarters and believe me they are genuine nothing players in comparison.

[Colbert Report]

I'm watching Nolan now, he's having a good game. Newcastle at Ipswich from Saturday.

[Junior]

Nolan won't play for Ireland and thats a well established fact as he still harbours ambitions of playing for England.

Now saying that i'd love to see him play for Ireland but.......he won't!

I simply dont understand that sentiment at all.

Why would you 'love' to see a player playing for your country who simplt wants to play for his own country not yours.

International football shouldnt be about wanting the best (I use the term loosely in this instance) players by hook or by crook.

[tetsujin1979]

And whatever they did (or didn't do) to Ronnie O'Brien he has pretty much vowed to never play for us again. And people can say what they want about him playing in the states, but he was commonly acknowleged as being the best MLS player for several seasons and he had a willingness and desire to play for us at underage level. Ignoring the question over Nolan's Irish eligability / desire to play for Ireland, O'Brien was a gifted player, a Bray lad, and not a loose cannon (for want of a better phrase) like Stephen Ireland, yet the FAI messed it up.

O'Brien was called into the squad the played in the States under Stan, and refused it. Played for his club two days later.