Irish Abroad 2007/2008

**Stuttgart88** · 09/11/2007, 11:25 AM

I hear he's been playing well, plenty of assists. Apparently his crossing has led to a few goals too. He'll have his chance in the B game.

**paul_oshea** · 09/11/2007, 12:31 PM

i think this was a more specific question as to problems re the Ireland team, not actually how well the players were doing....thats why i didnt post it in here initially.

**Stuttgart88** · 09/11/2007, 12:38 PM

I agree, I think there was a specific purpose to the questions, not just a "who's doing ok in UK?" angle.

**Wolfie** · 09/11/2007, 12:44 PM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

i think this was a more specific question as to problems re the Ireland team, not actually how well the players were doing....thats why i didnt post it in here initially.

No top class left full (when Finnan is played in his proper position), no international standard central mid-field whatsoever, right side of midfield has no consistent incumbent, missing a "poaching" striker who will score regularly ................... its all very depressing.

**paul_oshea** · 09/11/2007, 1:10 PM

Originally Posted by Wolfie

No top class left full (when Finnan is played in his proper position), no international standard central mid-field whatsoever, right side of midfield has no consistent incumbent, missing a "poaching" striker who will score regularly ................... its all very depressing.

I see, what you are saying, however if you are strong down the center ( which we are - realtively mind ) it can counteract ( balance if you like ) the weaker positions outwide, the ball on most occassions comes through the centre. SO bar our relative weaknesses in these areas ( some key ) I still feel we are strong overall to countenance this. Your point above central midfield though is valid, I really think this, during kerrs reign as well was the root of our problem. Just look at our competitive matches ( bar the cyprus gaf ) we didnt concede that many goals per game. A good holding/defensive midfielder or simply a midfielder who is capable of winning the ball back and laying off a decent pass is key to letting more attack minded players get on with what they do best - attacking and free flowing football. We have lacked a space between that area and the forwards, which is consistenly evident with keane running round like an autistic child in a playground. Remember a young keane, he was a lot more box oriented, just like a young whipper snapper on a night out full of V and RB

**Bungle** · 09/11/2007, 6:29 PM

In my opinion, we have three world class players (Finnan,Given and Dunne) and one player who was previously world class (Duff). Robbie is a top premiership player but I'd be loathe to say he's world class, or anywhere near it.

Imo S.Ireland has the potential to be world class. However, he is the only truly standout outstanding young player we have at the moment. In the past, we always maybe had about 3 of those type of young players.

However, there does appear to be a huge amount of young irish players bubbling under in the championship and I am quite excited that a few of them like Garvan, McCann and Sheehan can become very decent international players or maybe end up as similar to Steve Finnan, who didn't get his chance at the top level until he was about 23.

**jmurphyc** · 09/11/2007, 7:15 PM

I really don't think Ireland has the potential to be world class. He has the potential to be very, very good but I doubt he'll be one of the top players in the world. As other people have said he's been fairly anonymous for us in most games aside from the goals. On a side note, I don't like the term world class - it's thrown about way too much and it's very difficult to actually define.

**eirebhoy** · 10/11/2007, 12:12 PM

Very encouraging that McShane started at centre half today with Nosworthy at right back. Nosworthy's gone off injured and they've put Harte out to right back. McShane's never a right back in a million years, glad Keane has copped on.

**Supreme feet** · 10/11/2007, 1:54 PM

I don't know why Harte hasn't been called up recently, especially given the absence of any other natural left-back. He's been solid in his last two games, looks confident and made a great tackle on Milner today, despite being out of position. Surely a better option than playing Kelly, Kilbane or Finnan out of position?

**NeilMcD** · 10/11/2007, 2:39 PM

I see walters scored .

**Irish_Praha** · 11/11/2007, 10:15 AM

Originally Posted by jmurphyc

I really don't think Ireland has the potential to be world class. He has the potential to be very, very good but I doubt he'll be one of the top players in the world. As other people have said he's been fairly anonymous for us in most games aside from the goals. On a side note, I don't like the term world class - it's thrown about way too much and it's very difficult to actually define.

