Who do you think are the most overrated members of the Irish squad?

**Dr. Ogba** · 07/03/2008, 10:09 AM

Originally Posted by Qwerty

John O'Shea was overrated when he first came on the scene, he was the new Paul McGrath

, now we know he is an average player and is no longer overrated.

Putting aside club performances I would ask what has Steven Reid ever done for Ireland yet he is lauded on this board.

I think we overrate Andy Reid.

Finnan is a bit overrated for Ireland and Liverpool come to that.

I really don't think we overrate very many players though to be honest.

Totally agree about the Steven Reid comment, but saying that he's only played for us out of position so i'm still willing to be proven wrong.

Agree on Finnan, don't think his loss will really affect us that much.

Not so much on Andy Reid though...

**Kingdom** · 07/03/2008, 10:20 AM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

Kingdom, I knew you werent on about ireland, i just meant great post. i should have started another paragraph.

Thanking you.

For anyone who is interested, the current issue of fourfourtwo, while continuing the slide from decent footie mag, to deplorable rag, has a good article on Barca's academy, and while it may not compare with anything that could be done in this country its still a good article.

In my opinion and while I wouldn't have the time to commit to doing something about it currently, the schoolboy soccer situation in the country is depressing. Utterly depressing. Bar the loi teams that now field schoolboy teams

**Wangball** · 07/03/2008, 10:23 AM

I don't think its a case of any of our players being over rated its more a case fo the team on a whole under achieving

They're all good players, some could be considered to be great players, if they weren;t they wouldn't be getting paid the fortunes they get

Richard Dunne aside there's not a single player who consistently plays to his potential when he pulls on the jersey Ireland

Stephen Hunt isn't over rated either, he's over hyped, everyone knows he's a limited player but he gets lauded for running around like a headless chicken and running his stupid mouth off

**BigmanCas** · 07/03/2008, 10:31 AM

Originally Posted by Wangball

I don't think its a case of any of our players being over rated its more a case fo the team on a whole under achieving

They're all good players, some could be considered to be great players, if they weren;t they wouldn't be getting paid the fortunes they get

Richard Dunne aside there's not a single player who consistently plays to his potential when he pulls on the jersey Ireland

Stephen Hunt isn't over rated either, he's over hyped, everyone knows he's a limited player but he gets lauded for running around like a headless chicken and running his stupid mouth off

Shay Given is the best Goalkeeper in the world

**lionelhutz** · 07/03/2008, 10:34 AM

Originally Posted by RivaldoBabb

Who on this forum rates John O'Sh1te?! Isnt it common knowledge that he is Irelands and Man Uniteds Phil Neville, in that he plugs gaps unspectacularly in various positions? Hes also a waster who might have developed into a good central defender if he moved from Man-ure to play regularly in that position.

Stephen Ireland is the most overrated player in our squad, he definantly doesnt warrant the hype that goes with him.

Thats such a harsh comment on Phil Neville. He's playing great stuff with Everton

**BigmanCas** · 07/03/2008, 10:35 AM

Originally Posted by Ciaran

And he set up a goal with his first touch

This board seems to be very anti-Hunt which is odd. In the premiership aside from Dunne and Keane he's been the best Irish performer this year. Crucially actually being a player who's commanded his team. Maybe Dunne but other than that how many Irish players can you say are the Key members of their team?

At international level he's done fine. Some average performances, some great performances. I don't think he's underrated.

He has no ability - reminds me a bit of Kaorl Proborsky - like a blinkered racehorse - identifies the corner flag and runs for it. Commanded a team? Blind leading the blind more like. Finnan, Given, Murphy all are playing great stuff with their respective clubs.

**eirebhoy** · 07/03/2008, 10:37 AM

Originally Posted by Dr. Ogba

Not so much on Andy Reid though...

More often than not he's one of our best performers. More often than not he's one of his clubs best performers. Bar his time at Spurs really.

**lionelhutz** · 07/03/2008, 10:41 AM

Originally Posted by Dr. Ogba

Totally agree about the Steven Reid comment, but saying that he's only played for us out of position so i'm still willing to be proven wrong.

Agree on Finnan, don't think his loss will really affect us that much.

Not so much on Andy Reid though...

