Ian Harte

**Karlos** · 03/05/2005, 3:39 PM

Having seen Maybury twice out-paced against China I don't feel he offers us more than Harte in a defensive or attacking situation. I'd include Harte in the squad

**drinkfeckarse** · 03/05/2005, 3:42 PM

Good enough for the squad IMO.

**stojkovic** · 03/05/2005, 4:00 PM

I'd bring him on, like in American Football, just to take free-kicks, penos and corners.

**OwlsFan** · 03/05/2005, 4:12 PM

Originally Posted by Donal81

At a stretch, one could reasonably make a case for his inclusion as cover. I would disagree but the argument is there. However, taking attitude into account and his complete lack of marking, heading or tackling ability, I think that, overall, my answer is no.

That's it in a nutshell.

**Colie** · 03/05/2005, 6:11 PM

Kilbansey is a better left full than Hartey or O'Shea, learned so much about defending when covering for Harte during the WC. It pains me to say this but Harte could be included for a 10 minute spell on the wing at the end I suppose.

**tonycuna** · 03/05/2005, 6:18 PM

Why not? Maybe as a substitute I think he could be an important man from the bench..

Yes, I think that he isn't good @defending, but think about this: what is it the better thing?
Have him as a substitute, and can go on with him in every moment of the match, or haven't him at all?

I choose the first chance

**FarBeag** · 03/05/2005, 9:49 PM

There is no way he can defend particulary for 90 minutes,he would scare the living s*ite out of us everytime the ball came near him.He has no pace and one mistake from him which is always guaranteed would be detrimental.If only we could use him somewhere in the team because you can't question his ability from set pieces.

**brine3** · 03/05/2005, 11:54 PM

I've been suggesting Kilbane should be tried at left back for years. He's no central midfielder, but boy does he mark his man and never give up. And back when Harte was in the team Kilbane was the de facto left back anyway.

**dynamo kerry** · 04/05/2005, 12:28 PM

Originally Posted by stojkovic

I'd bring him on, like in American Football, just to take free-kicks, penos and corners.

oh yeah- bring him in to choke when it really counts.

not good enough.. not a winner. best kept out of it. maybury is not necessarily a better all rounder but his attiutde is superior.

**jimbob117** · 04/05/2005, 3:26 PM

hes aint good enough lads.. if he didnt have an attitude problem id say let him in the squad, but alas he does, so let him be.

**ColinR** · 04/05/2005, 3:36 PM

whats his attitude problem. he thinks he's good enough for the squad - which he is, he has moved to a new country to prove himself, and has done.

his problem (apart from speed and defensive ability (no worse than maybury), is a complete lack of tact - never criticise the manager in the media.

**Closed Account 2** · 05/05/2005, 1:53 AM

I'd give him another go in a friendly (Celtic game would be good) or if were in the Unity Cup.

He has a lot more experience than our other back up players (e.g. Maybury), having played regularly in the top leagues of England and now Spain, and having reached the Semi's of the Champions League and regularly played in the Uefa Cup. Also he is probably the best free kick taker weve ever had and the Israel game showed we are really missing in that department. Maybe Andy Reid will be able to produce from free kicks for us in the future, but he would have to be special to be as good at them as Harte.

The value of having such a good free kick taker would be great, like Mihajilovic his actual ability at defending against pacey players isnt great. Maybe we should try him out as a holding midfielder, as he has an excellent range of passing and we need more experienced midfielders once Roy Keane retires as Kav is old too.

**jimbob117** · 05/05/2005, 10:25 AM

Originally Posted by ColinR

whats his attitude problem. .

His attitude problem was that he said he doesnt know why kerr hasnt picked him but then refused to be a "late call up" for a friendly as he thought he should have been in the original squad. He hasnt been called up since.

And as for saying he is 3 times the player o shea is.. a load of rubbish if ever i heard it. while o'shea's distribution can be poor and very frustrating to watch, he is a top notch defender and defends very well. a lot better than harte, who couldnt defend to save his life. And yes, i do keep an eye on spanish soccer and havent seen a major improvement.

**Stuttgart88** · 05/05/2005, 10:37 AM

Originally Posted by jimbob117

His attitude problem was that he said he doesnt know why kerr hasnt picked him but then refused to be a "late call up" for a friendly as he thought he should have been in the original squad. He hasnt been called up since.

And as for saying he is 3 times the player o shea is.. a load of rubbish if ever i heard it. while o'shea's distribution can be poor and very frustrating to watch, he is a top notch defender and defends very well. a lot better than harte, who couldnt defend to save his life. And yes, i do keep an eye on spanish soccer and havent seen a major improvement.

I don't remember that incident but it sounds about right. Kerr & Harte have obviously fallen out over something & Harte is paying for it. Correct me if I'm wrong, but up until the Czech friendly I think Harte was in nearly every Kerr squad ahead of Maybury.

Your assessment of O'Shea is spot on IMO. Sound defensively, poor distribution. I think his discomfort at left back disrupts the balance & fluidity of the side, which is why I reckon a left flank of Duff LM and Kilbane LB could be a very attractive combo.

Although we may well have better players now one of the most important features of Mick's "success" in WC2002 qualification was the balance of the side. Natural width, natural left footers on the left, right footers on the right, Quinn & Robbie complemented each other well, Keane & Kinsella likewise, and so on.

I don't think the current side is set up as well, even though we've better players in a few positions.

**Donal81** · 05/05/2005, 11:51 AM

Originally Posted by Tuff Paddy

Until we start scoring from free-kicks, putting in threatening corners and generally causing teams problems from set-plays I will continue to call for Ian Harte's return to the squad.
John O'Shea is a very limited footballer indeed, but at least he's playing in a decent league . . . just like Harte.

He causes us as many problems as he does opposing teams!

**Macy** · 05/05/2005, 12:08 PM

Harte isn't good enough. If free kicks were the pre-requisite for a berth over actual football ability, then sod Harte - bring in Stuey Holt.

**Lionel Ritchie** · 05/05/2005, 12:43 PM

he should be in the squad. possibly even the first team if it's possible to accomadate his somewhat overstated defensive shortcomings. We haven't looked a serious threat from a set piece since his omission/ departure /exclusion.

definitely has more pros than cons

**Donal81** · 05/05/2005, 12:46 PM

If his attitude was right, he'd keep his mouth shut and play his way back into the team. But it isn't so he's resorted to having a go in the newspapers. I think the bloke proved over his 50 or so caps that he can't defend that well although his free-kicks are excellent. As a defender, you're first role is to defend. If he can't defend, surely that makes him a bad choice for a defender?

**Shelsman** · 05/05/2005, 1:06 PM

Originally Posted by Donal81

I think the bloke proved over his 50 or so caps that he can't defend that well although his free-kicks are excellent. As a defender, you're first role is to defend. If he can't defend, surely that makes him a bad choice for a defender?

OK then, can you list some games where Harte was the sole cause of an Ireland goal that was conceded? Compare that to the other defenders in the current squad over games played and show us / justify your comments. Even just list 3-5 games where he was the reason why we lost a game or drew when we should've won. I can certainly list the games where he's made a key difference in us getting a better result ( e.g. in the matches he has scored or where the defence kept a clean sheet ).