Irish Abroad 2007/2008

**Stuttgart88** · 05/01/2008, 9:52 AM

Stephen is a regular in our U21 team and still plays regularly enough for Sheff United. I haven't noticed Alan getting many games recently and Keith is still to make a real breakthrough afaik.

Tetsujin's stats site should be able to tell you more, or soccerc who knows them personally.

**tetsujin1979** · 05/01/2008, 5:51 PM

Originally Posted by eirebhoy

Is there still any chance of Willo Flood making it?

Willo Flood to Celtic in the summer is a definite possibility (if anybody wants to sig this, feel free. My source is a close relative of the player). Loads of potential but fell by the wayside. Hows he doing at Dundee Utd?

A mate of mine who is a Dundee Utd fan assures me that he's 'world class'

If that were true, would that mean that Strachan is resigned to losing one of McGeady or Nakamura? Surely he couldn't play all 3 in the same midfield? It would be far too lightweight

**eirebhoy** · 05/01/2008, 6:05 PM

I wouldn't read too much into it tbh but if he was bought it would just be as backup or some sort of alternative. Celtic have no real winger in the squad.

**ofjames** · 05/01/2008, 7:55 PM

willo flood has found his level in the spl. he doesnt have the tricks or pace to make up for what he lacks in terms of physique. he's not nearly good enough for a club of celtics stature

also, did anyone notice keith treacy started for blackburn against coventry today??? looks to be on the cusp of a breakthrough.

**eirebhoy** · 05/01/2008, 8:17 PM

I think Flood should maybe stick to right back for a while. Instead of being a winger who likes to get stuck in he could be a defender who likes to get forward.

**tetsujin1979** · 05/01/2008, 10:35 PM

Irish Abroad for Saturday, 5th January 2008: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroa...ate=2008-01-05
Alan O'Brien starts his first game since November, but he's been a regularly introduced substitute
Some pass from Stephen Quinn for Sheffield United's winner, but I reckon Bolton weren't too bothered

Originally Posted by ofjames

also, did anyone notice keith treacy started for blackburn against coventry today??? looks to be on the cusp of a breakthrough.

He was a substitute last week against Sunderland, the Coventry game was his first start for Blackburn. With them out of both cups, I don't really see him starting many games for the rest of the season.

Originally Posted by eirebhoy

I think Flood should maybe stick to right back for a while. Instead of being a winger who likes to get stuck in he could be a defender who likes to get forward.

He played right back for City a few times as well, but was mainly used on the right wing when he did play

**Stuttgart88** · 06/01/2008, 12:08 PM

I didn't see Stephen Quinn's pass but the Sunday Telegraph gave him Man of the Match. They also gave Jay Tabb Man of the Match.

**tetsujin1979** · 06/01/2008, 2:40 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

I didn't see Stephen Quinn's pass but the Sunday Telegraph gave him Man of the Match. They also gave Jay Tabb Man of the Match.

Check it out here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39DXqhhvvAA
Pass comes on about the 25 second mark

**tetsujin1979** · 06/01/2008, 2:50 PM

According to today's Irish Independent, David Bell has been linked with West Brom for about 500,000. Article is not online though.

**NeilMcD** · 06/01/2008, 4:05 PM

Impressed with young Keith Keane for Luton against Liverpool, having a very good game.

**tetsujin1979** · 06/01/2008, 8:43 PM

Irish Abroad for Sunday, 6th of January 2008: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroa...ate=2008-01-06
Despite few games, there was still a fair representation of Irish players

**eirebhoy** · 06/01/2008, 11:11 PM

Originally Posted by eirebhoy

McShane was apparently excellent today against Bolton. No surprise it was against a target man in Kevin Davies. Anyway, the BBC still make stuff up saying the ball hit McShane's arm for the goal. The ball didn't touch him. He was shoved in the back. His timing for headers is superb and certainly not something he can be critisised for. I don't know what it is but people like to try and find faults in everything McShane does. His style of play makes him look like a headless chicken but he's far from that and will be class when he hits his peak imo.

And this continues. From todays English Independent:

"Around �2.5m of that went on Paul McShane, but no one before yesterday was arguing it was money well spent.

Afterwards, no one would have dared. McShane was part of a defence that failed to pick up Paul Scharner in the 19th minute and then scored a comical own goal 11 minutes into the second half. "

Some papers called the first goal a mix up between McShane and Nosworthy. McShane was marking his own player the whole time. Nosworthy was supposed to be marking the goalscorer. McShane gave out to Nosworthy after the goal so the papers call it a mix up.

The own goal. Absolutely no fault to McShane at all, just unfortunate. The Indo say McShane got the ball first but if you watch it closely Agahowa actually gets to the ball slightly earlier and pushes it into McShane's path:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjZaxfUr_aQ

There was nothing he could really do there. He still comes out of the game with more bad rep.

