Staunton leaves the door open for Kenny to return

[geysir]

What's the big deal with Paddy, why can't he make the phonecall? If Stauntan is asked the Q about Kenny, I think he is quite right to put pressure on Kenny to take the initiative. Obviously there is something up, enough for Stan not to name him in the squad without hearing from Kenny first.
Who knows what that is about?
Unlike Toshack, Stan has a mobile. What type player wouldn't give a national team manager a call to say they are available for selection?

[drummerboy]

I've been watching football for a long time. Every so often a player comes along who you recognise to have something special. I witnessed Roy Keane's first game for Forest against liverpool. He had something special. I have seen glimpses of Doyle on the tv but last Sunday I think I recognised this guy to have something special. Maik Taylor is a good experienced International keeper who was playing well when he was left out of the Birmingham team. Bruce must have seen something special about Doyle to include him ahead of Taylor. He now wants to tie Doyle to a long contract, just as Arsenal are reportedly sniffing. I could be proved wrong. I haven't criticised Paddy Kenny or any other Irish keeper. I take umbridge at being called a joke.

[elroy]

I'd be more confident of Doyle continuing his good form and progressing because he is a goalkeeper, rather than an outfield player. He has certainly looked the part this season. It took Shay a decent bit of time to get to as good as he is, so dont expect any less from Doyle.

Think some of ye are been very harsh on Kenny, ya he had a terrible game in Cyprus but the defence was at its very worst as well that night. Shay gives our defence a confidence that no other keeper could but Kenny has been in great form for SU and in fairness he had quite a few personal problems when he decided to take a break from internationals. Would be more than happy to have him back, would certainly be above henderson and colgan in my opinion. Joe Murphy is due to be promoted to the Championship with S****horpe next season and is also worth a mention.

[youngirish]

I feel really dissapointed and let down by the attitudes of some people on this board. Paddy Kenny had a mare of a game in Cyprus. However, so did the ten outfield players as well. He has proved himself to be a very good goalkeeper, better than Colin Doyle, Henderson, Randolph and Colgan.

How easily and conveniently we forget his mare of a game against the Dutch a few weeks before when making a point. The two worst performances I've ever seen from an Irish goalie and they were back to back appearances. Yeah let's ignore that then also.

Roll on Cyprus at home we'll stick Paddy K between the sticks again. We can win if we score more than 5.

Doyle looks a far better keeper than fat Paddy even if it's only over 2 months. Anyone who seen a few games and played a bit of football can see that clearly.

[Stuttgart88]

Anyone remember Doyle's debut for Forest? Early round FA Cup ties against Spurs and he let in a total and utter howler. He recovered and played really well though!

[shakermaker1982]

Anyone remember Doyle's debut for Forest? Early round FA Cup ties against Spurs and he let in a total and utter howler. He recovered and played really well though!

yeah I think it was a 5th round game. I went to the replay and Forest got a hammering back at the City ground. 3-0 or something like that. Once again Forest let a good player slip through their hands.......... my personal favourite is releasing Shaun Wright Phillips on a free because he was too small. A few years later he moves to Chelski for 20 million or so!!!!

[tetsujin1979]

There was a report on Sky Sports News last night about Kenny training at the moment to run 3 marathons in 3 days in the coming weeks, after the season ends. If he does that, I can't see him being in any state to play football.
According to today's Indo, Given could be back for this weekend: http://www.unison.ie/sportsdesk/stor...=12&si=1819113

[eirebhoy]

How easily and conveniently we forget his mare of a game against the Dutch a few weeks before when making a point.

You seem to be the only person saying he had a terrible game against the Dutch. Huntelaar took advantage of one of the worst Irish defences I've ever seen. I can't remember you ever explaining how Kenny had a nightmare against Holland.

[Stuttgart88]

Kenny actually made a brilliant 1-on-1 save in the first minute against Cyprus to bail out a badly underhit backpass by Finnan. And just after Dunne's equaliser Kenny also made a brilliant (barely noticed) fingertip save to touch a close range shot onto the bar, seconds before HT. He really only made one howler in that game, the second goal.