I couldn't disagree more with that comment. Finnan is the best full back we've had since Denis Irwin was in his prime and now we have a Birmingham right full with no sense of positioning to replace him. Ya we won't miss him at all.....................

Kelly will be in the chamionship next season whether Birmingham get relegated or not. McLeish will get rid of him if they stay up

**eirebhoy** · 07/03/2008, 10:50 AM

Originally Posted by lionelhutz

Kelly will be in the chamionship next season whether Birmingham get relegated or not. McLeish will get rid of him if they stay up

What makes you think that? The fans rate Kelly as one of their better players. He's played more games than any Birmingham player this season. He did well at centre half against Arsenal too.

**ifk101** · 07/03/2008, 10:51 AM

Finnan is a much better player than Kelly - no question about that. But I don't think Kelly is an automatic choice for us in that position following Finnan's retirement. Joey O'Brien and JOSH are better options for right full back than Stephen Kelly IMO.

**eirebhoy** · 07/03/2008, 10:54 AM

Nah I'd rather Kelly over O'Brien for right full. O'Brien isn't a right full. O'Shea did well enough there under Stan though.

**tetsujin1979** · 07/03/2008, 10:56 AM

Joey O'Brien played centre midfield for Bolton again last night, I don't think he's played right full in some time now

**lionelhutz** · 07/03/2008, 10:57 AM

Originally Posted by eirebhoy

What makes you think that? The fans rate Kelly as one of their better players. He's played more games than any Birmingham player this season. He did well at centre half against Arsenal too.

I've seen him a few times this season and granted he seems to be paying well at the moment. But I believe he's just having a good run of form which will end sooner rather than later. I don't think he has the reading of the game - which is essential for a full back - to permanently play at a high level

**ifk101** · 07/03/2008, 11:02 AM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

Joey O'Brien played centre midfield for Bolton again last night, I don't think he's played right full in some time now

Aye but he can play there. And so can Paul McShane. The good thing about that position is that we have a number of options if Finnan doesn't come back. We unfortunately don't have that many options for the centre half position so getting Andy O'Brien back is a priority.

**Kingdom** · 07/03/2008, 11:03 AM

We will have options if Andy O'brien returns to the flock I think. His return would free up , in my opinion, John O'Shea for one of the full back positions. I would prefer Kilbane to O'Shea at left back while I'd have O'Shea over Kelly at right back.

**BigmanCas** · 07/03/2008, 11:20 AM

Originally Posted by eirebhoy

What makes you think that? The fans rate Kelly as one of their better players. He's played more games than any Birmingham player this season. He did well at centre half against Arsenal too.

Absolute nonsense. S Kelly is a walking liability. He is not international class. Thank god he made contact with the ball when he tackled Robino in the box (2nd half v Brazil) because if he didn't there would have been a serious injury. He gave away 3 penalties in the first half of the season and was lucky not to give away 3 or 4 more. Not to mention his shocking performances at LB last September. EB I thought you were the sage of this site? O Shea, Mc Shane, O Brien all before Kelly.

**jbyrne** · 07/03/2008, 11:54 AM

Originally Posted by BigmanCas

Thank god he made contact with the ball when he tackled Robino in the box (2nd half v Brazil) because if he didn't there would have been a serious injury

couldnt you say that about any tackle? making a tackle is about winning the ball, he did so whats the problem exactly?

and you acuse others of talking nonsense

**tetsujin1979** · 07/03/2008, 12:06 PM

Originally Posted by BigmanCas

Thank god he made contact with the ball when he tackled Robino in the box (2nd half v Brazil) because if he didn't there would have been a serious injury.

Are you complaining that he made a decent tackle?

Originally Posted by BigmanCas

Not to mention his shocking performances at LB last September.

So a right fullback, who can't play the ball with his left foot, plays badly at left full? Big shock there. If anyone was at fault for that, it was Stan for playing him there in the first place.

Originally Posted by BigmanCas

O Shea, Mc Shane, O Brien all before Kelly.

When was the last time O'Shea played right full, for club or country? McShane has only played there a handful of times this season for Sunderland, and doesn't have the pace to be a full back. O'Brien is now playing regularly in central midfield, where he's on record stating it's where he's most comfortable.