SPL better than eircom League � Hoolahan

**Dr.Nightdub** · 08/01/2006, 12:20 PM

Admittedly I pay little or no attention to the English or Scottish Leagues, but does recent history not prove that the Shop Window Theory of football transfers is pure hokum?

OK, Kevin Doyle is doing well at a team that's doing well, but don't forget it's only his first season over there so let's not lose the run of ourselves. Nor does one swallow make a summer.

On the other hand, evidence for the prosecution:
Colin Hawkins
Dessie Byrne
Richie Foran
Trevor Molloy
Clive Delaney
Noel Hunt
Shaun Maher
Daryl Murphy
Whatsisname that went from Kilkenny to Sunderland years back

While Foran, Hunt and Maher are all undoubtedly doing better over there as regards financial terms than they would here, it's hardly acted as a springboard for going on to brighter and better things as regards subsequent transfers - i.e. the famous shop window turned out to have frosted glass.

**Poor Student** · 08/01/2006, 12:20 PM

Originally Posted by thejollyrodger

He will be playing against 2 good clubs and 1 decent enough club. Talking about what other clubs are doing is pathetic attempt at trying to boost the club that you are going to. Livingston arent Celtic, Rangers or Hearts.

Do you actually know that much about the SPL? If Rangers are 1 good club or decent enough, then what does that make Hibs who are ahead of Rangers?

**MrJoeSoap** · 08/01/2006, 12:34 PM

Originally Posted by Dr.Nightdub

Daryl Murphy

Bit harsh. Started the game at Highbury, but its always going to be tough to make an impact in such a woeful team. Not saying he's made a huge impact but give him time at least.

**MrJoeSoap** · 08/01/2006, 12:36 PM

Originally Posted by Poor Student

Do you actually know that much about the SPL? If Rangers are 1 good club or decent enough, then what does that make Hibs who are ahead of Rangers?

But Rangers are in the CL knock-out stages...

**Poor Student** · 08/01/2006, 12:49 PM

Originally Posted by MrJoeSoap

But Rangers are in the CL knock-out stages...

The question still holds.

**Dr.Nightdub** · 08/01/2006, 12:51 PM

Originally Posted by MrJoeSoap

Bit harsh. Started the game at Highbury, but its always going to be tough to make an impact in such a woeful team. Not saying he's made a huge impact but give him time at least.

My mistake, I should've included him in the too-early-to-tell bracket along with Kevin Doyle.

**MrJoeSoap** · 08/01/2006, 1:00 PM

Originally Posted by Dr.Nightdub

My mistake, I should've included him in the too-early-to-tell bracket along with Kevin Doyle.

Maybe you could create a new "Top scorer for the club running away with the English Championship and rated as the 6th best player in England outside the Premiership by the Independent while valued at roughly 40 times what he cost the club just over 6 months ago" bracket just for Doyle?

Deep breath...

**Dr.Nightdub** · 08/01/2006, 1:23 PM

If Doyle is first-choice centre forward for Reading in the Premiership next season and they don't buy in someone else ahead of him, I'll admit I was wrong. However, all that's hypothetical - I'm talking about actual achievements. I'm not knocking what Doyle has achieved, it's been fantastic, but I bet when he went across, most Cork fans were saying "he could do miles better than bleedin' Reading."

And as regards the main thrust of this thread - the Shop Window Theory of transfers as it applies to Hoolahan and Livingston - it's too soon to cite Kevin Doyle (or Daryl Murphy) as evidence one way or the other.

**MrJoeSoap** · 08/01/2006, 1:33 PM

Originally Posted by Dr.Nightdub

If Doyle is first-choice centre forward for Reading in the Premiership next season and they don't buy in someone else ahead of him, I'll admit I was wrong. However, all that's hypothetical - I'm talking about actual achievements. I'm not knocking what Doyle has achieved, it's been fantastic, but I bet when he went across, most Cork fans were saying "he could do miles better than bleedin' Reading."