**bohsRap** · 07/01/2008, 8:59 AM

Originally Posted by eirebhoy

And this continues. From todays English Independent:

"Around �2.5m of that went on Paul McShane, but no one before yesterday was arguing it was money well spent.

Afterwards, no one would have dared. McShane was part of a defence that failed to pick up Paul Scharner in the 19th minute and then scored a comical own goal 11 minutes into the second half. "

Some papers called the first goal a mix up between McShane and Nosworthy. McShane was marking his own player the whole time. Nosworthy was supposed to be marking the goalscorer. McShane gave out to Nosworthy after the goal so the papers call it a mix up.

The own goal. Absolutely no fault to McShane at all, just unfortunate. The Indo say McShane got the ball first but if you watch it closely Agahowa actually gets to the ball slightly earlier and pushes it into McShane's path:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vjZaxfUr_aQ

There was nothing he could really do there. He still comes out of the game with more bad rep.

Dead right about them goals eirebhoy. If anything the second was Evan's fault for losing possession. I hope you're right about McShane though. He has serious commitment but I fear his pace and knowledge let him down. No doubt he'll improve and as a just turned 22 year old he's doing a good job at centre half.

**Stuttgart88** · 07/01/2008, 9:18 AM

Did Joey O'Brien play central midfield on Saturday?

**tetsujin1979** · 07/01/2008, 10:20 AM

From today's football365 rumours: http://www.football365.com/story/0,1...028382,00.html

Leicester are making a �1.5million swoop for 11-goal MK Dons midfielder Keith Andrews...Stephen Hunt has given Reading a transfer-window headache by refusing to rule out leaving the club for Sunderland...Plymouth boss Paul Sturrock is going back to old club Sheffield Wednesday with a bid to buy midfield general Glenn Whelan...

Andrews to Leicester is interesting considering Wolves let him go only a few seasons ago
I still can't see Hunt going to Sunderland, he's playing regularly in a better side further up the table
Under Sturrock, Whelan went from the transfer list to player of the season in the same season. He brought Coughlan to Wednesday as well after working with him previously at Plymouth, so he has a record of working with the same players

**Deckydee** · 07/01/2008, 10:50 AM

Originally Posted by Ciaran

who the hell cares what nationality a 16 year old is, If he's still top of his age group in 5 years time then it's time to look into him but chances are this'll be the first and last time everyone in this topic will ever hear about him.

Would we say the same about Wayne Rooney?

**eirebhoy** · 07/01/2008, 11:29 AM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Did Joey O'Brien play central midfield on Saturday?

Yeh I think so. Nicky Hunt played right back but went off at half time. Maybe O'Brien moved back to right back then.

**Dr. Ogba** · 07/01/2008, 12:44 PM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

From today's football365 rumours: http://www.football365.com/story/0,1...028382,00.html
Andrews to Leicester is interesting considering Wolves let him go only a few seasons ago
I still can't see Hunt going to Sunderland, he's playing regularly in a better side further up the table
Under Sturrock, Whelan went from the transfer list to player of the season in the same season. He brought Coughlan to Wednesday as well after working with him previously at Plymouth, so he has a record of working with the same players

Andrews is a funny sort, can't believe that he's scored 11 goals this season. Having seen him a few times at Wolves I remember thinking he was more of a Carsley type player and was always sitting back when Wolves were attacking. Has he sort of "reinvented himself" (for want of a better term!) as an attacking midfielder or something?

**OwlsFan** · 07/01/2008, 1:00 PM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

Under Sturrock, Whelan went from the transfer list to player of the season in the same season. He brought Coughlan to Wednesday as well after working with him previously at Plymouth, so he has a record of working with the same players

Whelan is playing well under Laws. It's just that his contract is up at the end of the season so the Owls may try and cash in on a sale of the player before he goes for nought. They don't actually want to get rid of him.

**tetsujin1979** · 08/01/2008, 9:46 AM

From today's transfer rumours on football365: http://www.football365.com/story/0,1...030238,00.html

Roy Keane is poised to act on his threat to shake up Sunderland with a �6million double swoop for Reading's Stephen Hunt and Leroy Lita...Wolves manager Mick McCarthy has told close friends he would jump at the chance of returning to managing the Republic of Ireland...Everton are lining up a �600,000 swoop for Ipswich striker Danny Haynes...Leicester manager Ian Holloway is ready to fight off late competition from Watford to sign Graham Kavanagh...David Norris could be stuck at Plymouth as Argyle want �1million for him - after they have given 50% of any fee to his former club Bolton...Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill is considering a move for Reading striker Kevin Doyle

The Doyle to Villa rumour is interesting, O'Neill is known to be looking for a striker, and many here have compared Doyle to Larsson (ok, just stutts). Although I reckon O'Neill will probably go for Defoe now he has been told he can leave Spurs.
I included the Danny Haynes rumour because if it went through, it would mean more chances for Billy Clarke to stake a claim for a starting position