Shamrock Rovers

**Stuttgart88** · 26/08/2011, 12:01 PM

Can't wait to go to the Spurs game here.

Robbie should have stayed. He could have acted as a Tallaght spy.

**Murfinator** · 26/08/2011, 1:05 PM

Originally Posted by jbyrne

nothing post irrelevant to this thread, move to rubbish please

Its an International forum, OP didn't even specify any particular players its just a nothing trashy post looking for an empty excuse to talk about shamrocker rovers. Small minded bull****.

**geysir** · 26/08/2011, 1:26 PM

I was well pleased for the Hoops last night but I've moved on from that today.
They are in with some chance to equal Dundalk's efforts against Spurs in European competition. But that would be a hard task.

**jbyrne** · 26/08/2011, 1:31 PM

Originally Posted by Murfinator

Its an International forum, OP didn't even specify any particular players its just a nothing trashy post looking for an empty excuse to talk about shamrocker rovers. Small minded bull****.

far more relevant to Irish football than this...
http://foot.ie/threads/140172-Mikel-Arteta?highlight=

i think the dismissing of the thread is small minded tbh

**ifk101** · 26/08/2011, 1:32 PM

Originally Posted by OwlsFan

As a Shamrock Rovers supporter since the 1960s I am thrilled that they have made it through to the group stages of the Europa League. However, I have heard all these arguments before and I recall a few LoI players representing Ireland but it doesn't work out long term. If they are good enough, they go abroad and that's a fact. By way of example, Stephen O'Donnell was signed by Arsenal, didn't get a game, moved to Falkirk and then came home. A useful player but not international class. Is there a clamour in Scotland for Gary Twigg to play for them? I doubt it. !

Most are realistic of the step up from LOI to senior international, not least LOI fans. However every player should be judged on his individual merits, not his club address. Eventually the best players in the LOI move abroad. It is likely that some members in the current Rovers squad will move abroad. International recognition doesn't necessarily need to follow the move abroad.

Btw unlikely many consider O'Donnell senior international standard, especially when he isn't an automatic starter for his club.

**passinginterest** · 26/08/2011, 1:41 PM

Enda Stevens is the obvious one to make the step up. He's been outstanding in most of the European games, even if he was mostly at fault for the goal last night. He's already a regular in the under 21 side and will now have the chance to further prove his talent in the group stages. He may just lack a little pace to be a top-class international but he might just make it. It'll more than likely take a move to England for that to happen and to be honest I can see why, it is a much higher level of opponent week in and week out, but it would be great to see someone like him get a call up prior to making the move.

**paul_oshea** · 26/08/2011, 1:44 PM

Having watched their games on streams in Europe this season, continually the most impressive would be Conor Mccormack, he is a very good outlet for the defense and full backs, and also a very good man marker. Very good on the ball also with making space for himself. Reminds me of the few games i saw of keith fahey in the League of Ireland.

Turner is good and so is Stevens, but McCormack for me is the stand out. Kilduff has been a very good impact sub too.

Thompson would be top class if he wasn't so erratic.

**paul_oshea** · 26/08/2011, 1:48 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Can't wait to go to the Spurs game here.

Robbie should have stayed. He could have acted as a Tallaght spy.

Organising with a good few already, who normally wouldn't have any interest in irish soccer, international a fair amount i suppose, so should see ye there. We can get celtic jerseys and iron off the sponsor

**paul_oshea** · 26/08/2011, 1:49 PM

Originally Posted by Murfinator

Its an International forum, OP didn't even specify any particular players its just a nothing trashy post looking for an empty excuse to talk about shamrocker rovers. Small minded bull****.

It would be ok if it were munster, or tipp hurling though.

**passinginterest** · 26/08/2011, 1:49 PM

McCormack has been excellent but I think he might be just a bit too small to make it. He's a fantastic tackler and decent on the ball in fairness he could do well in one of the European leagues, but I'd worry that he's not quite technically good enough for the like of Spain or Portugal and not quite physically big or strong enough for the likes of Germany or England. He still has time to develop though and defeinitely worth keeping an eye on in the group stages.

**paul_oshea** · 26/08/2011, 2:34 PM

Wes holohan is hardly a giant either nor was andy reid - mccormacks passing wouldn't be as good as reids im not comparing like for like in that sense- but i think size can be overcome, the rest you might well be right about.

I think stevens has a few too many shortcomings defensively, yet, to be a permiership player, which is realistically what you ahve to think about as european leagues dont seem to have any interest in our players.

**ifk101** · 26/08/2011, 3:00 PM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

Having watched their games on streams in Europe this season, continually the most impressive would be Conor Mccormack, he is a very good outlet for the defense and full backs, and also a very good man marker. Very good on the ball also with making space for himself. Reminds me of the few games i saw of keith fahey in the League of Ireland.

Don't see that myself. What I've seen of McCormack his strengths would be breaking up opposition play while Fahey's strengths would be creative - ie playmaker.

