Players to Watch in the UK Next Season

**eirebhoy** · 24/04/2007, 12:27 PM

Benitez seemed to rate him highly too. He played on the right at Liverpool more often than not and didn't impress but in the centre (behind the strikers) I liked the look of him.

**youngirish** · 24/04/2007, 1:06 PM

I'm surprised Stephen Gleeson and Michael Spillane from Norwich aren't in that U19 squad. Also Richard Keogh from Bristol City has had a good season and has been omitted. Another Irish central defender to watch in the Championship next season.

Also what about the Ipswich lads Garvan and Clarke? Both could qualify for that squad. Are they playing for the U21's instead? I'd rather see them with their own age group.

Originally Posted by lionelhutz

Is st. ledger any good?? theres been alot of hype about him and i havent watched him play yet so im just wondering has he got the potential to be a future international??

I think St Ledger is pretty useful and should soon enough make the step up to the Premiership. I do think McShane and O'Dea are better central defenders though. Maybe Staunton did something right getting St Ledger on board though as we are short of decent cover in defence.

**tetsujin1979** · 24/04/2007, 2:45 PM

Originally Posted by youngirish

I'm surprised Stphen Gleeson and Michael Spillane form Norwich aren't in that U19 squad. Also Richard Keogh from Bristol City has had a good season and has been omitted. Another Irish central defender to watch in the Championship next season.

Also what about the Ipswich lads Garvan and Clarke? Both could qualify for that squad. Are they playing for the U21's instead? I'd rather see them with their own age group.

Gleeson, Spillane and Garvan have all being playing regularly for their clubs in recent weeks, it's possible they couldn't get released. The games against the Czechs are friendlies anyway, so it gives McCaffrey a chance to look at other options in those positions. Dennehy in particular is supposed to be highly rated at Everton.
On the other hand, Clarke is out of the Ipswich team at the moment, and not in the Ireland squad, yet Rooney is regularly in the matchday squad on loan at Yeovil and is out in the Czech Republic at the moment.
Is Stokes still eligible for the U-19?

**Dodge** · 24/04/2007, 3:00 PM

Spillane captained the Irish side in the couple of u18 games I seen recently. I presume he was "rested" for this one to give a couple of others a shot

**kingdom hoop** · 28/04/2007, 5:45 PM

After the Wolves match today QPR manager John Greogory weighed in with his support of Andy Keogh;

"The boy Keogh is one of the finds of the season.

"He's one to watch next season, regardless of which division Wolves are in.''

Very positive

**livehead1** · 28/04/2007, 8:06 PM

Originally Posted by kingdom hoop

After the Wolves match today QPR manager John Greogory weighed in with his support of Andy Keogh;

"The boy Keogh is one of the finds of the season.

"He's one to watch next season, regardless of which division Wolves are in.''

Very positive

Coming from a man who paid 9.5 million for Juan Pablo Angel!

Although i would agree in the sense that he looks like he has a lot of ability.

**youngirish** · 30/04/2007, 9:38 AM

I do like the look of Keogh though I worry that he doesn't score as many goals as I'd like. He's more of a Robbie Keane type striker from what I've seen as in he likes to drop deep and create chances for others than hang around the box, picking up scraps.

I also like Leon Best. He's big and powerful and very direct and bangs in bucketloads of goals when on form. He scored again at the weekend. The only worry I'd have with Best though is that he seems to be one of those confidence strikers and he has periods where he can't buy a goal. When he's on form though he's prolific. I'm still not sure if his heart is set on Ireland though.

**Stuttgart88** · 30/04/2007, 10:11 AM

I hope the young lads get to make the trip to the US. Call Best up & get him on board once and for all.

I'm not sure if Robbie will travel to the US, but the current form of he and Doyle, plus the emerging talents such as Keogh, Best & Murphy is quite exciting, not to mention the likes of Stokes and Long.

Roy O'Donovan deserves a call up.

Ward & Clarke probably best in U21 set up for now?

**dr_peepee** · 30/04/2007, 12:57 PM

Lets churn out the old reliables for Start of season high hopes!!!!!

Michael Timlin, Richie Partridge,

Seriously though.. Andy Keogh's getting rave reviews even when not scoring. A full season this level now will stand to him. Still young enough to step up again.

Daryl Murphy in the Premier league. Very impressed with him on Friday. Could be an Irish Berbatov in the making!!

If Stokes reminds himself that there's 9 other outfield players on his team he'll be worth looking at.

Garvan is still flying below the radar of the bigger clubs, which is good considering his age. A good full season with Ipswich and then hopefully a step up will do for me.

Mcshane in the Premiership, with or without WBA!!

