Irish Strikers

**theworm2345** · 22/10/2006, 4:56 PM

They are having serious issues in England, and I dont know why. I'll try to say something bad, then good about everyone I can think of off the top of my head

Robbie Keane: has 0 EPL goals this whole season, umm...

he tries hard?
Kevin Doyle: seems to be a bit up and down, but has probably been the best of the strikers in England
Shane Long: Still hasnt scored, started today
Steve Hunt: still hasnt scored, started last week
Terry Dixon: does nothing at Tottenham, is apparently good

Clinton Morrison: struggling to get regular time at Palace, has scored twice
Daryl Murphy: has only scored once, is still playing usually at Sunderland
David Connolly: still hasnt scored for Sunderland, has been 1st, 2nd, and 3rd in Man of the Match voting for them the past 3 games (+ has had 2 shots cleared off the line

)
Stephen Elliott: is hurt--hard to judge, scored 2 goals in the games he did play making him Sunderland's top scorer
Alan Lee: not too much bad to say besides that Staunton wont play him and that he seems to be streaky, has been our best forward (goal-wise) with 5
goals
Adam Rooney: hasnt gotten much time at all for Stoke (playing behind Pericard, Bangoura, Sidibe, and Fuller), finished strong last year
Billy Clarke: still too inexperienced to start every match, but is playing quite well when he does get on. Has scored 4 goals
Jonathan Macken: has only scored 1 goal, retains his starting spot
David Bell: doesnt get regular time at Luton, has scored twice

So why arent our forwards doing anything at international or domestic level? I dont know if you have been counting, but it has been 493 minutes since one of our forwards has scored at international level.

**Qwerty** · 22/10/2006, 7:32 PM

It's obviously a conspiracy, there is no other explanation.

BTW, I'm not sure what Stephen Hunt & David Bell are doing on the 'strikers' list.

**cheifo** · 22/10/2006, 8:50 PM

Elliot scored two fantastic goals last season and clearly needs a good run without injuries.From what I have seen he has got quality.

**theworm2345** · 22/10/2006, 9:42 PM

Originally Posted by Qwerty

It's obviously a conspiracy, there is no other explanation.

BTW, I'm not sure what Stephen Hunt & David Bell are doing on the 'strikers' list.

I've seen them listed as both striker and midfield before, as have I Martin Devaney

**Soper** · 22/10/2006, 11:04 PM

Sorry to be pedantic, but I thought the term 'domestic' in an Ireland forum would be related to one's performance in the National League?

**theworm2345** · 23/10/2006, 12:25 AM

Originally Posted by Soper

Sorry to be pedantic, but I thought the term 'domestic' in an Ireland forum would be related to one's performance in the National League?

I'm pretty sure domestic just refers to club football
"of or pertaining to the home, the household, household affairs, or the family"
Because many of the footballer's who play in England's home is in England it would be domestic, I think

**Dodge** · 23/10/2006, 12:44 AM

Think you're being very unfair to the likes of Rooney and Long. They've very young and are doing well to get a game at all. Doyle has been highly praised for his overall performances for Reading but he's in a team that doesn't create many chances.

Keane is having a nightmare time at the moment though and some of the more experienced players just aren't good enough (Morrison, Macken etc)

**Stuttgart88** · 23/10/2006, 7:36 AM

Originally Posted by Tuff Paddy

Well Billy Clarke got on the scoresheet again at the weekend for Ipswich and is attracting Premiership interest.

Tony Stokes hit two for Falkirk and is doing everything that's asked of him while on loan from Arsenal.

Andy Keogh is going great guns at S****horpe and is another one scouts are watching.

It's not all doom and gloom.

Exactly.

Clarke was continuously singled out on ITV's Championship summary on Sunday morning.

He scored one very good header, had a good low shot saved, had another blocked, set up Lee's goal with a beautiful crossfield pass on the break, and missed an easy header (saved) at the end. Not bad for a teenager. He's quick & direct.

Stokes seems to know how to score too.

Shane Long started vs Arsenal yesterday. Doyle is a fine player.