For some people the term world-class means that a player is the best player in the world in his position and would make it into the starting 11 of any club or (if nationality wasn't an issue) international team in the world.

That's very debatable and there would be many different opinions on who is actually the best player for one particular position and would mean at any given time there are only 11 world class players on the planet. IMO a player should be considered to be world class if he is considered to be in the top 5 or maybe even 10 players in the world in his position.

**eirebhoy** · 11/11/2007, 10:53 AM

Originally Posted by Irish_Praha

For some people the term world-class means that a player is the best player in the world in his position and would make it into the starting 11 of any club or (if nationality wasn't an issue) international team in the world.

That's very debatable and there would be many different opinions on who is actually the best player for one particular position and would mean at any given time there are only 11 world class players on the planet. IMO a player should be considered to be world class if he is considered to be in the top 5 or maybe even 10 players in the world in his position.

Definitely agree. Have a look at this list:
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showp...8&postcount=32

That's a load of players that would be in the world class bracket. Henry, Juninho and many other superb players aren't there either...

**danonion** · 12/11/2007, 12:37 AM

Calling Rio Ferdinand a libero (or anything other than a prolific scorer of own goals) is an insult to the great Italian sweepers of the last few generations of footballers.

**tetsujin1979** · 12/11/2007, 9:22 AM

Irish Abroad for Friday, 9th November 2007: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroa...ate=2007-11-09
Irish Abroad for Saturday, 10th November 2007: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroa...ate=2007-11-10
Clinton's 100th goal for Palace
Irish Abroad for Sunday, 11th November 2007: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroa...ate=2007-11-11

**shakermaker1982** · 12/11/2007, 10:55 AM

Originally Posted by danonion

Calling Rio Ferdinand a libero (or anything other than a prolific scorer of own goals) is an insult to the great Italian sweepers of the last few generations of footballers.

and putting John Terry in the top 5 centre half also makes it null and void IMO.

**Dr. Ogba** · 12/11/2007, 11:36 AM

Originally Posted by shakermaker1982

and putting John Terry in the top 5 centre half also makes it null and void IMO.

quite a few dodgy ones in that list imho....Gerrard top 5 attacking mid??? Kanoute one of the best strikers in the world??? laughable...

**eirebhoy** · 12/11/2007, 11:49 AM

Dunne got the man of the match award in the fantasy football again yesterday. They love him on that.

As for the list that I posted, the best I've ever seen tbh. There's always a few you'll disagree with. I don't think Gerrard should be in that category at all tbh, he's a box to box player.

**Stuttgart88** · 13/11/2007, 8:54 AM

From bbc.co.uk football gossip:

Bolton want Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Glenn Whelan. (Daily Star)

**Supreme feet** · 13/11/2007, 10:55 AM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

From bbc.co.uk football gossip:

Bolton want Sheffield Wednesday midfielder Glenn Whelan. (Daily Star)

Hope so. We've a lot of central midfield players playing in the Championship, and we need a few of them to make the step up. We can go on about potential, and the likes of Garvan, McCann and Potter playing well for second-tier clubs, but they'll only play at a higher level if they really deserve it. Whelan's at the age now where he should be looking to establish himself, though I fear that if he goes to Bolton, he may still find himself in the Championship next year.

**Wolfie** · 13/11/2007, 12:24 PM

Originally Posted by Supreme feet

Hope so. We've a lot of central midfield players playing in the Championship, and we need a few of them to make the step up. We can go on about potential, and the likes of Garvan, McCann and Potter playing well for second-tier clubs, but they'll only play at a higher level if they really deserve it. Whelan's at the age now where he should be looking to establish himself, though I fear that if he goes to Bolton, he may still find himself in the Championship next year.

I hope the fate of being converted to a full back doesn't befall him.