QuoteI agree that the future does seem bright but we need a top class centre-back and a clinical finisher up front. All in all though, the future's bright, the future's green!
I know only time will tell...but I think Ireland medium to long term future looks very very good. There seems to be a lot of young players coming through - much more than at any stage under Charlton or McCarthy.
We could do with a new goalkeeper (maybe Stack might be the guy) and a central defender or 2 comnig through.
But we have players like
Stephen Kelly
Mark Yeates
Andy Reid
Liam Miller
Tom Butler
Aiden McGeady
Stephen Elliott
your thoughts?
I agree that the future does seem bright but we need a top class centre-back and a clinical finisher up front. All in all though, the future's bright, the future's green!
It's vital that we qualify for the World Cup in 2006 as it could be our best one yet, at least our best chance of getting further than the Q\Finals. Everyone coming through now will be 2 years older and the wiser. We could have a lethal squad, with no lack of creativity, all going well.
I really think that if Roy Keane is still around - he should play in centre defence
This would be a wicked team
Given
Carr
Cunningham
Keane
O Shea
Yeates
Miller
A Reid
Duff
Keane
Elliott
Theres always young player coming through but big difference between making 1st team bench or run out in last meaningless game of the season & starting international games.
The guys quoted in the original post will have to go along way to prove the can cut it at the highest level, by which I mean Premier League. Then they'll have to go onto the National team and do it again.
There's a long distance between having potential and realising your potential (McPhail, Kennedy, O'Neill, Harte, George, etc). That said can't remember last time we had this many up and coming players to add to an already decent side. Kelly has been known to play Centre Half and could be a future option along with McShane at United provided they develop accordingly. Reid, Miller and McGeady all have huge talent and Elliott looks like a fantastic prospect. I'm very much in the wait and see how they progress camp, as opposed to the many throw the baby out with the bath water merchants about, but hard not to get excited about Irish football's future. I honestly believe we have a great team in the making.
No way mate...had a run at centre half for Man U a few years back and it didn't work.Originally Posted by concanta
<insert witty remark>
Did it this season for a few games when they were stuck and looked class. Only time United defence looked sound all season.
Reckon Man City's Elliot and McCarthy could be the two we need. Both on the fringes of the first team, and both often mentioned by Keegan as for the future. McCarthy's yet to make his first team debut, but Elliot's played twice and has been unlucky not to score, experience will take care of that.
I know its hard to say how they will develop but what i am saying is that the signs are good - i think kelly has cemented his palce in the spurs team next year. If even half of the players come through and are as good as we think they might be then we have a good future to look forward to
I think its vital we qualify for the world cup - an absolute must
Elliott is top Scorer in the reserves, just hard to see him force his way past the overated partnership of Anelka and Fowler. McCarthy needs a shot. Cannot be any worse than the cavalier Distin. Is Van Buyten staying next year?
Not to be overly pesimisstic but I do worry about Miller at Utd. They seemed to have moved away from the days where they were capable of bringing on talent from a relatively young age and that maybe he will spend more time on the bench (doing what to his confidence?) Hopefully being at a club like Man Utd. will be enough of a learning curve for him.
With McGeady, there is always great pressure for youth team forwards at Parkhead. How many new Dalglish's have there been at Celtic? Each one faded away badly since McClair has faded away badly, so I'd still be wary.
From what i have seen at Highbury this year Stack has improved after not exactly setting the world on fire against Rotterham in the League Cup. I was v. unsure about his ability to deal effectively with crosses, however he improved a great deal as his run in the tornament went on. Still has keepers last a long time hopefully Given can be our mainstay.
I would say that if Miller and McGeady can cope with the respective pressures that they will undoubtedly face they will improve Ireland immeasurably
Where am I now? I'm over here,
I've got those empty pockets and I can't afford a beer.
Darren fletcher and John Oshea and Wes Brownhave all come from uniteds youth ranks recently
I'm not going to pretend that he's the force he once was Dav, but I think he can help bring the best out of players like Miller (who I think will benefit from Roy being at United), Reid, Elliot, Douglas in the Irish set-up. when it comes down to it, he's probably a player they've looked up to while coming through the ranks (though I'm willing to accept Saipan may have changed that, I think the fact those players never played under McCarthy will mean that they'll have little objection to his return).
Once we have clear evidence that Miller, Duff, Reid and (at the mo') Holland or Kilbane can run a midfield at Euro level, Keane will be at an age and Level where he'll probably have nothing to offer.
O' Shea hardly fills me with confidence, Brown has played almost 150 times for Man Utd, a period of time which involved at least one serious injury, so he is hardly new to the scene. Fletcher does admitedly look like a good prospect.
Where am I now? I'm over here,
I've got those empty pockets and I can't afford a beer.
I know that O'Shea has looked suspect in some internationals - Switzerland especially - but I reckon he is going to be a real class player in two or three seasons' time. One thing Alex Ferguson has shown time and time again is that he is an excellent judge of a player's potential....hopefully he's right about Miller too!!
www.irelandshirts.com
Ferguson, judge of players my ars*, I'll have you know that Barca's most successful season in recent years was when I guided them to the La Liga and the European Cup on Championship Manager. And I didn't sign Forlan.
Don't get me while I can't stand Man Utd. for Ireland's sake I hope that Ferguson is right.
Where am I now? I'm over here,
I've got those empty pockets and I can't afford a beer.
what a classic using championship manager to back up your argument.
FFS, I was messing
Last edited by Pat O' Banton; 19/05/2004 at 2:02 PM.
Where am I now? I'm over here,
I've got those empty pockets and I can't afford a beer.
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