Mark Bunn

[gastric]

I cannot comprehend on what basis you feel that Mark Bunn offers Ireland a realistic chance of a Premier League goalkeeper, some who "plays at the top regularly". He has played 6 Premiership games in his career and the man is 27 years of age. He has been signed as back-up to John Ruddy and untill further evidence presents itself, he is not the messiah of Irish goalkeeping.

I didn't insist you "discounted" any goalkeeper. I felt you clearly expressed a belief that Bunn should bypass all the other goalkeepers who have represented Ireland (at under-age level and above) to the top of the queue, and with no evidence to demonstrate thereby.

I can't see any reason why I am being negative. Furthermore, I can't see any reason why you have fabricated that Bunn managed to "commit to us." The man is 27 years of age and has been playing professional football for quite a while, and his eligibility has been apparent for a while also. So, if his eligibility has been clearly established (and I'm sure it has been clearly established to Mark Bunn himself), then why hasn't Mark Bunn initialized the communication? I am not prejudging Bunn. I am stressing the fact that I am sceptical as to his commitment and why he would commit now and why it should take a phonecall towards him to initialize communication.

In relation to my comments regarding Stephen Henderson, Stephen Henderson has been a committed Irish international for all his career and is younger and has demonstrated his capabilities at Championship level and under-21 level for Ireland. He is second choice keeper to one of the most consistent goalkeepers of the past decade at the moment. I'd rather he filled the void and I have no problem admitting it. He's younger and is currently committed to representing the FAI, those are the facts. That I'm being negative is not a fact, it's your opinion which you are most certainly entitled to.

And it's on all of the above dubious grounds that you brand me a "little Irelander"? That's a pretty brash statement and utterly groundless. I am most receptive towards any player that has shown pride and determination and commitment when representing Ireland, no matter where they have been born. I would regard players like Kevin Kilbane and Gary Breen with as high esteem as anyone, not to mention the current crop such as James McCarthy, Aiden McGeady, Kieren Westwood and others. Simon Cox is proving himself as a worthy contributor and Clinton Morrison did likewise.

My argument towards you was due to my reservations as to his ability and commitment in equal measures. He is untested at Premier League level (even though you insisted he could usurp Westwood) and has never claimed for Ireland in all his years as a professional footballer and the articles that are currently referring to him in this context outline that communication was made by Trapattoni to Bunn. Should evidence that he is a quality goalkeeper (better than the currently solid Kieren Westwood) and has clear commitment and desire to play for Ireland present itself, I will gladly accept him as an Irish international footballer. Until then, I feel it is unfair that you skip him up the queue for international honours, which it my opinion you hastily did in your original post.

And what is your definition of commitment? Is there an age limit too as you seem to infer? How do you define nationality? How do we know yet that Bunn did not make approaches to the FAI in the past? These seem to be the questions that we disagree on. For me, commitment is shown on the pitch and starts at any age. In terms of nationality, you cannot quantify it. It doesn't start at a particular age, but is a journey and changes with age, so please don't use that as an argument against Bunn. On merit alone, I feel he can be a competitor to Westwood and gives us another genuine option. Trap must share my views too as why else would the FAI approach him? Lastly, I will be intrigued to know how all this came about which I am sure will be revealed soon. I would not surprised if Bunn did approach the FAI in the past.

[gastric]

FAO Olé Olé:
http://www.medindia.net/patients/Firstaid-gastric.htm

Very humorous! Ther sort of humour I would expect from a Finn Harps supporter called Nigel. Life must be tough!

[Olé Olé]

And what is your definition of commitment? Is there an age limit too as you seem to infer? How do you define nationality? How do we know yet that Bunn did not make approaches to the FAI in the past? These seem to be the questions that we disagree on. For me, commitment is shown on the pitch and starts at any age. In terms of nationality, you cannot quantify it. It doesn't start at a particular age, but is a journey and changes with age, so please don't use that as an argument against Bunn. On merit alone, I feel he can be a competitor to Westwood and gives us another genuine option. Trap must share my views too as why else would the FAI approach him? Lastly, I will be intrigued to know how all this came about which I am sure will be revealed soon. I would not surprised if Bunn did approach the FAI in the past.

Commitment? Applying to FIFA to ally himself with the FAI.
Age limit? Doesn't exist. I'm sure had he made contact with the FAI as an under-21 he would have been encouraged to commit to Ireland in light of the fact he was gaining regular football with Northampton Town at the age of 21.
Nationality? This isn't a specific answer but one which comes close in this context: Does he carry or have applied for an Irish passport?
Why did Trap contact him? Why does Trap do anything?
What I don't comprehend is where are you dreaming up Bunn's "merit" from? He has barely featured for Blackburn. He will more than "merit" his place if he plays for Norwich this season on a continuous basis and demonstrates better ability than Darren Randolph, David Forde and Stephen Henderson. He probably won't though. John Ruddy is England's number 2 and made 37 Premier League appearances last year which was sufficient evidence for Hodgson to call him up.

Is it not fair that a level of loyalty be served to David Forde and Darren Randolph? Not that either of them is a completely exceptional goalkeeper but they've done fine when called upon.

