Stephen McPhail

**dr_peepee** · 29/08/2006, 2:45 PM

Yeah!!

He still thinks that Randolph is one of the old brothers from Trading Places!!

**eirebhoy** · 29/08/2006, 3:18 PM

Originally Posted by youngirish

Stuttgart you've summed up my whole impression of McPhail as a player. He looks good even great when he's playing in a game where his team are dominating and getting most of the ball.

On the flipside in a team that is struggling to get possession he's sh**e.

As someone said already, you've pretty much described Frank Lampard.

**drinkfeckarse** · 29/08/2006, 3:33 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

It makes my bloood boil when people like Frank Stapleton, Kevin Moran & Jason McAteer are paid to comment on our future on SKY when they literally only know the tip of the iceberg. I'd bet you anything that Frank the Plank wouldn't cross the road to see Paddy McCarthy or Paul McShane play just to see what he's like, for example.

Never a truer word.....

**Donal81** · 29/08/2006, 4:24 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

One reason why I think the press doesn't ask tough questions is because they don't know enough about Staunton's options, who's playing well & who isn't etc..

Against that though, it's completely Staunton's prerogative to pick Jon Douglas if he thinks he's good enough, or Miller if he thinks he's better than McPhail. Both did reasonably well against Holland.

I think it's only saddos like me & many others on here who actually go out of their way to find out how certain Irish players are getting on. I was delighted, as an example, to see Darren Randolph's photo in yesterday Times in the "Player of the Day" caption!

Everyone else is too wrapped up in the WWF, sorry, Premiership. It makes my bloood boil when people like Frank Stapleton, Kevin Moran & Jason McAteer are paid to comment on our future on SKY when they literally only know the tip of the iceberg. I'd bet you anything that Frank the Plank wouldn't cross the road to see Paddy McCarthy or Paul McShane play just to see what he's like, for example.

Firstly, no disrespect to them, but a lot of sports journalists are writers more than reporters. The long colour article is their product, not investigative journalism. The exclusive one on one interview is very important to them, moreso than political or business reporters (not that the one on one interview isn't big for those guys either), so the questions can be quite soft. Ask them to write 1000 words on Roy Keane's pre-teenage boxing career, and you'll get a cracking read. Ask them to investigate the finances of the Eircom League and you're in trouble.

As for your last paragraph, you're spot on. I've said it before, there's no better place than right here for getting information that really matters. Ditto for decent discussion.

**dr_peepee** · 29/08/2006, 5:21 PM

Group Hug

**Donal81** · 30/08/2006, 8:08 AM

Originally Posted by dr_peepee

Group Hug

Ha! Very good.

**Soper** · 17/09/2006, 1:47 PM

Played very well yesterday for Cardiff

**IsMiseSean** · 05/10/2006, 1:14 PM

What does he have to do to get a call-up?
Surely when Alan Quinn had to withdraw he was the man that should have been called up

. We dont have many midfielders who can pass the ball good enough for International football
Anyone else agree?

**Billsthoughts** · 05/10/2006, 1:17 PM

he should be given a chance alrite but what invariably happens is it takes a few games to settle at international level and we dont really give guys that chance..probably cant afford to really.

**irishfan86** · 05/10/2006, 1:18 PM

I agree he should be in the squad.

Although Stan may tell you McPhail wouldn't be a "looking for the future" choice.

**IsMiseSean** · 05/10/2006, 1:20 PM

How old is he? I thought he'd be around 25, surely thats not to old?

**Sniffer** · 05/10/2006, 1:25 PM

Haven't seen him play for a while, but always thought of him as a cultured player. Unfortunately, I think he lacks a bit of pace and the English league is usually merciless where players like him are concerned. Reckon he could play at a high level in Spain or Italy with a 'minder' alongside him in midfield.

**irishfan86** · 05/10/2006, 1:26 PM

Originally Posted by JGKyne

How old is he? I thought he'd be around 25, surely thats not to old?

He's 27, and it's not so much about how good he is right now, but how good some people think he should have been.

A mediocre journeyman will always look better than a failed prospect in the eyes of the fickle.

**galwayhoop** · 05/10/2006, 1:53 PM

Originally Posted by Dr. Ogba

Surely he would be worth a shot next month against a lesser team?

that couldn't happen... wouldn't it be a 'kick in the teeth' to the lads who are in all the squads up till now

**kingp35** · 05/10/2006, 4:27 PM

He is playing well this season for cardiff but he needs a strong holding player beside him otherwise he can be a liability. His defensive work is poor but he has the ability to play some great passes. His set-pieces are very good too. Sadly we dont have that class holding player to play alongside a McPhail type player at the moment.

**Stuttgart88** · 10/12/2008, 8:03 AM

A pal of mine at work was doing his UEFA B course in Wales at the weekend and he said McPhail was on the course as well. Other players like Ricardo Scimeca were there. My mate is an ex-semi pro player and he said in the participation sessions McPhail was a class above everybody else. He said he was a really nice guy and that he still had hopes of getting back into the Ireland team. He was in the Portugal training squad I think but not sure what happened after that.

**drummerboy** · 10/12/2008, 8:41 AM

Very cultured footballer. Reckon he would have been a big hit on the continent. Just lacks the physicality of the premiership. His passing is a joy to watch though.