Ian Harte

**EastTerracer** · 05/03/2011, 3:46 PM

To be fair to Harte the 2002 World Cup was probably the most disappointing 4 games he played for Ireland. He was really excellent in that qualifying campaign and expectations were high for him at that time. He was never the best defensively but his threat from set-pieces made him a really valuable part of the team. His confidence was already shot in Japan/Korea before he missed the penalty in that game. It's a bit harsh to single out that game as a judgement of his contribution.

**Closed Account** · 05/03/2011, 3:47 PM

Originally Posted by Yard of Pace

If Harte returned to our starting eleven, I'd have to install a defibrillator in my living room.

Harte attack?

**Yard of Pace** · 05/03/2011, 4:22 PM

Originally Posted by joe_denilson

Harte attack?

No, Harte defence

**Sullivinho** · 05/03/2011, 5:05 PM

When Harte was around, getting a free kick within shooting distance was a genuine event. I miss that.

Ditto on the living room resuscitation though.

**SkStu** · 05/03/2011, 5:16 PM

Originally Posted by Colbert Report

Because he's crap defensively. Go back and watch the Spain match from the 2002 World Cup. Scary stuff. I remember Roy Keane gave him a chance when he was at Sunderland and Ian Harte shipped seven goals to Everton and never played in the Premiership again.

its a team game FFS.

**paul_oshea** · 05/03/2011, 5:19 PM

Unless harte was in goals for those 7 goals...

**SkStu** · 05/03/2011, 5:25 PM

im not sure Roy Keane is that mental

(deliberately not italicised)

**Stuttgart88** · 05/03/2011, 10:28 PM

Originally Posted by EastTerracer

To be fair to Harte the 2002 World Cup was probably the most disappointing 4 games he played for Ireland. He was really excellent in that qualifying campaign and expectations were high for him at that time. He was never the best defensively but his threat from set-pieces made him a really valuable part of the team. His confidence was already shot in Japan/Korea before he missed the penalty in that game. It's a bit harsh to single out that game as a judgement of his contribution.

Didn't he play with no feeling in his left foot due to a nerve injury?

Harte is a bit like O'Shea and Gibson. Some people just never took to him and he got criticism well beyond anything merited - the usual people who follow big English clubs first and Ireland second and who just can't get the concept that Irish players aren't usually on a par with the best that money can buy. People forget that he started playing for Ireland before he even played regular club football.

People say he was only ever accomodated in the team because KK did a lot of donkey work ahead of him, but so what? If the sum of the parts is big enough, then that's ok by me. I've very fond memories of Harte in green.

**Fixer82** · 05/03/2011, 10:36 PM

Originally Posted by EastTerracer

To be fair to Harte the 2002 World Cup was probably the most disappointing 4 games he played for Ireland. He was really excellent in that qualifying campaign and expectations were high for him at that time. He was never the best defensively but his threat from set-pieces made him a really valuable part of the team. His confidence was already shot in Japan/Korea before he missed the penalty in that game. It's a bit harsh to single out that game as a judgement of his contribution.

Yeah I really thought Harte suffered from the whole Saipan debacle. His confidence was completely shot by the time the World Cup rolled around. Didn't seem like a happy camper at all

**EastTerracer** · 05/03/2011, 11:25 PM

Just watching the goals on BBC now - Harte got a really good free-kick, a jammy free-kick and had the assist for Long's first goal. The Irish day was completed when Noel Hunt provided the assist for Long's second goal. A good day all round at Reading for the Irish lads.

**Yard of Pace** · 06/03/2011, 3:54 PM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Didn't he play with no feeling in his left foot due to a nerve injury?

Harte is a bit like O'Shea and Gibson. Some people just never took to him and he got criticism well beyond anything merited - the usual people who follow big English clubs first and Ireland second and who just can't get the concept that Irish players aren't usually on a par with the best that money can buy. People forget that he started playing for Ireland before he even played regular club football.

People say he was only ever accomodated in the team because KK did a lot of donkey work ahead of him, but so what? If the sum of the parts is big enough, then that's ok by me. I've very fond memories of Harte in green.

Ah Stutts, I think you're looking through rose tinted glasses here. I loved Harte as much as the next player but he was a catastrophe defensively. His positioning was non existent and he was a constant source of palpitations.

