If I was I'd probably agree with you - seriously diminishing 10% returns.
What are you, his agent??
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If I was I'd probably agree with you - seriously diminishing 10% returns.
Ou-est le Centre George Pompidou?
no he's not, see the post above from Supreme Feet
Ciaran Clark is playing far more regularly than Ferguson, and I still wouldn't play him ahead of Kilbane, given his performance against Uruguay which came 3 days after Kilbane was far better against Macedonia
Everything you say about Kevin is true, French Toast. And for that matter I would like to see him up there on day as an assistant manager in the Irish team or something of that nature. He clearly is devoted to the cause more than many others who wore the green. I wish him all the best for the future as I'm sure most Irish fans do. But he is just not up to it anymore and it's laziness on the part of the manager that he keeps picking him. I also agree with the poster who said that there is plenty of blame to go around the back four for the goals we concede. But let's start fixing the problems rather than just turning a blind eye every time.
Yes but he's needed more in the centre. Be it defence or midfield.
One game v.Uruguay proves nothing, though given he regularly plays in the EPL clearly proves he's better than KK who doesn't even play left-back any more, two divisions lower....
Personally I'd go with Ian Harte for the remainder of this campaign, with Ferguson (or one of the other youngsters mentioned) as a longer-term replacement.
Though more important, is Trap's intransigence, hinted by mark above. One guarantee is we won't qualify for any Finals with people of the quality of KK playing international football for Ireland. And yes, we all know the rest of the squad are fallible....
To me there's only one person really putting his hand up to take Killer's place and that's Harte. And surely given his age, time away and previous limitations, we can all understand why he's not a slam dunk (though I would certainly be happy to see him called up).
Thing is way though way people talk about KK, and Trap, it's like we have a half a dozen top class left backs queuing up to play. We don't. Delaney was the solution, then Cunningham, then Clark - now it's Ferguson or whoever. For me it's about the next big game against Macedonia and Kilbane's rightly in line to stay in the team. That could change soon and definitely should change in the medium term, but until then it's worth recognising that KK has not be playing nearly as bad as has been suggested.
Ou-est le Centre George Pompidou?
I will concede that Zinedine's best performances for us were on the left wing, in fact he was that good, that Brian Kerr used to choose him in that position over Chelsea's Damian Duff at the time, deciding to put Duffer up front with Robbie, in order to accomodate KK in the team. And I do believe that this qualification campaign will be his last as an automatic starter.
But like several posters have stated, we are at a pivotal stage in this qualification campaign and for the next competitive match against Macedonia (the graveyard of Irish football) it's simply not the time for experimentation. I would feel far more at ease having KK in there as opposed to an untested rookie. By all means try out future alternatives to the left back position in the NI and Scotland games and the numerous friendlies we will have at the end of the campaign (hopefully in preparation for the Euros) but not in matches of the importance of Macedonia/Slovakia/Russia.
I have always found KK has been scapegoated for all our failings throughout the years and it genuinely has baffled me that the player that seems to get singled out for criticism more than any other is the player who has given more to the green jersey than any other.
I'd play O'Shea in the middle before Clark, remember Dunne + O'Shea was Trapattoni's starting centre half partnership until St Ledger came into the picture
If he can't cut it in a friendly, he doesn't deserve to be given a chance in a competitive game. I think Clark will start at least one of the Carling Cup games, but if he doesn't improve on the showing against Uruguay then he won't play against Macedonia.
Clark isn't playing regularly, he hasn't started a game for Villa in nearly two months, his only appearance since then was when came off the bench in the game against West Brom last Saturday
Harte's playing at centre half for Reading. Personally I think Cunningham is the long term replacement at left full.
I dealt with Trappatoni's so called intransigence/stubbornness more than 18 months ago: http://foot.ie/threads/124532-Trapat...xperimentation
We have already qualified for a finals with Kilbane in the side![]()
My Guarantee
Am looking for old Irish matches on VHS, PM me if you have some and I'll upload them here
Kilbane, despite his critics, remains our number one option in this area. The other options remain under the heading of emerging and hopefully are used soon on tour - O' Halloran, Clark, Cunningham and the one I am highlighting as another option - Chris McCann. Another alternative needs to emerge soon as Kilbane is getting older and is playing League One.
Except as we all know, O'Shea is even more versatile than Clark, as in he can play anywhere in the back four....
Maybe he could be the compromise?
He may well have done, but it's mainly been at left-full.Harte's playing at centre half for Reading. Personally I think Cunningham is the long term replacement at left full.
It's hardly news then. But it's irritating it still prevails.I dealt with Trappatoni's so called intransigence/stubbornness more than 18 months ago: http://foot.ie/threads/124532-Trapat...xperimentation
Though take the point Trap is unlikely to make any drastic changes. But it's almost enough to 'hope' one or two people get crocked in the play-offs to force his hand.
Like about a decade ago. And Harte was even more clearly the better option then at left-back!!!We have already qualified for a finals with Kilbane in the side
And am referring, er, to the near future, which I suspect you knew anyway.
Worm, presumably you don't recall, what happened next....
Try as I may to block it out, I do recall. But to blame Kilbane for that would just be daft. He was ever-present (for better of for worse) throughout that campaign which saw us reach the doorstep of South Africa. It wasn't his poor finishing or his handball (or his man) who slammed that door shut. I don't see how any other left back playing throughout that campaign, Irish or otherwise, would have seen us through either.
Regarding your decade ago comment, you did say any Finals
Last edited by theworm2345; 03/05/2011 at 2:51 AM.
My Guarantee
Am looking for old Irish matches on VHS, PM me if you have some and I'll upload them here
Beacuse he's left footed? I don't see him as anything other than a central midfielder myself, but would be delighted to be wrong.
Delaney should be considered as a stop gap IMHO. Clark looked very vulnerable against Uruguay. Delaney steadied things.
Tets, are you sure Harte is playing CB at Reading? I think he is worth a look in May.
Harte's been playing left back for Reading any time I've seen him. I think he started in the centre and was shifted out wide due to an injury.
Friend of mine tried t convince me once that Stephen Quinn should be given a chance at left full, simply because he's left footed!
sorry, no, I'm wrong. According to football-lineups.com - http://www.football-lineups.com/footballer/5915/ - it was Carlisle at the start of the season where he was playing at centre half and has only played for Reading at left full
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/...296001006.htmlOriginally Posted by irishtimes
Another one so. Would like to see Kenny back in the squad though.
Republic of Ireland chief scout Don Givens has also confirmed former United captain and Irish legend Mick Martin had held talks with Ferguson.
Ferguson told the Chronicle: “I cannot really say much about it.
“I am just focusing on my club football at the minute, and whatever happens with internationals is a bonus.
“If I keep doing well for Newcastle, the rest will take care of itself.”
From http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/newca...#ixzz1LNlxfFGG
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