Andy Reid(b 1982)

**irishfan86** · 22/04/2008, 5:56 PM

To be honest it was one of Reid's more ineffective games in a Sunderland shirt.

He doesn't have the mobility to be playing behind the front man, and I think he's been far more effective when allowed to sit and hold the midfield as a playmaker.

On the plus side, I was pleasantly surprised by Duff's play when he came on as a substitute. He looked faster than his first few games back, he must be doing some sprint training and regaining that pace.

He'll need to maintain that pace recovery if he's to touch his former level of play.

**eirebhoy** · 23/04/2008, 8:07 AM

It's just not natural for Reid to play behind the striker any more. He looked much more comfortable when Richardson came on, taking the ball from defence and distributing it.

Originally Posted by Ordinary Fan

Duff gave reid a bit of a kicking when he came, must reckon that his place is under threat.

Reid chased Duff back too and Duff went down easy to win the freekick. As someone else said, if you're playing a match and you know 1 player off the opposition you'll tend to feel more of a duty to chase him.

**paul_oshea** · 23/04/2008, 9:08 AM

ya exactly EB, just look at gaelic training and you'll always go in harder on those ye know, instead of those ye dont know!

**Pike B** · 23/04/2008, 9:13 AM

Is the weight he is carrying genetic??
I think he has a superb left peg, but the weight.
Surely there is a diet or training regime that could make him look like a footballer.
I just can't see why any pro these days can be the shape he is.
It's holding him back in my opinion.
But he has great potential..

**eirebhoy** · 23/04/2008, 9:14 AM

Originally Posted by Pike B

It's holding him back in my opinion.

I actually think it's helping him. I'd love Nakamura to have his physique so he could play central midfield. Reid is rarely pushed off the ball.

**lionelhutz** · 23/04/2008, 9:33 AM

He's got great upper body strength which, as EB says, helps him hold off opponents. I think his defensive play is under rated too. He provides excellent cover just in front of the back four - he never allows space between the defence and midfield

**FarBeag** · 23/04/2008, 10:02 AM

Reid is the best player we have along with Dunne and Given. He may have an extra few pounds but he never stops running and his determination and attitude is second to none. He is an extremely intelligent ball player. IF he could stay fit he would be good enough for any of the top four imo.

**Pike B** · 23/04/2008, 10:29 AM

Originally Posted by FarBeag

Reid is the best player we have along with Dunne and Given. He may have an extra few pounds but he never stops running and his determination and attitude is second to none. He is an extremely intelligent ball player. IF he could stay fit he would be good enough for any of the top four imo.

But why can't he shed the weight?? If Jan Molby had the dieticians and nutritionist's in his day, he'd have been even more incredible. But he didn't, that's his excuse. What's Reid's?? I am not trying to argue his quality, because he has it in spades, but it has to be addressed if he's ever to be taken serious.

**irishfan86** · 23/04/2008, 10:24 PM

To be honest after watching him play quite a bit since his move to Sunderland, I think it's just the frame of his body.

There's no way a fat, unfit man is going to run around constantly for 90 minutes and still be able to do what he does.

It's not as if he's falling apart in the final 30 minutes of a game, in fact he scored a beautiful 90 minute volley a couple of weeks ago.

I've got a friend who looks nothing like a soccer player with a similar frame. He can run forever but he looks like a ****ing balloon.

Reid is stocky and has a big rib cage. Contrary to popular belief, fitness trainers can't fix that.

But oh well, it's good for a laugh isn't it? Let's criticize one of our most talented players for a weight problem he doesn't have, and after every game, let's say, "a big performance by a big man."

HAHAH, get it? Isn't that funny?

What a joke.

**ken foree** · 24/04/2008, 8:53 AM

Originally Posted by irishfan86

But oh well, it's good for a laugh isn't it? Let's criticize one of our most talented players for a weight problem he doesn't have, and after every game, let's say, "a big performance by a big man."

HAHAH, get it? Isn't that funny?

What a joke.

ha, well said. i agree the laffs are past their sell-by date.

**Pike B** · 24/04/2008, 9:32 AM

I am not laughing. I hope your right, but doubt it.

**youngirish** · 24/04/2008, 9:59 AM

Originally Posted by irishfan86

To be honest after watching him play quite a bit since his move to Sunderland, I think it's just the frame of his body.

There's no way a fat, unfit man is going to run around constantly for 90 minutes and still be able to do what he does.

It's not as if he's falling apart in the final 30 minutes of a game, in fact he scored a beautiful 90 minute volley a couple of weeks ago.

I've got a friend who looks nothing like a soccer player with a similar frame. He can run forever but he looks like a ****ing balloon.