Westwood has bided his time behind Given and has proved more than capable in goals for Ireland.

[TrapAPony]

Not on the bench today. Looks like he is 3rd choice keeper for Norwich behind Ruddy and Rudd

[Lionel Ritchie]

I know this is by no means the first but I've my doubts whether there should be threads for players who might qualify for us or might be interested in playing for us.

There should maybe be a single thread for "possibles" and "eligibles" and hold off on the individual thread til the individual concerned has been included in a squad at whatever level.

[tricky_colour]

Well I was looking thetorugh the Irish Daily Star and there were no Bunn's there just a couple of flabby white baps.

[Colbert Report]

Not even the second choice goalkeeper. Declan Rudd is. I wonder why they even signed him - and why we're talking about a guy who is at best, the third choice goalkeeper for a relegation threatened side.

[Stuttgart88]

Hang on, Declan's an Irish name. My pulse is racing...

[Olé Olé]

Hang on, Declan's an Irish name. My pulse is racing...

This spells the end for Kieren Westwood's international career.

[AlaskaFox]

Hang on, Declan's an Irish name. My pulse is racing...

It's no Joe O'Cearuill.

[gastric]

Commitment? Applying to FIFA to ally himself with the FAI.
Age limit? Doesn't exist. I'm sure had he made contact with the FAI as an under-21 he would have been encouraged to commit to Ireland in light of the fact he was gaining regular football with Northampton Town at the age of 21.
Nationality? This isn't a specific answer but one which comes close in this context: Does he carry or have applied for an Irish passport?
Why did Trap contact him? Why does Trap do anything?
What I don't comprehend is where are you dreaming up Bunn's "merit" from? He has barely featured for Blackburn. He will more than "merit" his place if he plays for Norwich this season on a continuous basis and demonstrates better ability than Darren Randolph, David Forde and Stephen Henderson. He probably won't though. John Ruddy is England's number 2 and made 37 Premier League appearances last year which was sufficient evidence for Hodgson to call him up.

Is it not fair that a level of loyalty be served to David Forde and Darren Randolph? Not that either of them is a completely exceptional goalkeeper but they've done fine when called upon.

Westwood has bided his time behind Given and has proved more than capable in goals for Ireland.

Ole, I really don't want to continue this argument with you. The reality is that one of us will be proved right over the coming months or season, however, just one last point. If Bunn is deemed to be the first or second best keeper for us, he should be picked ahead of Forde and Henderson, and for me this isn't a problem. This is the reality of professional sport.

[Charlie Darwin]

The question is why would he be deemed our second best keeper when he isn't even making the bench for his club and has only played six games in the past 30 months?

[gastric]

The question is why would he be deemed our second best keeper when he isn't even making the bench for his club and has only played six games in the past 30 months?

And as I said above, we will find out the answer over the next while. I would also add that it is a bit presumptous to judge him so early in the season when he has just overcome injury.

[Charlie Darwin]

Well I'm not judging him, I'm just wondering why he's even being mentioned to begin with.

[gastric]

Well I'm not judging him, I'm just wondering why he's even being mentioned to begin with.

Charlie, rather than using your usual sarcasm add something worthwhile to the thread.

[Charlie Darwin]

Sarcasm? No, I am legitimately wondering why we are talking about a player who has played so little football, and is at a stage in his career when he should be establishing himself as a #1 goalkeeper, as a legitimate option for the national team. We have more experienced goalkeepers playing regularly and we have younger goalkeepers with more potential. Fair play if he makes it at Norwich but it's a bit of a remote prospect at the moment.

[gastric]

Sarcasm? No, I am legitimately wondering why we are talking about a player who has played so little football, and is at a stage in his career when he should be establishing himself as a #1 goalkeeper, as a legitimate option for the national team. We have more experienced goalkeepers playing regularly and we have younger goalkeepers with more potential. Fair play if he makes it at Norwich but it's a bit of a remote prospect at the moment.

Isn't that the point of a forum, to discuss the present and possible future of Irish football? You are welcome to your opinion, just I am. I don't believe I am breaking any rules in my postsand if you don't agree or approve of my posts, it doesn't particularly worry me. If you do feel strongly about my posts there are other threads on here that you can visit.

[Charlie Darwin]

Why are you being so defensive? I never said you were breaking any rules. I'm just bemused by all this fuss about Norwich's third choice goalkeeper, who used to be Blackburn's third choice goalkeeper, who may or may not declare for us in the future if he's asked nicely.

[gastric]

Why are you being so defensive? I never said you were breaking any rules. I'm just bemused by all this fuss about Norwich's third choice goalkeeper, who used to be Blackburn's third choice goalkeeper, who may or may not declare for us in the future if he's asked nicely.

Defensive no, just tired of the sarcasm which you continue to use. Again, if you can't add anything worthwhile to the thread, leave it alone.

[Charlie Darwin]

If I was being sarcastic I would tell you. This guy legitimately isn't a realistic option right now, and has little to suggest he will be. We have plenty of reserve goalkeepers we can call on if required. We are very well stocked for goalkeepers who sit on the bench.