Sean St. Ledger

[Closed Account]

That's Orlando City. So another trial?

Appears to be on trial with them yes
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sport...0207-post.html

[DannyInvincible]

Yep!
In as much as you can't cut a player that turns down a very poor contract.

Id say it was the other way round.

So it definitely isn't the case that DC United were using the time period to evaluate Sean's potential worth to them and came to the unfortunate conclusion that he wasn't really worth breaking the bank for; that they'd rather cut him from the squad than offer him what he wanted? Why do you think they weren't prepared to offer him higher? What happened to the "piece of paper with numbers on it"? Was that the contract offer? If so, and it was such a poor offer, why didn't Sean reject it weeks ago when he was first offered it?

So what's this new arrangement with Orlando City? Sean himself has described it as a trial. In what way is it different from the arrangement at DC United?

In fact, doc, here's a better question; why did Sean describe his time at DC United as a trial a week and a half ago before their pre-season friendly against Orlando?

Little pre season game against Orlando tonight.... it's just a trial so we'll see how it goes!

Here's the deal; everyone can see it. His stock has fallen, but he's reluctant to accept that and is obviously holding out for something higher. It seems there's a gulf in the contrasting perceptions of reality here between clubs and Sean. The longer this situation continues and the more offers he turns down because they don't meet his expectations, the further his stock will fall; clubs will see it as a greater risk in taking on someone who's been out of regular first-team action for so long. In fact, they'll have the luxury of being able to exploit his increasing desperation with ever-poorer offers. It's a very unfortunate situation and it's difficult to say he's deserving of it as we all know he's a committed lad with plenty of heart and ability, but there's no shame in the situation either, so no need to be so defensive about it all to the point of being in utter denial, doc. I think he'd be better in the long run to acknowledge the reality of his weakened bargaining power and accept a lesser permanent deal for now. He'll get some regular football under his belt at a decent level and his profile will only benefit from there so he can at least hope to receive some better offers a year or whatever down the line. Otherwise, he'll just waste the ever-shortening remainder of his career away and his expectations will cost him a lucrative twilight period and swan song.

[ifk101]

as we all know he's a committed lad with plenty of heart and ability

Let's not generalise. :-)

Sean St Ledger is your average, run of the mill, lower league journeyman. The lower leagues are full on heart and low on ability. Sean St Ledger is lacking in both.

Mick McCarthy can find better players in the Ipswich Town youth team. Says it all really.

[jbyrne]

Let's not generalise. :-)

Sean St Ledger is your average, run of the mill, lower league journeyman. The lower leagues are full on heart and low on ability. Sean St Ledger is lacking in both.

Mick McCarthy can find better players in the Ipswich Town youth team. Says it all really.

but at the same time a player who never let his country down with even one performance I can recall

[ifk101]

but at the same time a player who never let his country down with even one performance I can recall

His country by convenience. Lest we forget we're talking about a player that let it be known he'd play with the north if not picked.

Our centre-halves we're offered an unreal amount of protection under Trapattoni, they were rarely exposed before the opposition figured out the one-dimensional aspect of our play. St Ledger's failings at club level are because (a) he isn't afforded the same level of protection and (b) because he is an extremely average and limited player.

[the doc]

Wrap it up any way you want, but the facts are you can't be that bad a player if you've got 37 caps.

Do you seriously believe international teams took so long to work out our style of play?

We held our own in most games and at least gave the fans some good times.
The Euros were hard, 3 top teams in our group plus we were carrying lots of injuries, that lead to the team not being as effective as it had been throughout the two qualifying campaigns.
That added to a far too long pre tournament camp all took its toll.

Shows just how little you understand about the game.

[DannyInvincible]

But is he on trial at Orlando? Or is he on trial in Orlando?

[ifk101]

You made plenty of mistakes in those 37 caps, how you got that many I do not know.

It was your mistake that led to Bulgaria's goal in your first competitive game. You got pulled out of position and couldn't deal with a simple long ball.
The goal Andorra scored in Dublin was down to you. Poor clearance in the header but you showed a total disregard and disinterest in facing up to the ball.
The French goal in Dublin, down to you again. Rather than showing heart, manning up and facing the ball, you decided to do so with your arse.
Italy's equaliser in the 2-2 game, yeah down to you again and your inability to defend.

