Jermaine Pennant wants Irish call up

**back of the net** · 09/03/2011, 1:46 AM

Lads....i just listened to Pennants radio interview with the BBC where he talks about taking his Ireland chance
(see link attached for radio interview - scroll down on the link and you will find the actual radio interview)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/foot...ty/9417873.stm

Its his attitude that p*sses me off.
"I text my agent".....like WTF Jermaine this isnt some pub team.

**gastric** · 09/03/2011, 4:21 AM

Originally Posted by abbeyvale

I agree with a previous post, and say cap him and have him as an option (you'd never know when or if you might need him due to injuries, suspensions etc, he's a better option than some of the trype that GT currenly picks.

The way some of you are speaking, you'd swear we were blessed with talent..............lets not forget this guy has Premier League & Champions League experience (not like the average Championship players that are currently in the squads) and has played for Arsenal, Liverpool, R.Zaragoza, Stoke, Leeds, Birmingham & Portsmouth, so all the scouts/management teams from each of these clubs must have seen something in him to sign him.

He's a decent crosser of a ball and I'm sure Kevin Doyle would relish him in the team instead of the "head down and inconsistant McGeady".

And please dont give me that crap about his English roots, since when did that matter????

Abbeyvale, I suggest you read my post again. No mention of English roots, I am a pragmatist to be honest, and all I am saying is a central midfielder and central defender would be long term priorities, however, a more short term priority is a fit goalkeeper! That's all I have said!

**bennocelt** · 09/03/2011, 6:55 AM

Originally Posted by abbeyvale

He's a decent crosser of a ball and I'm sure Kevin Doyle would relish him in the team instead of the "head down and inconsistant McGeady".

Really, when?

**tetsujin1979** · 09/03/2011, 7:59 AM

From today's Independent:
Trapattoni can't ignore Pennant's record: http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...d-2571304.html
Pennant factfile: http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...e-2571303.html

**amaccann** · 09/03/2011, 8:06 AM

And people get huffy when it's suggested we're the England B-Team.

**pineapple stu** · 09/03/2011, 8:39 AM

It was never suggested we were an England B team. It was suggested we were similar to England ("Angleterre bis"), which is true.

**AlaskaFox** · 09/03/2011, 9:01 AM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

From today's Independent:
Trapattoni can't ignore Pennant's record: http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...d-2571304.html
Pennant factfile: http://www.independent.ie/sport/socc...e-2571303.html

2005 -- January: Joins Birmingham on loan. Despite driving ban, Pennant crashes his Mercedes into a lamp post while twice the legal alcohol limit. Identifies himself as Ashley Cole during questioning

Can I change my opinion? Call him up.

That said, this guy seems to be more confrontational in the dressing room than Don Givens. Why would we want him?

**Macy** · 09/03/2011, 9:02 AM

Not sure I get the issue - "we" either accept players of dubious irishness or we don't? Is it just Pennants not that likeable?

**geysir** · 09/03/2011, 9:26 AM

Whereas Pennant has a right to declare for the FAI, Irish fans retain the right to have an opinion on his merits, not just as a player but also on his attitude to the opportunity.

**Murfinator** · 09/03/2011, 10:25 AM

Originally Posted by Macy

Not sure I get the issue - "we" either accept players of dubious irishness or we don't? Is it just Pennants not that likeable?

I have no problem accepting him, I just don't think he's good enough.

**pineapple stu** · 09/03/2011, 10:34 AM

I don't we're in any position to dismiss a fairly regular Premiership player as "not good enough".

More worrying would be the likes of this from his wiki -

Originally Posted by wiki

...failed to fulfil his promise amidst a string of disciplinary problems [at Arsenal]

Originally Posted by wiki

Arsenal manager Ars�ne Wenger appeared to have eventually lost patience with Pennant, who had a history of turning up late to training

Originally Posted by wiki

he was reprimanded by [Zaragoza] coach Jos� Aurelio Gay after turning up late for training three times in the space of two weeks; he was sent home on the third occasion and disciplined.

Originally Posted by wiki

Whilst on the England under-21 team, he was sent home by coach Howard Wilkinson for breaking a curfew before an important game against Turkey

Just seems like trouble overall, and that's before you look at his non-footballing antics.

**Schumi** · 09/03/2011, 11:41 AM

Originally Posted by abbeyvale

lets not forget this guy... has played for Arsenal, Liverpool, R.Zaragoza, Stoke, Leeds, Birmingham & Portsmouth, so all the scouts/management teams from each of these clubs must have seen something in him to sign him.

And get rid of him.

**Deckydee** · 09/03/2011, 11:50 AM

This is what I can find:

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/f...i-2236046.html

http://www.irishtimes.com/sports/soc...291634205.html

http://www.sport.co.uk/news/Football...toni_call.aspx

**Wolfie** · 09/03/2011, 12:29 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

I don't we're in any position to dismiss a fairly regular Premiership player as "not good enough".

More worrying would be the likes of this from his wiki -

Just seems like trouble overall, and that's before you look at his non-footballing antics.

Does anyone know if he plays guitar?? We have a vacancy.

**Junior** · 09/03/2011, 1:04 PM

I dont like the regular posts along the lines of 'if he's a premier league regular he cant be dismissed' or 'its not an area we are weak in therefore we can ignore etc....'

His ability or lack thereof is of no interest to me - It's his attitude and approach to representing the ('his') country. O'Hara would add something to our team I am sure but that means nothing to me, I dont want an Englishman on secondment to my countrys team to enhance his CV.

Stutts' gut test is the best way to solving this and he's a FAIL. (Probably F Minus)

**Murfinator** · 09/03/2011, 1:07 PM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

I don't we're in any position to dismiss a fairly regular Premiership player as "not good enough".

- Rory Delap
- Stephen Carr
- Steven Reid
- Andy Reid
- Stephen Ward

We clearly are!

**geysir** · 09/03/2011, 1:55 PM

Originally Posted by Junior

Stutts' gut test is the best way to solving this

Stutts' gut feeling test is our oracle.

**SwanVsDalton** · 09/03/2011, 2:12 PM

Originally Posted by geysir

Stutts' gut feeling test is our oracle.

Yup Stutts' is the best gut feeler we have. That's why Andy Reid isn't in the squad, his gut was just too big.

**paul_oshea** · 09/03/2011, 3:44 PM

Originally Posted by AlaskaFox

Can I change my opinion? Call him up.

That said, this guy seems to be more confrontational in the dressing room than Don Givens. Why would we want him?

Did no one get my reference to that at all earlier?!

Losing all faith...