Reid is stocky and has a big rib cage. Contrary to popular belief, fitness trainers can't fix that.

But oh well, it's good for a laugh isn't it? Let's criticize one of our most talented players for a weight problem he doesn't have, and after every game, let's say, "a big performance by a big man."

HAHAH, get it? Isn't that funny?

What a joke.

I agree. He's small, compact and stocky not fat, there's a difference. It would be unnatural imo for him to lose weight and the effort involved (dieting, more pure fitness training) would probably do him more harm than good on the football pitch due to the negative effect it would have on his upper body strength.

He'd end up like his teammate David Connolly. A slight breeze would knock him off the ball.

**Pike B** · 24/04/2008, 10:43 AM

Originally Posted by youngirish

I agree. He's small, compact and stocky not fat, there's a difference. It would be unnatural imo for him to lose weight and the effort involved (dieting, more pure fitness training) would probably do him more harm than good on the football pitch due to the negative effect it would have on his upper body strength.

He'd end up like his teammate David Connolly. A slight breeze would knock him off the ball.

Is there no in between?? Surely with proper training he could be like Messi or Tevez. Small athletic, but tough as nails and hard to knock off the ball.

**dr_peepee** · 24/04/2008, 11:39 AM

Originally Posted by irishfan86

To be honest after watching him play quite a bit since his move to Sunderland, I think it's just the frame of his body.

There's no way a fat, unfit man is going to run around constantly for 90 minutes and still be able to do what he does.

It's not as if he's falling apart in the final 30 minutes of a game, in fact he scored a beautiful 90 minute volley a couple of weeks ago.

I've got a friend who looks nothing like a soccer player with a similar frame. He can run forever but he looks like a ****ing balloon.

Reid is stocky and has a big rib cage. Contrary to popular belief, fitness trainers can't fix that.
.

I dunno.. I used to think that, but check out around his face as well. He has the chin bag and jowels...Plus he never takes his top off at the end of a game.... ever

**Guidedbyvoices** · 24/04/2008, 12:04 PM

Originally Posted by dr_peepee

I dunno.. I used to think that, but check out around his face as well. He has the chin bag and jowels...Plus he never takes his top off at the end of a game.... ever

Would you like if he did take his top off? Do you usualy look out for that sort of thing at the end of a match?

**Stuttgart88** · 24/04/2008, 12:11 PM

Originally Posted by dr_peepee

I dunno.. I used to think that, but check out around his face as well. He has the chin bag and jowels...Plus he never takes his top off at the end of a game.... ever

I saw photos of him swapping shirts after the 3-0 home win vs Cyprus, revealing very baggy and wobbly biceps!

He'll never be a waif but I'd love to see what Spurs' new ftness coach would make of him. Fat arse Robinson has shed loads of weight, Huddlestone & Robbie Keane too. I agree with Dr. PP, you can tell by looking at his face that there's weight to be lost. The average top flight footballer has minimal body fat these days, not unlike middle distance athletes, but with more strength. He's a class act despite this though and I'm sure his fitness is fine but I think with work could get better.

I've posted this before, but a few years ago Munster and Man United were sharing the Celtic Manor hotel in preparation for a match at the Millennium Stadium. Ronan O'Gara, a very fit bloke himself I'm sure, said he couldn't believe how slight the United players were. I stood next to Gilberto Silva of Arsenal a while back and he hadn't a pick on him, yet these guys have such impressive core strength that they're tough as nails (unless you're a cheating girls blouse like Didier Drogba).

**eirebhoy** · 24/04/2008, 12:41 PM

Reid before injury last year:
http://www.goal.ie/fundraising/image...%20-%20use.JPG

Reid with a bit of extra weight:
http://img.skysports.com/07/11/218x2...eid_596512.jpg

**Wolfie** · 24/04/2008, 1:00 PM

Its all about Reid remaining injury free.

With Traps "Band Camp" only a matter of weeks away in Portugal - a few weeks break - and then into Sunderland's pre-season training - he should be in decent shape for September.

**Pike B** · 24/04/2008, 1:02 PM

Originally Posted by Wolfie

Its all about Reid remaining injury free.

With Traps "Band Camp" only a matter of weeks away in Portugal - a few weeks break - and then into Sunderland's pre-season training - he should be in decent shape for September.

Ya like Bob Hoskins maybe

**eirebhoy** · 24/04/2008, 1:14 PM

Originally Posted by Wolfie

With Traps "Band Camp" only a matter of weeks away in Portugal - a few weeks break - and then into Sunderland's pre-season training - he should be in decent shape for September.

Nothing to do with Reid but I literally cannot wait for this training camp and matches to begin. I haven't been this excited about our team since 2002.