Squad to face Norn Iron, Scotland and Macedonia

**Fixer82** · 05/05/2011, 12:55 AM

Sorry. Here ya go: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIqkxU5AZPA

**theworm2345** · 05/05/2011, 3:11 AM

Originally Posted by Fixer82

Sorry. Here ya go: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIqkxU5AZPA

Ah yes, thanks for this...I actually have this full match on DVD if anyone would like to see it send me a PM (remember, I do have limited space in my PM inbox so don't all PM at once!)

**ifk101** · 05/05/2011, 8:32 AM

Originally Posted by theworm2345

(hell Connolly does if Folan does as he's scored as many goals as Folan recently and is playing at the same level, but we won't get in to that)

I'm sure the thinking with Folan is the option for "route one". Connolly can't play that role.

**tetsujin1979** · 05/05/2011, 9:11 AM

Connolly is at best fifth choice behind Robbie Keane, Shane Long, Noel Hunt and Anthony Stokes for the striker/finisher role of the front two, as pointed out above Folan is competing with Doyle, Walters, and Best for the target man

**geysir** · 05/05/2011, 12:33 PM

Walters would have to be in pole position.
There hasn't been much activity in Folan's thread, after some early promise with the Rapids.

How Trap will play these 2 games?
Nearly a full team against NI and nearly a second string against Scotland?

**Fixer82** · 05/05/2011, 2:04 PM

Are you serious (perhaps you're not)? As much of a fan I was/am of Connolly, his international career is as dead as a dodo. He's constantly injured and playing League One when he's not injured. I'd love to see him pull on a green jersey but to say he's 5th choice at best.....he's probably 12th choice at best in the midget striker role....
then again, we'll always have this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp-3YUTZ_0A

**theworm2345** · 05/05/2011, 2:18 PM

Originally Posted by Fixer82

Are you serious (perhaps you're not)? As much of a fan I was/am of Connolly, his international career is as dead as a dodo. He's constantly injured and playing League One when he's not injured. I'd love to see him pull on a green jersey but to say he's 5th choice at best.....he's probably 12th choice at best in the midget striker role....
then again, we'll always have this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wp-3YUTZ_0A

As I said we won't go into that (which everyone ignored), I was hoping not to, but you lot have brought it in so here we go. At the moment, even I could not argue for Connolly's inclusion as he is playing in League One and, though he's been in good form of late (nearly scored an absolute stunner on Monday with his left foot to boot, came off the bar). I'd argue in pure finishing ability he's behind only Keane and maybe Long or Stokes. He's claimed he's one of the fittest players at Soton as well, which means he's still got something left in the tank. Folan is playing at the same level and Connolly has scored as many goals since his return from injury as Folan when he started playing in MLS, hence the comparison there. As for his career being as dead as a dodo, with cloning the dodo just could be brought back. Fortunately, we don't have to clone Connolly but if he has a Long-like season in the Championship next year (or maybe even his old boss Pardew snaps him up at striker-short Newcastle), which we all know is entirely possible if he stays fit, you never know, he could be more phoenix than dodo, and I will remain hopeful/delusional.

**geysir** · 05/05/2011, 2:34 PM

Originally Posted by Fixer82

Are you serious (perhaps you're not)? As much of a fan I was/am of Connolly, his international career is as dead as a dodo. He's constantly injured and playing League One when he's not injured. I'd love to see him pull on a green jersey but to say he's 5th choice at best.....he's probably 12th choice at best

Have a heart, Fixer.
The lasting life long memory that a kid retains, is of the person who tells him that his best pal (his dog), has to be put down.

**Fixer82** · 05/05/2011, 2:35 PM

My Dog has to be put down??? ;(

**Fixer82** · 05/05/2011, 2:36 PM

Call him up trap ya bol**x!!!!

**Razors left peg** · 05/05/2011, 4:05 PM

Originally Posted by TrapAPony

Dan McDonnell says on his twitter that one new recruit will go into the squad once his paperwork has been completed. Who can it be.

Simon Cox according to todays Star

**Mr A** · 05/05/2011, 4:40 PM

Originally Posted by Razors left peg

Simon Cox according to todays Star

Had to google him.. a West Brom striker. http://www.wba.co.uk/page/ProfilesDe...~35281,00.html

Was signed for 1.9 million..

Cox blasted 11 goals in just 23 starts and 11 substitute appearances for Albion last term - including ten league strikes in his first full season at Coca-Championship level.