Robbie's not playing great but his form for Ireland is more dependent on our midfield already having a grip on the game first. I think we expect too much of him at times.

I noticed in what I saw of Real vs Barca last night that Raul is now playing in a withdrawn role, behind Van Nistelrooy & Robinho(?) & it seems to suit him. I think it'd suit Robbie too.

Just for info: Terry Dixon is a long term injury worry. Dislocated kneecap which is apparently a very dangerous injury for a teenager still growing.

**Dr. Ogba** · 23/10/2006, 8:10 AM

Originally Posted by cheifo

Elliot scored two fantastic goals last season and clearly needs a good run without injuries.From what I have seen he has got quality.

I've been a fan of Elliott's for a long time and have always been impressed with him when he's had a decent run of games....good touch, quick enough, good awareness and, most important of all, he's a goalscorer. But I'm starting to genuinely worry that he will be injury prone for the whole of his career and maybe this is the reason that Man City got rid of him a few years back? IMHO when fit, I think he's definitely Premiership quality...

**Stuttgart88** · 23/10/2006, 8:17 AM

Prompted by the concurrent Paul McGrath thread, I did a google search on Friday on Chris McGrath, Paul's son who was an Irish underage international & was in Liverpool's youth team.

This is what came up (from kickinmagazine.ie, in February 2000):

Kerr names u16 squad - February 6, 2000

Manchester City's exciting young prospect Stephen Elliott will finally get his chance to shine for Ireland's u16s. Elliott has been called up by Brian Kerr for the Republic of Ireland's friendly against Norway in United Park, Drogheda, tomorrow week, February 14.

Elliott starred at u15 level last season, but injury forced him to miss Ireland's three u16 games so far this season - against Latvia, Spain and England.

Liverpool's Chris McGrath, is again included. McGrath, son of senior international legend Paul McGrath, will earn his third cap at this level if he makes the team.

Republic of Ireland squad v Norway: Morgan Cranley (Grimsby Town), Paul Murphy (Seatown), Vincent Tyrell (Home Farm), Killian Brennan (Home Farm), Ciaran Sharkey (Belvedere), Chris McGrath (Liverpool), Pierre Ennis (Aston Villa), Eddie Keyes (Belvedere), Glen Whelan (Manchester City), Pierce Power (Ferrybank), Neil McCafferty (Charlton Athletic), Darren Potter (Liverpool), Brian Gannon (Lourdes Celtic), Barry Cogan (Millwall), Stephen Maguire (Belvedere), Denis Behan (Abbeyfeale), Stephen Elliott (Manchester City), Mark O'Brien (Belvedere)

So, it appears that Elliott's fitness has been a concern throughout his career. A pity, as I'm really convinced by him. A genuine goalscorer. I wonder would top class medical attention, like how Chelsea analysed Duff's hamstrings to the nth degree, offer benefit?

**youngirish** · 23/10/2006, 9:05 AM

Strikers are the least of our worries. We've more depth in that position than all other positions and some fine prospects coming through.

Billy Clarke looks to be the business. He's been touted as an excellent prospect for a number of years now and was one of the Ipswich Youth teams stars when they won the FA Cup a couple of seasons ago. He has 4 goals so far this season (most from the bench) and has been the Man of the Match (according to the English Sun anyway - a rag I know) at least 3 times.

Adam Rooney also looked to be the business last year scoring 4 goals in 3 starts at the end of the season but the change in management at Stoke and an untimely injury at the start of the season has hamperred him a bit this year. He's only 18 though so he has time on his side.

Long looked decent yesterday rushing around and generally been a nuisance. He took on his man and beat them a number of times. He's lightning quick something Ireland can always do with up front. When Kitson gets back to fitness though I'd like to see Long get a loan move and a run of games for a Championship team rather than sitting on the Reading bench.