**cavan_fan** · 30/04/2007, 1:05 PM

Originally Posted by dr_peepee

Lets churn out the old reliables for Start of season high hopes!!!!!

Michael Timlin, Richie Partridge,

Seriously though.. Andy Keogh's getting rave reviews even when not scoring. A full season this level now will stand to him. Still young enough to step up again.

Daryl Murphy in the Premier league. Very impressed with him on Friday. Could be an Irish Berbatov in the making!!

If Stokes reminds himself that there's 9 other outfield players on his team he'll be worth looking at.

Garvan is still flying below the radar of the bigger clubs, which is good considering his age. A good full season with Ipswich and then hopefully a step up will do for me.

Mcshane in the Premiership, with or without WBA!!

Nearly all strikers, whats got me most excited is Doyle at Birmingham (a realistic No.2 for 5 years then replace Shay), McShane, O'Dea. I would happily trade a successful season for Garvan for Murphy, Stokes and Best!

**Bottle of Tonic** · 30/04/2007, 3:01 PM

O'Dea looks an excellent prospect at Celtic, however as with most young players he'll need a big slice of luck to get himself a run of games and established in the team at centre half next season. His excellent performances in the second half of the season might just as easily have never happened had it not been for injury/suspension/inelegibility etc. As well as himself he's got competition from McManus,Pressley,Caldwell,Kennedy,Balde(injured I know) for CB next season and its not exactly a position the manager chops and changes with too often.

**cavan_fan** · 30/04/2007, 3:08 PM

Originally Posted by dr_peepee

Lets churn out the old reliables for Start of season high hopes!!!!!

Michael Timlin, Richie Partridge

I'm looking for a great season from Willo Flood!

**co. down green** · 30/04/2007, 9:58 PM

Originally Posted by Bottle of Tonic

O'Dea looks an excellent prospect at Celtic, however as with most young players he'll need a big slice of luck to get himself a run of games and established in the team at centre half next season. His excellent performances in the second half of the season might just as easily have never happened had it not been for injury/suspension/inelegibility etc. As well as himself he's got competition from McManus,Pressley,Caldwell,Kennedy,Balde(injured I know) for CB next season and its not exactly a position the manager chops and changes with too often.

Good article on O'Dea below , he seems like a determined kid and i think he's one that will still be around in a few years.

http://www.theherald.co.uk/sport/hea...365906.0.0.php

**eirebhoy** · 01/05/2007, 4:17 PM

Originally Posted by co. down green

Good article on O'Dea below , he seems like a determined kid and i think he's one that will still be around in a few years.

http://www.theherald.co.uk/sport/hea...365906.0.0.php

"It's something I need to improve on, to become a bit louder in the dressing room," he said. "There are players with massive experience in there, so I'm listening more.

"As a defender you have to be a leader and a talker. I'm a relatively good talker on the park, but with more experience I will become more commanding."

He doesn't seem shy anyway judging by this:
http://www.letthepeoplesing.com/vide...ted_by_players

**danonion** · 03/05/2007, 3:51 AM

Might be the season to get McSheffry on board, isn't he promoted with Birmingham?

**Claret Murph** · 04/05/2007, 10:54 AM

Chris McCann at Burnley he has been getting rave reviews this season and scored 5 or 6 goals coming as as a sub .
The one to watch .

**Qwerty** · 06/05/2007, 4:59 PM

Originally Posted by danonion

Might be the season to get McSheffry on board, isn't he promoted with Birmingham?

Despite Gary having a very green background ( Irish father? and Irish grandparents ) he has played for Ingurland at U21 level so he doesn't qualify for us. End of story.

**republicofwhite** · 06/05/2007, 11:16 PM

Saw Keogh on the highlights earlier from today, looked like he was having a joke, tearing Leicester to shreds, they couldn't deal with him at all. His peno(won by Ward) was delightfully cheeky as well. Dwight Yorke eat your heart out.

**co. down green** · 07/05/2007, 9:13 PM

I presume the championship play-offs will rule out McShane & Keogh from the American tour ?

**youngirish** · 08/05/2007, 9:12 AM

Leon Best by all accounts had a great game for Southampton against Southend. He banged in two goals. Seen one of them it was a great finish.

Best to me looks like he can bang goals in at any level if he gets decent service and a run in the team. Hopefully he still wants to play for Ireland and hasn't been swayed over to the dark side.

Kevin Thornton and Jay Tabb seem to be doing the business at resurgent Coventry at the moment also. Pity it's so late in the season. Both suffered from injury earlier in the season. Next year will be an important one for both as I can see Coventry pushing for promotion under Dowie.