Season 2010 - 11

Competition Apps
(as sub) Goals Yellow
Cards Red
Cards
League 6 (11) 1 0 0
League Cup 4 (0) 3 0 0

Career History:
Club Season Comp. Apps
(as sub) Goals
WBA 2009 - 10 League 17 (11) 9
FA Cup 3 (0) 0
League Cup 3 (0) 1
Swindon Town 2008 - 09 League 45 (0) 29
FA Cup 1 (0) 0
League Cup 1 (0) 1
Swindon Town 2007 - 08 League 35 (1) 14
Reading 2007 - 08 FA Cup 0 (1) 0
League Cup 0 (1) 0
Northampton 2006 - 07 League 6 (2) 3
Brentford 2006 - 07 League 11 (2) 0
League Cup 1 (0) 0
Reading 2006 - 07 FA Cup 0 (1) 0
Reading 2005 - 06 League 0 (2) 0
FA Cup 0 (2) 0
League Cup 0 (2) 0

**DannyInvincible** · 05/05/2011, 4:44 PM

Cox scored his first Premier League goal against Spurs the other week after having come on as a sub: http://www.101greatgoals.com/videodi...enham-9122901/

Was a pretty good one too.

**SwanVsDalton** · 05/05/2011, 5:30 PM

According to Dan O'Donnell's twitter Westwood is out for the rest of the season and out of the squad - Randolph called up in his place. So kid gloves around Given and personally would like to see Forde get a cap, seems likely he will (maybe Randolph too).

**mark12345** · 05/05/2011, 9:18 PM

Originally Posted by theworm2345

Ward certainly deserves a shout if Folan does (hell Connolly does if Folan does as he's scored as many goals as Folan recently and is playing at the same level, but we won't get in to that) especially with his versatility. Hoolahan not being given a chance even in the Nations Cup is pretty preposterous when the likes of Keogh and McShane are in there, but hopefully he can keep his place at Norwich next season and force his way in. He's also nearly 29 I suppose but then Paul Green is 28 and has been a regular.

Agree with worm hundred per cent about Hoolahan. Despite Trap saying he's not what he's looking for, I think Wes is exactly what Ireland need (a player who can hold the ball, beat a man or two and always find a team mate with a pass - he can split a defence too). How he figures Ward is better than Hoolahan is beyond me? But I guess that's why he's the manager.

**Crosby87** · 05/05/2011, 10:37 PM

Can Folan leave his MLS team during the season?

**Charlie Darwin** · 05/05/2011, 10:44 PM

All players are required to leave their clubs during recognised international windows. I don't think the Celtic Cup games fall under that though, so it'd be up to the club whether they want to release him.

**Closed Account 2** · 05/05/2011, 11:01 PM

No idea why Harte and Hoolahan aren't in the squads, all the talk is Hoolahan being the best midfielder in the Championship this season, and possible player of the season for Norwich. I still think Harte has a lot to offer, and given he's always been delighted to play for us it seems like a shabby way to treat him

Originally Posted by Fixer82

Sorry. Here ya go: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIqkxU5AZPA

Bloody hell, Pius Ikedia playing for Ajax, talk about a blast from the past! Pretty sure it's Bertie van Marrwijk as the manager for Feyenoord in that clip (blue shirt white hair) - current Dutch national team boss. Also Dudek in nets for them, flapping at that Arvaladze shot?

**geysir** · 05/05/2011, 11:04 PM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

All players are required to leave their clubs during recognised international windows. I don't think the Celtic Cup games fall under that though, so it'd be up to the club whether they want to release him.

The Celtic Cup games are official friendlies. If the friendlies are fixed for the designated international dates then afaiaa clubs are mandated to release the player.
The question is, is a MLS club required to comply, if they don't want to release a player?
I assume if Folan is in the 23 man squad for Macedonia then he would have to be released.
The Rapids are playing 4 games right through this period.
I see the USA are playing a few friendlies at the start of June

**Supreme feet** · 06/05/2011, 4:48 AM

Re Hoolahan and Harte, I'm more disappointed about the fact that Cunningham and Meyler aren't fit enough to take part. Would have been an ideal opportunity to bed them into the squad. We can take it that there won't be too many changes to the squad or surprise inclusions between now and the end of the campaign. Still, I'm looking forward to seeing Coleman, Clark and McCarthy getting more game-time.