However, making saves is one thing. Organisation is another. He just didn't seem to organise or command his defence well in either the Dutch or Cypriot games. That said, Finnan and O'Brien both had nightmare games in Cyprus and O'Brien was all over the place against Holland.

[eirebhoy]

I wouldn't really know but why would the goalkeeper have a duty to organise the defence? Surely that's left to 1 of the centre halves and the rest of the defenders follow his lead? If any other defender but McShane played against the Czechs I don't think O'Shea would have played so well. Dunne isn't even that great an organiser.

[RogerMilla]

i cannot see how we can question what paddy kenny gives his. he has more experience than anyone bar shay given , he should be called before the next squad , asked if he will play and then named in the squad. he could also declare himself available beforehand to stan. he should be our second chioce keeper.

[youngirish]

You seem to be the only person saying he had a terrible game against the Dutch. Huntelaar took advantage of one of the worst Irish defences I've ever seen. I can't remember you ever explaining how Kenny had a nightmare against Holland.

C'mon eirebhoy get real. 9 goals in 2 games? Yeah Cyprus and the Dutch were great performances. Are you serious? Kenny was rubbish against the Dutch. He did nothing for the entire game we might just as well have played without a goalkeeper.

The defence was hardly 4 goals worse than what Given has had to contend with for the last 10 years. Most of the defence were established first team players even if 1 was employed in a new position.

I doubt if I'm the only one who thinks he was cr*p against the Dutch. As mentioned earlier he doesn't seem to know how to organise his defence something that's essential for a goalkeeper. The defence also appear to have no confidence in him and won't leave anything for him which results in them getting in his way.

Again as with all those who still love and support O'Shea and Connolly I reiterate the point that I don't care how Kenny does for his club he has been shockingly bad for Ireland. He's cr*p and I hope for the sake of our qualification we don't see him in an Ireland shirt anytime soon again.

[livehead1]

I've been watching football for a long time. Every so often a player comes along who you recognise to have something special. I witnessed Roy Keane's first game for Forest against liverpool. He had something special. I have seen glimpses of Doyle on the tv but last Sunday I think I recognised this guy to have something special. Maik Taylor is a good experienced International keeper who was playing well when he was left out of the Birmingham team. Bruce must have seen something special about Doyle to include him ahead of Taylor. He now wants to tie Doyle to a long contract, just as Arsenal are reportedly sniffing. I could be proved wrong. I haven't criticised Paddy Kenny or any other Irish keeper. I take umbridge at being called a joke.

Your post does not make sense. I said that anyone who is criticising Paddy Kenny in such a ridiculous manner without reasoning is a joke....you say you have not criticised and Irish keeper yet you take offence to being called a joke...if you haven't criticised Paddy Kenny, then i would clearly not be aiming my 'joke' comment at you..comprende?

[livehead1]

I've been watching football for a long time. Every so often a player comes along who you recognise to have something special. I witnessed Roy Keane's first game for Forest against liverpool. He had something special. I have seen glimpses of Doyle on the tv but last Sunday I think I recognised this guy to have something special.

and for every Keane who people think has something special after a few games theres many McPhails and Floods who also looked to have something special yet turn out to be run of the mill, you simply can't tell after a few games. Going along with other peoples mentioning of Doyle in goal for Forest, he made a couple of howlers and wasnt judged too early, just like he shouldn't be judged on a few performances for Birmingham

[eirebhoy]

C'mon eirebhoy get real. 9 goals in 2 games? Yeah Cyprus and the Dutch were great performances. Are you seiorus? Kenny was rubbish against the Dutch. He did nothing for the entire game we might just as well have played without a goalkeeper.

Artur Boruc does nothing at home for Celtic most games, it doesn't mean he's had a nightmare. I can't remember Kenny doing anything wrong. All I remember is he was pretty much left 1 on 1 with a player for 2 of the goals, another was a corner.