**Stuttgart88** · 06/03/2011, 5:09 PM

He was never a catastrophe - Japan apart. Beaten too easily sometimes, but never a catastrophe. We were a better team with him than without him. Hence my "sum of the parts" remark. He & KK were a good combo on the left even if KK had to cover Harte at times.

**Murfinator** · 09/03/2011, 10:20 AM

Scored his 10th league goal last night and now ranked in the championship top scorers list. Had a look through a Reading forum for a general assessment of his performance, here's some quotes.

Ian Harte has got to be player of the season

One of Harte's strengths defensively, is in the air; its amazing how many teams (like Boro on Saturday) think that the way to get past him is aerial. He rarely, if ever, misses a header.

Assist yesterday, the corner for Mills at Everton, a fabulous secondary assist at Watford, many other assists from his FCs, some exquisite passes to the wings, especially Kebe, one absolute PEACH yesterday

Harte lacks in pace but makes up with it in goals and in reading of the game. That freekick against Everton was inches away from being genius.

The guy is our second-top scorer fer Chrissakes, and we concede LESS when he plays than when he doesn't.

I've been a fierce critic of Ian Harte but yesterday was by far the best game I've seen him play for us. Not only was did his deadball execution (with the exception of one really overhit corner) worthy of his reputation but defensively he looked strong, particularly in the air. He also pushed forward well in support of HRK, passed the ball well - the pass to Long for his first was sublime - and his lack of pace wasn't shown up.

I know he gets knocked for his pace, but he always has. His crosses and set-pieces are what he's based his career on and in my opinion he's been possibly the buy of the season. Great bit of business by McDermott. Williams wasn't cutting it and we brought experience in straight away. We weren't scoring many goals and he also offers goals, and he hasn't let us down in either respect.

**jbyrne** · 09/03/2011, 10:31 AM

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Didn't he play with no feeling in his left foot due to a nerve injury?

yes, he had a foot injury during the wc that required pain killing injections

**SwanVsDalton** · 09/03/2011, 11:14 AM

I don't think it's going to happen, but I'm more and more warming to the idea of a Harte comeback. Fair play to him for the career renaissance. I'd love to see Reading come up this year and see how he cuts it in the Prem. Dare say he'll have it a lot tougher, but would be the crowning achievement to a fine career.

**Yard of Pace** · 09/03/2011, 11:21 AM

Originally Posted by SwanVsDalton

I don't think it's going to happen, but I'm more and more warming to the idea of a Harte comeback. Fair play to him for the career renaissance. I'd love to see Reading come up this year and see how he cuts it in the Prem. Dare say he'll have it a lot tougher, but would be the crowning achievement to a fine career.

Would you really play him ahead of Clark or Kilbane. We don't need him, imo. Delighted to see him doing well all the same.

**pineapple stu** · 09/03/2011, 11:29 AM

So you'd play someone who's older and playing at a lower level ahead of Harte?

**DeLorean** · 09/03/2011, 11:30 AM

Originally Posted by Colbert Report

Because he's crap defensively. Go back and watch the Spain match from the 2002 World Cup. Scary stuff. I remember Roy Keane gave him a chance when he was at Sunderland and Ian Harte shipped seven goals to Everton and never played in the Premiership again.

McShane was at fault for most of those goals if I remember correctly, and he's still getting more than a look in. I'd prefer Harte at left back than Kilbane, but he's possibly not the best option we have.

It's very unfair that he keeps getting that Spain match thrown at him, and even the tournament itself. It's doubtful that we'd have even qualified without him. He was also very consistent with an excellent Leeds side that made a Champions League semi final.

**pineapple stu** · 09/03/2011, 12:14 PM

Worth pointing out that he was our top scorer in that qualifying, in fairness (along with Roy Keane). Though I do remember many a hairy moment when he was defending.

**Murfinator** · 09/03/2011, 12:51 PM

Originally Posted by SwanVsDalton

I don't think it's going to happen, but I'm more and more warming to the idea of a Harte comeback. Fair play to him for the career renaissance. I'd love to see Reading come up this year and see how he cuts it in the Prem. Dare say he'll have it a lot tougher, but would be the crowning achievement to a fine career.

Reminds me a bit of the comebacks Carr and Delap have made in recent years, having a tough time for a few seasons with injuries being a reserve and in lower divisions but to bounce back to the top again.

Would I have him ahead of Kilbane? No doubt, is that a serious question?
Ahead of Clark is debatable although it is a squad and I think Harte is unquestionably our second or third best Left back available at the very worst so should be involved.