If you want to worry, worry about our Centre Backs. Or lack of them. Mc Shane warmed the bench again yesterday, Dunne was desperate on Saturday, O'Brien is still not getting a look in at Portsmouth and McCarthy was absent from even the Leicester bench (I think he's still injured). We are f**ked in that position and don't have anything decent coming through the ranks though Heath Ledger seems to be doing the business for a promotion chasing Preston (a tactical masterstroke from Stan perhaps getting him on board for the future?).

**Stuttgart88** · 23/10/2006, 9:12 AM

Preston are on SKY on Friday evening. I'll use the opportunity to get a first real look at General Ledger. Hopefully a few of the Burnley Irish will feature too.

Darren O'Dea at Celtic is a highly regarded young centre-back. My guess is that Curtis Davis will be sold by WBA in January opening the door for McShane. Mowbray made his name developing a young team up at Hibs so hopefully he'll recognise McShane's potential. Mowbray was a centre-back after all! I'm worried that Marcos Painter doesn't even make the bench at Birmingham these days. I don't think he's injured.

Adam Rooney scored a few for the U19s recently, including two against Holland I think.

**dr_peepee** · 23/10/2006, 9:42 AM

Everton are supposed to be keeping tabs on CLarke, according to one paper and a couple of web sites

**Closed Account 2** · 23/10/2006, 10:28 AM

Originally Posted by youngirish

If you want to worry, worry about our Centre Backs. Or lack of them. Mc Shane warmed the bench again yesterday, Dunne was desperate on Saturday, O'Brien is still not getting a look in at Portsmouth and McCarthy was absent from even the Leicester bench (I think he's still injured). We are f**ked in that position and don't have anything decent coming through the ranks though Heath Ledger seems to be doing the business for a promotion chasing Preston (a tactical masterstroke from Stan perhaps getting him on board for the future?).

One of my friends from Uni is a PNE fan, he said that Sledge has been really impressive this season and is happy playing anywhere across the back.

**Dr. Ogba** · 23/10/2006, 11:18 AM

Originally Posted by cfdh_edmundo

One of my friends from Uni is a PNE fan, he said that Sledge has been really impressive this season and is happy playing anywhere across the back.

Remember seeing him with the team in Dublin airport before heading out to Stuttgart...remember thinking he looked a bit small for a centre-half??

**cavan_fan** · 23/10/2006, 11:41 AM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Republic of Ireland squad v Norway: Morgan Cranley (Grimsby Town), Paul Murphy (Seatown), Vincent Tyrell (Home Farm), Killian Brennan (Home Farm), Ciaran Sharkey (Belvedere), Chris McGrath (Liverpool), Pierre Ennis (Aston Villa), Eddie Keyes (Belvedere), Glen Whelan (Manchester City), Pierce Power (Ferrybank), Neil McCafferty (Charlton Athletic), Darren Potter (Liverpool), Brian Gannon (Lourdes Celtic), Barry Cogan (Millwall), Stephen Maguire (Belvedere), Denis Behan (Abbeyfeale), Stephen Elliott (Manchester City), Mark O'Brien (Belvedere)[/I]

I know the progression from underage to senior is poor but God, we didnt get much from this squad. I think I'm right in saying only one has been capped and he is at best unproven. I think the generation who are now 22-26 have been a real disappointment which is a large part of our problems now and will be a huge problem in 4 years time unless we are very lucky in the young crop.

On strikers, for what its worth Billy Clarke is banging them in for my Football Manager Ipswich side!

**DotTV** · 23/10/2006, 12:07 PM

Stokes is getting a few goals with Falkirk.
Graham Barret has just come back from injury with Falrkirk aswell.
They also have Stephen O'Donnell up there who used to be captain of Arsenal u18's as well as on Ireland U18's.
Richie Foran has had a few good seasons with Motherwell but I haven't heard much of him this year.
Anyway hopefully a few of these lads will play the B international.
Is it against a Scotland B team or a Scotland "full" team?

**Peadar** · 23/10/2006, 1:18 PM

ITV had extended highlights of Ipswich on Sunday morning and Billy Clarke did really well, after replacing Jon Macken. He took his goal well and had a few further chances to score. The commentator certainly liked him anyway.