The Kevin Nolan saga

[livehead1]

i don't think he will be in the next england squad. Eriksson leaves after the world cup, he doesn't think he is as good as the players in the side at the moment so what does he gain from picking him for one game, nothing. However, i think nolan will wait untill he talks to the next england manager before making his decision, i think thats certain.

[Qwerty]

So what? He was eligible to represent Ireland so what's the problem?
He made the Olympics because he was best of those eligible, what wrong with that?

Actually his horse was

You may be over-interpreting "I think Charles was welcomed with open arms and made the Olympics at the expense of a native born Irishman...at least I don't recall any negative media coverage.", this is simply a statement of fact and was made in response to others who gave examples from other countries and sports.

I have no objections to Breens and kilbanes. For the sake of necessity I can live with the Tony Cascarinos ( big fan ) and the Andy Townsends, who put in 100%.

The issue now with a Kevin Nolan call-up is NOT Kevin Nolan, it is Stan and the FAI and whether we should be courting players who obviously would prefer to gain international recognition elsewhere. I think it puts us in an embarrassing position, besides Nolan is an excellent player and will be capped by England, I can think of 20 players who played for England in the last 10 years who weren't half as good.

[livehead1]

Actually his horse was

You may be over-interpreting "I think Charles was welcomed with open arms and made the Olympics at the expense of a native born Irishman...at least I don't recall any negative media coverage.", this is simply a statement of fact and was made in response to others who gave examples from other countries and sports.

I have no objections to Breens and kilbanes. For the sake of necessity I can live with the Tony Cascarinos ( big fan ) and the Andy Townsends, who put in 100%.

The issue now with a Kevin Nolan call-up is NOT Kevin Nolan, it is Stan and the FAI and whether we should be courting players who obviously would prefer to gain international recognition elsewhere. I think it puts us in an embarrassing position, besides Nolan is an excellent player and will be capped by England, I can think of 20 players who played for England in the last 10 years who weren't half as good.

i can think of 4 in the england squad who aint as good. crouch, bent, young, hargreaves, nolan is superb and has been for 3years

[dr_peepee]

the next England squad is the world cup squad isn't it?? I don't think they've any more friendlies lind up.

[Qwerty]

Neil Kilkenny is probably the next fella to be harrassed by Stan.

If Jimmy Bullard isn't called up by Germany (chuckle) then I think Stan wouldn't have to press him very hard to play for us, not that he offers us much really and is about as Irish as Chinese take-away, but I would like to Stan get somebody ... he deserves a break.

[Ash]

Sky Sports The Other Day Had A Adticle On Sven And His Date For A B International...goodbye Nolan, Also Arron Lennon (spurs)was Approached By Stan But Declined The Offer

Yep, I think they are planning to play Belarus to give "fringe" players a chance
to show their worth ... or in more apt terms get a few players who probably
arent in with a chance of the World Cup, but are touting themselves for dual
nationallity, to declare for England on the off chance someone else snaps them
up and they do well.

[livehead1]

Yep, I think they are planning to play Belarus to give "fringe" players a chance
to show their worth ... or in more apt terms get a few players who probably
arent in with a chance of the World Cup, but are touting themselves for dual
nationallity, to declare for England on the off chance someone else snaps them
up and they do well.

this gets ever more complicated...would a b international rule someone out from changing nationality????

[Cowboy]

this gets ever more complicated...would a b international rule someone out from changing nationality????

Dont think so as its not a competitive game

[Hither green]

Dont think so as its not a competitive game

It doesn't have to be competitive, a friendly will commit you to a country won't it? I thought U21s were the same, so still haven't quite understood why Nolan is still free to choose.

Yep, I think they are planning to play Belarus to give "fringe" players a chance to show their worth ... or in more apt terms get a few players who probably arent in with a chance of the World Cup, but are touting themselves for dual nationallity, to declare for England on the off chance someone else snaps them up and they do well.

I think you're right. On the eve of a World Cup why else talk about a B-match. They'll not get a chance to go to the World Cup, the current manager is on his way out and they'll have plenty of games and a different manager to impress in the autumn. I imagine a B-game would commit you and that's the only reason for england talking about having one.