O'Shea - O'Brien is one of worst central defences I can remember Ireland ever putting out as I've said plenty of times. Both players desperately need to be lead through games. Bobo Balde could look world class beside Johan Mjallby but put him beside O'Shea or O'Brien and the team would easily concede 4 or 5 no matter who was in goal.

As for the organising, I never thought it was the job of a keeper to organise the defence. Maybe you have a point on the confidence thing though.

[Stuttgart88]

As for the organising, I never thought it was the job of a keeper to organise the defence. Maybe you have a point on the confidence thing though.

A goalkeeper should be like an extra set of eyes for a defender. I've played both GK and CB so like to think I know a bit about it!

Do you remember the free header the Dutch scored with from a corner? Totally unmarked & O'Brien was standing alone.

A good keeper will spot that and demand he be picked up. A better keeper will spot who should be marking him. When I was playing CB I'd frequently shout "how am I doing" to my keeper if my forward was making darting runs to make space.

[shakermaker1982]

I agree with Stuttgart - keepers can play a very important role in marshalling the back 4. If I'm playing in MF or in defence I like to hear the GK yelling at the back 4 in case a runner isn't being picked up.

I like to think I can spot players making a move and will always do my best in trying to track back but it amazes me how often I see fellow team mates either a) not spotting a man free or b) too lazy and not bothering to pick up the man. A few vocal barks from the keeper can cut that out IMO. Of course your whole back 4 should be talking through the game but the keeper can see everything and is of use.

[eirebhoy]

Fair points. I certainly don't think Kenny had a nightmare against Holland though. I keep going back to Celtic but David Marshall played in Artmedia when Celtic lost 5-0. He played in the following match when they drew 4-4. His reputation amongst the Celtic fans is poor because of that even though he did very little wrong, and a year after one of the best performances I've ever seen from a keeper in the Nou Camp. I hope Kenny hasn't played his last game for us as he has shown this season he's a lot better than some of the comments in this thread suggest.

In saying that, I'd trust Alan Kelly and I hope he has a big say in which keepers get called up.

[SuperDave]

C'mon eirebhoy get real. 9 goals in 2 games? Yeah Cyprus and the Dutch were great performances. Are you serious? Kenny was rubbish against the Dutch. He did nothing for the entire game we might just as well have played without a goalkeeper.

The defence was hardly 4 goals worse than what Given has had to contend with for the last 10 years. Most of the defence were established first team players even if 1 was employed in a new position.

I doubt if I'm the only one who thinks he was cr*p against the Dutch. As mentioned earlier he doesn't seem to know how to organise his defence something that's essential for a goalkeeper. The defence also appear to have no confidence in him and won't leave anything for him which results in them getting in his way.

Again as with all those who still love and support O'Shea and Connolly I reiterate the point that I don't care how Kenny does for his club he has been shockingly bad for Ireland. He's cr*p and I hope for the sake of our qualification we don't see him in an Ireland shirt anytime soon again.

I know this sounds stupid, but Kenny is the kind of keeper who doesn't make saves you don't expect him to make. Generally okay with routine stuff, but he rarely pulls off blindingly good saves. Shay, on the other hand, does, and from what i've seen of Colin Doyle he has the ability to do the same. You need someone who no matter the shot you think they have a chance of saving it. Paddy Kenny just isn't that keeper.

[drummerboy]

Your post does not make sense. I said that anyone who is criticising Paddy Kenny in such a ridiculous manner without reasoning is a joke....you say you have not criticised and Irish keeper yet you take offence to being called a joke...if you haven't criticised Paddy Kenny, then i would clearly not be aiming my 'joke' comment at you..comprende?

Let me explain. You called people who thought that Doyle and other keepers were better than Kenny “a joke”. While I may not have criticised Kenny, I did state that Doyle is better than Kenny. Steve Bruce gave have him a 4 year contract today, he rates him highly also.

As regards your previous point, I have't raved about any other players who made an immediate and lasting impact besides Keane. That said I was there the day Brady made his debut for Ireland and he was hugely impressive.