Mark Noble

**IsMiseSean** · 26/10/2010, 10:12 PM

Good addition if it's true...

**cornflakes** · 26/10/2010, 10:49 PM

Came across this arsenal thread discussing noble playing for Ireland.
http://onlinegooner.com/phpbb2/viewt...er=asc&start=0
Rebel gooner is a complete tool

**ArdeeBhoy** · 26/10/2010, 11:05 PM

So the grandparents, fair enough. FIFA might actually have done us a favour on this for once??

If they're eligible I'd take anyone, even 'Agent' Rooney. And yes, I know he isn't!

**Sullivinho** · 26/10/2010, 11:16 PM

Originally Posted by cornflakes

Rebel gooner is a complete tool

How long before YouTube notice he's gone and mount a search..

**Supreme feet** · 27/10/2010, 3:54 AM

I love the way they (and some WUMs around here) claim Ireland are 'relying on' English players. Our current full-strength team has three (St. Ledger, Kilbane, Lawrence), all of whom could be replaced with Irish-born players (Kelly/Coleman, Ward, Hunt) without weakening the side. Our first-choice team in 2002 had Kilbane, Holland and Breen. Not exactly indispensable. To quote Jack Charlton, the English-born players can 'make up the balance of what we lack', and give us a few extra options. Our best players, and the lion's share of our squads have been Irish-born/raised since the Charlton years.

BTW, I'm not convinced about Noble declaring. Nor would I be too comfortable about it, especially given the players emerging in central midfield. I'm very excited about McCarthy, Clifford, Meyler and Maguire, and I'd prefer to see them given a shot. Just think his lineage is a bit too tenuous, and he's a bit old to be declaring now.

**IsMiseSean** · 27/10/2010, 1:54 PM

Originally Posted by Supreme feet

he's a bit old to be declaring now.

I dont think he is, 23 is probably on the limit I reckon. Anyone under 24 with good connections should be considered
I dont want to see us calling up players at 27/28/29 ie Paul Green, Caleb Folan etc. It makes me wonder why these players didn't express a desire to play for us when they were 21/22.

**TrapAPony** · 27/10/2010, 2:18 PM

Originally Posted by Supreme feet

Just think his lineage is a bit too tenuous, and he's a bit old to be declaring now.

Originally Posted by JGKyne

I dont want to see us calling up players at 27/28/29 ie Paul Green, Caleb Folan etc. It makes me wonder why these players didn't express a desire to play for us when they were 21/22.

John Aldridge declared for us at 28 with only a great grandmother from Athlone as his Irish connection. Nobody had any problems with him.

**ArdeeBhoy** · 27/10/2010, 2:42 PM

I did. He was mainly sh*t for Ireland, regardless of his exact heritage!

**SkStu** · 27/10/2010, 3:57 PM

Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy

I did. He was mainly sh*t for Ireland, regardless of his exact heritage!

rubbish. He ran himself into the ground (out to the corners chasing long balls) for JC in a system that ignored all his best traits as a poacher. PLUS, his record speaks for itself.

**boovidge** · 27/10/2010, 4:03 PM

Anyone read this book? I just stumbled across it - really interesting. From page 92 onwards.

**Junior** · 27/10/2010, 4:23 PM

Cheers - will have a read of that when I get half an hour.

**Closed Account 2** · 27/10/2010, 4:47 PM

Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy

I did. He was mainly sh*t for Ireland, regardless of his exact heritage!

Anyone remember a June afternoon in Orlando?

**Eirambler** · 27/10/2010, 4:52 PM

The thing i see again and again looking at these EPL fans forums is how negative everyone over there is about the England team at the moment. They're sick of the same names and the underachievement at finals. I think this is having an impact on the dual-national players.

I think with Noble and maybe also Clark its not a case of giving up on ever getting an England call but not really being too pushed about it either way. England doesn't seem to be too relevant to the average footballer over there now. So they see Ireland as a closer knit team with less media hassle who are more enjoyable to play for and that appeals to them. Suddenly we're being linked to English born players with genuine potential rather than ones that would never get a game for their country of birth.

For that reason I don't think we need to feel this kind of guilty conscience that we're getting an England reject that's expressed on here every time somebody 'declares' for us. I think most of these lads look at the English setup and genuinely feel that they'd be more at home with Ireland.

**Docboy** · 27/10/2010, 4:55 PM

Can only assume you weren't at the games to see the energy and passion Aldo put in for the Green shirt over the years. Massively respected and got some important goals despite the jinx he went through in the beginning of his international career.

**ken foree** · 27/10/2010, 4:56 PM

cynically i'm thinking of the rumours being used to alert the english management to his desperation/frustration at not being picked. no disrespect to drummerboy, and would welcome him as he seems quite a skillful player.

**Charlie Darwin** · 27/10/2010, 6:02 PM

If he really wanted to alert the English management to his desperation I can think of more effective ways than asking his mate to send drummerboy a text.

**mark12345** · 27/10/2010, 6:20 PM

Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy

I did. He was mainly sh*t for Ireland, regardless of his exact heritage!

That's the 'best' quote I've ever seen on any messageboard pertaining to Irish football, ArdeeBhoy. Aldridge was among the best goalscorers we ever had, I'd put him up there just behind Robbie. And who knows if he had have been playing since he was 18, like Robbie, he would have netted more than his 19 total. Aldridge was one of Europe's top poachers. Go, ArdeeBhoy, and ask God for forgiveness.

**ken foree** · 27/10/2010, 6:36 PM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

If he really wanted to alert the English management to his desperation I can think of more effective ways than asking his mate to send drummerboy a text.

nahh it's actually the ideal way charlie... everything's viral these days.