And as regards the main thrust of this thread - the Shop Window Theory of transfers as it applies to Hoolahan and Livingston - it's too soon to cite Kevin Doyle (or Daryl Murphy) as evidence one way or the other.

I suppose that pretty much sums it up.

Each case should be taken on its own merit, and only time will tell.

**Raheny Red** · 08/01/2006, 1:36 PM

Will there be any highlights on Setanta of the Livi game??

Just on a side note Clyde are beating Celtic 2-0 at half time!

**MrJoeSoap** · 08/01/2006, 1:40 PM

Originally Posted by Raheny Red

Will there be any highlights on Setanta of the Livi game??

Just on a side note Clyde are hammering Celtic 2-0 at half time!

Corrected!

Theyve also missed a penalty and had two goals disallowed. Wonderful for all the ABCoR heads out there.

**Raheny Red** · 08/01/2006, 2:42 PM

http://www.rte.ie/aertel/p238.htm

Livingston manager Paul Lambert praised
Wes Hoolahan for his contribution after
the new signing showed some nice
touches in the Scottish Cup tie away at
Alloa which ended 1-1.

He said: 'Wes hasn't played for six
weeks, but he did really well when he
came on and will get better with more
training and we will see his full
ability as the season progresses.

Michael Bolochoweckyj put Alloa ahead
on 66 minutes but Livi midfielder
Richard Brittain curled a wonderful
equaliser deep into injury time to save
the blushes of the Bank of Scotland
Premier League strugglers.

**dcfcsteve** · 08/01/2006, 4:30 PM

Originally Posted by thejollyrodger

Livingston are never ever going to see Europe.

Errrr - just to correct you there Jolly : Livi were in the UEFA Cup in 2002. Beat Vaduz before losing out to Sturm Graz....

They're still muck this season though, and will struggle to stay up.

**pineapple stu** · 08/01/2006, 8:24 PM

Originally Posted by Dr.Nightdub

Whatsisname that went from Kilkenny to Sunderland years back

Michael Reddy (just in case it was one of those ones that drives you mad trying to remember!)

**thejollyrodger** · 08/01/2006, 8:44 PM

Originally Posted by Poor Student

Do you actually know that much about the SPL? If Rangers are 1 good club or decent enough, then what does that make Hibs who are ahead of Rangers?

I meant the Celtic the Ranger and hibs.

I dont follow the scottish league because i think its just an excuse for rascism and bigitory.

Originally Posted by dcfcsteve

Quote:
Originally Posted by thejollyrodger
Livingston are never ever going to see Europe.

Errrr - just to correct you there Jolly : Livi were in the UEFA Cup in 2002. Beat Vaduz before losing out to Sturm Graz....

They're still muck this season though, and will struggle to stay up.

I never knew that, but they didnt crack europe when they were there

**Raheny Red** · 08/01/2006, 9:47 PM

Originally posterd by thejollyrodger
I dont follow the scottish league because i think its just an excuse for rascism and bigitory.

That is a ridiculous excuse really! Just because of a few gobsh�tes involved with the Old Firm and few others in the Edinburgh derbey are bigots doesn't make the whole scottish league an excuse for racism and bigotry!

**dcfcsteve** · 08/01/2006, 11:42 PM

Originally Posted by thejollyrodger

I never knew that, but they didnt crack europe when they were there

No - but they did crack Vaduz, which is better than Longford did !

And they also put 6 goals past Sturm Graz but still managed to lose.... !

**sfc red** · 09/01/2006, 2:04 AM

Yawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwn...time for a thread close perhaps???

**Mark Breen** · 09/01/2006, 9:45 AM

I think i said that 3 pages ago...

Mod's thread is finished please close...

**superfrank** · 10/01/2006, 3:19 PM

Imo, SPL is better and anyone who says different is fooling themselves. It is a fully professional league, unlike over here. Just because there are only three or four top teams doesn't make the other eight crap.

I think Cork, Shels and Derry would end up aroun 7th,8th and 9th at best.