The list goes on Sean. I know my footie.

[jbyrne]

Italy's equaliser in the 2-2 game, yeah down to you again and your inability to defend.

the whole team got badly caught out and pulled apart for that goal. to single our st ledger is ridiculous as are many of your other statements above

I know my footie.

oh, that settles it then

[ifk101]

the whole team got badly caught out and pulled apart for that goal. to single our st ledger is ridiculous as are many of your other statements above

To single out St Ledger as a faultless performer for his "country" is ridiculous.

oh, that settles it then

You're breaking the internet.

[tetsujin1979]

You made plenty of mistakes in those 37 caps, how you got that many I do not know.

It was your mistake that led to Bulgaria's goal in your first competitive game. You got pulled out of position and couldn't deal with a simple long ball.
The goal Andorra scored in Dublin was down to you. Poor clearance in the header but you showed a total disregard and disinterest in facing up to the ball.
The French goal in Dublin, down to you again. Rather than showing heart, manning up and facing the ball, you decided to do so with your arse.
Italy's equaliser in the 2-2 game, yeah down to you again and your inability to defend.

The list goes on Sean. I know my footie.

That goal in Andorra was a million to one fluke, everyone in the stadium expected Dunne to clear the ball, but he headed it straight to the Andorran player who hit it first time into the back of the net. He'll never hit a ball like that again for the rest of his career.

[ifk101]

That goal in Andorra was a million to one fluke, everyone in the stadium expected Dunne to clear the ball, but he headed it straight to the Andorran player who hit it first time into the back of the net. He'll never hit a ball like that again for the rest of his career.

It was a poor header from Dunne. But look at what St Ledger does. Instead of turning to face the ball, he turns away from it. Sure it was a lucky strike but that's not the point.

[nigel-harps1954]

Many would say Glenn Whelan is a poor player and he's got 61 caps.

[tetsujin1979]

It was a poor header from Dunne. But look at what St Ledger does. Instead of turning to face the ball, he turns away from it. Sure it was a lucky strike but that's not the point.

so is it St Ledger's fault for not facing the ball, or is it Dunne's fault for not clearing the ball in the first place?

[Stuttgart88]

I remember the media reaction at the time. child molesting priests have been treated with more tolerance.

[Dodge]

Many would say Glenn Whelan is a poor player and he's got 61 caps.

They'd be idiots. There are no players with over 200 appearances that are poor. They might not be world class but they're playing (comfortably) at a very high level for a long time

No back to St Ledger not being able to find a club...

[DeLorean]

so is it St Ledger's fault for not facing the ball, or is it Dunne's fault for not clearing the ball in the first place?

He's saying both. That goal is here at 1:35. Sledge is facing the ball by the time Martinez hits it. It's pretty obvious IFK is being critical for the sake of it here I think. Nonsense with regards the French goal as well as he is facing the ball when Anelka shoots, he only turns to see where the ball is going after it hits him. For both goals it could be argued that he could have closed down the space better, but then he'd have been running the risk of the players taking the ball around him in a dangerous area. I still can't really make my mind up as to who was more at fault for that Bulgaria goal but Kilbane is at least 50% to blame, if he had stayed out wide St. Ledger would have dealt with it for sure.

[DeLorean]

[DannyInvincible]

Dunne was running backwards rather than towards the ball and was stretching to head it with an Andorran challenging him with significant weight and velocity. His clearing header was poor, but I think it was forgivable considering the pressure he was under. He was possibly off-balance. St. Ledger's attempt to close down the goal-scorer was admittedly pitiful. He was slow to act and actually seemed to step out of the way before turning his back on the impending strike.

It's viewable again at 01:40 here:

[ifk101]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdMyDzX1rD4

The Bulgaria goal. Go to 1:08 and it's clear St Ledger has lost his bearings as he is a few yards ahead on the back line and out of position. He scrambles to get back into position and puts off Kilbane in the latter's attempted clearance. Where the ball bounces is in a central position of the field, a centre-half ball to clear.