**CraftyToePoke** · 26/08/2011, 3:07 PM

I think some of these players will go on to provide international options for us, as so many LOI players have done of late, some of this Shamrock Rovers side should have that in them, but there is also the number of players who shone in LOI but have found their levels further down the leagues cross channel, O'Flynn, O'Donovan and Mooney spring to mind, I think a good way of taking an early look, and recognising the talent presently in LOI would be a 'B' international against decent opposition, with our fringe UK based lads and the better LOI players involved in that squad. It would also help them if they were looking to move, profile wise maybe.

This wouldnt seal the deal as regards a player being good enough long term or not, but would be a useful exercise.

**Charlie Darwin** · 26/08/2011, 3:11 PM

I can only find one link on it but Sunderland are supposedly interested in Enda Stevens. Makes sense as he's been with the 21s for some time now. Hands off our boys, Niall Quinn!

http://www.tribalfootball.com/articl...tevens-1836601

McCormack is young enough for the 21s too. I don't know why he hasn't been picked.

**gastric** · 26/08/2011, 10:55 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Can't wait to go to the Spurs game here.

Robbie should have stayed. He could have acted as a Tallaght spy.

He now can for Rovers in their pursuit of victory over Spurs!!

**tricky_colour** · 27/08/2011, 12:01 AM

It will be interesting to see how Shamrock get on, especially against Spurs, they might get hammered
but then again anything can happen, especially as Spurs are without their top striker.

Hopefully it will be something like this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=floGPzbUMxY

Arsenal beat Partizan 6-1 on aggregate recently in the Champions League.

**Charlie Darwin** · 27/08/2011, 12:29 AM

Originally Posted by tricky_colour

It will be interesting to see how Shamrock get on, especially against Spurs, they might get hammered
but then again anything can happen, especially as Spurs are without their top striker.

Hopefully it will be something like this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=floGPzbUMxY

Arsenal beat Partizan 6-1 on aggregate recently in the Champions League.

Robbie Keane?

**Noelys Guitar** · 27/08/2011, 1:00 AM

I can see Rovers getting to the knockout stage. Especially if they have Oman back. Do not under estimate this team or their management. Hard to pick out the outstanding player there have been so many. McCormick reminds me of David McCreery the old NI midfielder. Does exactly the same job. And yet Rovers can bring in someone else and they will do a slightly different but just as effective hjob for the team. Great management. How good a manager is MON (and the introduction of Jim Magilton as assistant)? Clough and Taylor like. Surely the next NI manager team duo (while remaining in charge of the hoops. How ironic would that be). And there is no way this Rovers team will get hammered by anyone (ala Hearts). This is a match fit, band of brothers professional team. Magic week for football fans.

**Colbert Report** · 27/08/2011, 2:23 PM

Originally Posted by Noelys Guitar

I can see Rovers getting to the knockout stage. Especially if they have Oman back. Do not under estimate this team or their management. Hard to pick out the outstanding player there have been so many. McCormick reminds me of David McCreery the old NI midfielder. Does exactly the same job. And yet Rovers can bring in someone else and they will do a slightly different but just as effective hjob for the team. Great management. How good a manager is MON (and the introduction of Jim Magilton as assistant)? Clough and Taylor like. Surely the next NI manager team duo (while remaining in charge of the hoops. How ironic would that be). And there is no way this Rovers team will get hammered by anyone (ala Hearts). This is a match fit, band of brothers professional team. Magic week for football fans.

Have you seen the bookie's odds on them to progress past the group stage? It simply won't happen. They're very likely to lose all six matches.

**elroy** · 29/08/2011, 9:00 AM

Originally Posted by passinginterest

McCormack has been excellent but I think he might be just a bit too small to make it. He's a fantastic tackler and decent on the ball in fairness he could do well in one of the European leagues, but I'd worry that he's not quite technically good enough for the like of Spain or Portugal and not quite physically big or strong enough for the likes of Germany or England. He still has time to develop though and defeinitely worth keeping an eye on in the group stages.

Its often quoted here that we have some players who the English/Scottish/Irish game doesnt suit them but if they were to ply their trade on continent, they would reap much greater success. Im not sure I entirely accept that analysis well certainly not on a general level anyway. But with an Irish team now at the level of European competition where others take notice, perhaps a few of the scouting network of the European clubs will take in a few of the SR's games. If they like what they see, then maybe there will be an opportunity to forge links with such. Ive never been a fan of the narrow focus that if they are good enough they can go to the UK. The wider the options the better.

As for SR's qualifying for the knockout stage, id love to see but I really dont there is a chance of that. Spurs and Rubin K are going to be immensely difficult. They are teams with very recent (and very impressive) CL experience. I dont think they will lose all games, I think they will pick up a few points. The real hope is that they are competitive. I think as Irish football fans, they owe us nothing but to be competitive in their six games (particularly against Spurs, which the barstoolers will judge Rovers off) would be fantastic.