2016-'Three to watch'

**CraftyToePoke** · 08/05/2014, 6:40 PM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

Much the same could be said of Richard Dunne

I don't agree there. I can't see how you will credibly compare those two, but am all ears.

**Charlie Darwin** · 08/05/2014, 6:48 PM

Originally Posted by CraftyToePoke

I don't agree there. I can't see how you will credibly compare those two, but am all ears.

A rough and tumble defender plowing the lower reaches of the Premier League. I wasn't comparing the two, I was saying the description was apt for both.

**TheOneWhoKnocks** · 08/05/2014, 7:34 PM

Originally Posted by CraftyToePoke

I think he is a fairly agricultural defender at the wrong end of what is a rough & tumble division outside the top handful, whatever Sky would have you think. He is making the most of what he has, fair play and all luck to him, I admire enormously the way he has rebuilt his career. I hope he eek's out another season or two there but that's all he is likely to do. In terms of international options blossoming he is more of an example of the paucity rather than the bounty of options we have in that CB position presently.

Maybe I am being picky but I was raised on an Ireland that could play Paul McGrath in midfield and ignore David O'Leary entirely for stretches so well stocked were we.

11th is mid-table. They could technically even finish in the top-half. Only 6 teams have a better goal difference; 3 by any significant margin.

I think he deserves a bit more credit. He hasn't ever looked out of place at this level. He has been solid for Ireland too.

**eitoof** · 12/05/2014, 3:38 PM

Chris Forrester? I think he has the potential to play for his country at full international level.

**ArdeeBhoy** · 12/05/2014, 7:39 PM

Hear good reports, but realistically are MO'N et al going to pick an EL player directly into the full squad?

**Charlie Darwin** · 12/05/2014, 7:48 PM

Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy

Hear good reports, but realistically are MO'N et al going to pick an EL player directly into the full squad?

No, O'Neill has more or less stated as much. In truth, he needs more physical development and arguably a higher standard to play at.

**eitoof** · 20/05/2014, 12:52 PM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

No, O'Neill has more or less stated as much. In truth, he needs more physical development and arguably a higher standard to play at.

True, but the OP referred to "prospective influential players".
Forrester has the potential to move on to a much higher level I think.

**ArdeeBhoy** · 20/05/2014, 1:37 PM

Fair point, but is Forrester realistically likely to break through?
My hunch is he will make the lower two divisions in England say, which is a higher standard, but unlikely to make an international impact?

**Charlie Darwin** · 20/05/2014, 1:48 PM

Have you ever seen him play?

**CraftyToePoke** · 20/05/2014, 1:55 PM

Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy

Fair point, but is Forrester realistically likely to break through?
My hunch is he will make the lower two divisions in England say, which is a higher standard, but unlikely to make an international impact?

He has a chance, I mean take a look at the squad in the neighbouring thread today, and see how many of our present lads began their football education in LOI. A significant proportion, presently. And some of them key players also.

**eitoof** · 20/05/2014, 2:17 PM

Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin

Have you ever seen him play?

Who, me? A few times, mostly in Europe with Pats as I don't actually support Pats. Also, pretty sure I saw him play for Bohs in a European tie. He's very light but has a lot of "potential" (there I am, back to that word again!)

**Charlie Darwin** · 20/05/2014, 2:21 PM

Sorry, no, I was talking AB.

**ArdeeBhoy** · 20/05/2014, 4:11 PM

Yeah, on a few highlights programmes, what eitoof said.

Take the point about LOI, but skill is usually not enough these days. He doesn't look strong enough though, maybe he can put fill out a bit and have a more athletic build...

**Charlie Darwin** · 20/05/2014, 4:36 PM

Bulking up would be a given for any player going to a pro set-up.

**SkStu** · 20/05/2014, 6:45 PM

Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy

My hunch is he will make the lower two divisions in England say, which is a higher standard

I'll bite.

No it isn't.

**ArdeeBhoy** · 20/05/2014, 7:04 PM

What isn't...

**CraftyToePoke** · 20/05/2014, 7:23 PM

Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy

What isn't...

This, I'd imagine.

Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy

My hunch is he will make the lower two divisions in England say, which is a higher standard

**nigel-harps1954** · 20/05/2014, 7:51 PM

Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy

My hunch is he will make the lower two divisions in England say, which is a higher standard,

I'd also like to butt in at this point and simply say...wise up.

**ifk101** · 21/05/2014, 7:04 AM

If we are going to compare standards against those on the mainland, the LOI is most comparable in standard to the Scottish Championship imo.

**nigel-harps1954** · 21/05/2014, 9:21 AM

Originally Posted by ifk101

If we are going to compare standards against those on the mainland, the LOI is most comparable in standard to the Scottish Championship imo.

In my very honest opinion, outside of Celtic, there's no club in the SPL who would realistically walk away with the League of Ireland Premier Division.

Most of the Premier clubs here are comparable to the top of half of League One, with the exception of maybe Dundalk and St Pat's, who would be lower Championship standard sides over the course of a full season. Nobody is under any illusions within the League of Ireland that the standard is anything overly amazing, but when people completely disregard it, and say it's a lot worse than it is, that grinds some collective gears.