Could just as easily push Nolan the other way though. If you've one country begging and pleading with you to join them and another country hasn't shown any interest then reluctantly offers you the chance to play in a B-(not quite good enough for a full)-international.... Remember Chris Sutton a few years ago, they called him up for a B and he told them where to shove it. Not that I want Nolan onboard but that would be very funny

[livehead1]

It doesn't have to be competitive, a friendly will commit you to a country won't it? I thought U21s were the same, so still haven't quite understood why Nolan is still free to choose.

he is not free to choose, he played a competative game for england at underage level but fifa said that if we asked there would be a good chance?! lol stupid clowns. But a friendly on the other hand, would not commit you, at underage level. It does at senior level though.

[Cowboy]

But a friendly on the other hand, would not commit you, at underage level. It does at senior level though.

Are you sure about that, I see nothing in the rules that distingusihes between friendlies at different age levels, my understanding is that B internationals and friendlies do not tie you to a particular country at any age level. Paul Butler is a case in point AFAIK he is still eligible to play for wales etc.

[livehead1]

Are you sure about that, I see nothing in the rules that distingusihes between friendlies at different age levels, my understanding is that B internationals and friendlies do not tie you to a particular country at any age level. Paul Butler is a case in point AFAIK he is still eligible to play for wales etc.

No, Butler can't play for Wales unless he receives special dispensation from Fifa. Once you have a full international cap to your name i.e. you play for a nation at senior level in either a friendly or comp. game then thats it.

B games are a different kettle of fish. Like the Scotland future squad, no full caps are given out.

[Cowboy]

Paul Butler seems to think otherwise as often quoted. From Fifas regulations "any player who is qualified to play for more than one national association (i.e. who has dual nationality) will be deemed to have committed himself to one association only when he plays his first international match in an official competition (at any level) for that association."

The important phrase here for my arguement is "in an official competition (at any level) for that association." Why would they use the term competition instead of just first international match?

[Cowboy]

thought this might lighten the discussion

"The concept of national team eligibility continues to elude some fans. Take this exchange, for example, on TalkSPORT’s Scottish phone-in when goalkeeper Antii Niemi still played for Hearts (borrowed from Jason Burt’s “The Sweeper” column in The Independent, 1 January 2003):"

“Caller: I'm a Hearts fan and, fair enough, Stephen Pressley gets a game for Scotland but what I can't understand is why [national coach Berti] Vogts never picks Antii Niemi.

“Host (former footballer Arthur Albiston): Eh? Sorry?

“Caller: Why does he never pick Antii Niemi for Scotland?

“Host: It's because he's Finnish.

“Caller: What?

“Host: Antii Niemi is Finnish.

“By now enraged caller: He's not Finnish! He's only 28!”

[Roverstillidie]

if nolan played a b international for the saxons would people on here still call for him to play?
unfortunatley i think so.

[Cowboy]

Perhaps, my own view is that no one who does not consider themselves Irish should play for us, however I do recognise that not everyone shares this view and some would take the ultimately pragnmatic approach that we take whomever qualifies.

[highlight100]

no dis-respect to mr nolan but if he wanted to declare for us he would of a long time ago,do we really need a player playing for us who clearly isn't too bothered...

[livehead1]

if nolan played a b international for the saxons would people on here still call for him to play?
unfortunatley i think so.

i dont think he should be allowed 2 play for us

[NeilMcD]

Nolan said on Sky Sports yesterday that he is not really interested in playing international football and he likes the break in between matches as he relaxes abroad. He believe this break has helped his form this season. He also said numerous times in the interview that Sam Allardyce would be a great manager for "us" when talking about the future England manager.

[livehead1]

Nolan said on Sky Sports yesterday that he is not really interested in playing international football and he likes the break in between matches as he relaxes abroad. He believe this break has helped his form this season. He also said numerous times in the interview that Sam Allardyce would be a great manager for "us" when talking about the future England manager.

nothing new there though really. theres been loadsa stuff coming out of him this season, and he regularly contradicts himself, one week his dream is to play for england, next week he aint too fussed about international football etc