Gartland Missed the Call!!!

[Row Z]

Did anyone else see todays Mirror? apparently Graham gartland off the Drogs, missed out on a place in the US squad because no-one in the FAI could get hold of him. he was at a 40th apparently and left his phone at home. hence, alan bennet got the nod. now the author of the article,(name eludes me) was of the opinion that if he's good enough to get the initial call,then why wouldnt Stan and the FAI get him on the planes regardless??
Feel sorry for the lad, probably wont get another chance to join the squad.

[Sheridan]

Hopefully "missing a call" is a euphemism for telling the FAI to stick their Yankee junket up their hole, as I suspect it is.

[geysir]

I don't know about the story. Sheridan, any real material grounds for your suspicians?

[Dyl10]

No, its true. He cant go because of the game today. There is alot of discussion about it on the Drogs MB

[iceman]

Token gesture IMO , call-up for a Mickey-Mouse tournament means nothing , Drogs have more important games this week.

[eirebhoy]

I wouldn't call it a token gesture. We're without arguably the top 5 or 6 centre halves in the ranks.

[ghBohs]

A handy man to have in the squad should any of the games go to penalties.

[TonyD]

good luck to alan bennet and joe gamble but i think its safe to say they wont have a look in come september.stan can shove his american junket up his arse and the two cork lads shouldve told him that

Bennet might. Don't forget, he's playing "proper" football in England now. Agree with your second point.

[iceman]

Totally agree , when it comes to competitive matches Stan turns his back on EL players and its only because his first choice squad would prefer to go on holidays than represent their country that the manager decided to include EL players. Come September he will be looking in Leagues 1 and 2 to fill the squad rather than give EL players a call-up.

[cavan_fan]

if garto played in england hed be in the top two centre halves and you could argue the same forjay gavin too if he went back over

What evidence is there for this? Hard to know with Gartland but Gavin was tried in England and despite a promising start never really prosepred.

It may be a result of the sorts of players who have moved over this year but the succesful eL transfers have largely been attacking players. I wonder is this because a good attacker will transfer relatively easily but as a defensive player if you havent been playing against top class opposition week in week out its hard to step up. It's one reason I'd like to see O'Dea moving.

[tetsujin1979]

stan can shove his american junket up his arse and the two cork lads shouldve told him that

I'm sure if they did that, it would ensure the future participation of any future eL players in the squad.

[pete]

It may be a result of the sorts of players who have moved over this year but the succesful eL transfers have largely been attacking players. I wonder is this because a good attacker will transfer relatively easily but as a defensive player if you havent been playing against top class opposition week in week out its hard to step up. It's one reason I'd like to see O'Dea moving.

Not sure of the logic there. Could also be argued forwards would not make the grade because not used to playing against better defenders either.

BTW I think you taking poetic licence in describing SPL & Championship defenders as top class.

[geysir]

Is there any LOI player past or present who has not appreciated being called up to the national squad? Are there any capable LOI players now who would agree with the lemon suckers and turn their noses up at a chance to gain a cap?

[eirebhoy]

if garto played in england hed be in the top two centre halves and you could argue the same forjay gavin too if he went back over.good luck to alan bennet and joe gamble but i think its safe to say they wont have a look in come september.stan can shove his american junket up his arse and the two cork lads shouldve told him that

My point was I don't think you can say it was a token gesture considering how many players are unavailable.

As for him being one of our best 2. I very much doubt it. Dunne is on a different level to the centre halves in the LOI. McShane is excellent too and has the potential to be top class. It's the best partnership we've had in years.

[Sheridan]

Players know when they're being messed around, and they know which side (and by whom) their bread is buttered. Waltz off mid-season for a couple of meaningless friendlies and lose your place in the team? Not likely. There's no benefit to the clubs either. A handful of international caps won't affect a player's transfer value. In fact, they'll lessen the amount of leverage a club can wangle from a high-profile foreign transfer. The big money is in bonus clauses for international appearances, which won't be forthcoming if a player has already been capped.

[pete]

I would be surprised if any player in the UK or Ireland would turn down a chance to get his first cap.

[BobtheDrog]

From whatI´ve heard he was pretty devastated to have missed the call, feels that he won`t get another chance.

[pete]

From whatI´ve heard he was pretty devastated to have missed the call, feels that he won`t get another chance.

Probably correct. LOI players only get a chance when the Manager has searched the entire english league system.

[dr_peepee]

didn't they call off the Bray Cork game cos Gamble was involved with the Squad... I'm sure they wouldv'e done the same for Drogheda..

[pete]

didn't they call off the Bray Cork game cos Gamble was involved with the Squad... I'm sure they wouldv'e done the same for Drogheda..

I don't know what the official reason was but we also have 3 players in the 4 Nations 'U21' squad. Even taking the U21 squad member we would probably not have had 5 subs on friday.