Ian Harte

[Donal81]

If his attitude wasn't so questionable, he'd deserve a place in the squad as cover. Combined with his defensive failings, I don't think he's missed. Our free-kicks against Israel were absolutely appaling and that has to be worked on but I don't think Ian Harte is the solution to this team's problems.

[Stuttgart88]

Apart from direct free kicks on goal, you'd expect Duff and then Kav & Reid to deliver quality corners and wide frees.

How many goals has Duff set up for Terry & co this season? I was only at one Chelsea game this season, against CSKA Moscow, & I think both Chelsea's goals were headed in from Duff set-pieces. Certainly the second one was. So we shouldn't have to rely on Harte for his set-piece skills.

The delivery against Israel was crap, but then again when you've no natural offensive headers of the ball you can whip in all the best frees in the world and you'll get a poor return.

But we scored from frees/corners against Bulgaria, Portugal & Cyprus recently. Any others?

[Stuttgart88]

He didn't make the squads for Kerr's first 2 qualifiers. He could have been injured though as Jeff Kenna was on the bench for the 2 games. He was in all the other squads though. He then got injured and missed the 4 summer friendlies. Kerr didn't call him up to the Bulgaria friendly to give him time to settle in Spain iirc. Maybe there was a rift.

Thanks, not the comprehensive endorsement of my theory that I'm looking for though! Maybe he just lost possession of his place & moaned too much. I still think there must be more to it though so we can debate the merits of his inclusion until the cows come home, he ain't gonna get picked.

[Shelsman]

If it's unfair to judge a player on something that happened in 1997, why didn't you give me a timescale? If Harte scored from that period, I'm sure you wouldn't have a problem including that. I'm talking about Harte's career for Ireland, during which I don't think he's been great.

Fair enough.

[Dotsy]

Looks like Harte has been called up to the squad for the Israel/Faroes games. He must of made up with Kerr.

[Donal81]

I haven't missed him and his attitude has been questionable. Fair play to him for getting back in and let's hope he's not as brutal as he was when Kerr left him out.

[gustavo]

according to gerry mcdermott in todays irish independent harte plays for levante in the Spanish Serie A.

[Slash/ED]

Funnily enough hasn't he just been dropped by Levante? Strange timing that, I thought he'd been dropped for the past few games after poor performances.

[blobbyblob]

Funnily enough hasn't he just been dropped by Levante? Strange timing that, I thought he'd been dropped for the past few games after poor performances.

correct - no show for the barcelona game. thought their two full backs did very well against barca

[soylent green]

With 4 going down (?) in La Liga Levante will have to win their last 2 games to have any chance of staying up.

[Closed Account 2]

I think 3 go down, two of which are already confirmed, so the last one is between Mallorca and Levante. Mallorca currently occupy the last relegation place and are 1 point behind Levante. Goal difference doesnt count in Spain (head to head record does, and Levante have the better one), so they are in the slightly stronger position, but I dont know what each team's run in is like.

[soylent green]

Nice one. Hopefully they can stay up so.

[Colie]

So does this mean an end to all the 'Bring Back Harte' threads on here? I'll miss them.

They always ended up as "Hartey is the worst full back we've ever had" threads.

[Donal81]

They always ended up as "Hartey is the worst full back we've ever had" threads.

Keep an eye out for those threads in a few months!!

I have a feeling that those who called for his return will be screaming for his early retirement

[Poor Student]

Does anyone remember the rumours linking him with Inter several years back?

Has anyone actually been following his progress in Spain? Is there any chance he has broadened his game there? I had always hoped he would move to Serie A (or rather somehow some scout would con a club into buying him) and he may improve his defensive game in the most defensive of leagues. On the other hand I think the defence in La Liga is not even as good as the Premiership let alone Serie A so I am not sure this move would be any particular benefit to his game. Has he fallen out of the team on form?

[Dublin12]

Hartey is snailman,no pace at all,too slow for international football,reached his peak about 5 years ago,the only thing going for him is he's good at deadball situations,except for penalties

[northerncelt]

glad hartey is back on squad. although i would prefer 2 see him on bench cos i dont think his confidence can be very high especially as he may be overly keen to prove himself to kerr. lets hope he doesnt read this forum or his confidence will be at all time low!!!!!
has he lost his place in spain??? if he has then this really is a strange call up given the fact that he couldnt get one whilst he was playing regularly but he def merits a squad place.
sorry to the doc but he should not b there if he cant get on norwich bench. full stop.
the real problems are upfront as usual. Hope clint makes a move in summer. think that sunderland wud be a good move for him as he would play regularly there and has potential to score regularly.

[eirebhoy]

has he lost his place in spain??? if he has then this really is a strange call up given the fact that he couldnt get one whilst he was playing regularly but he def merits a squad place.

No, he was injured for the Barca afaik. Put it this way, he has started every game he was available for. He went off after an hour in the previous match and didn't even make the bench for the Barca game (they have 7 subs in Spain afaik). That to me suggests he's injured.

[NeilMcD]

Anyone I know from Drogheda says that Harte is sound a real genuine guy and that his uncle Kelly is a ****** but I never met either of them. But at the end of the day football is all about ability on the field when picking a team, but maybe not when picking a squad.

[sligoman]

Ian Harte has been recalled to the Irish squad for the first time in more than a year for the forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against Israel and the Faroe Islands.

Harte has spent the past season in the Spanish Primera Liga with Valencia side Levante UD.

However, his departure from England, where he left Leeds United last summer, coincided with his fall from grace in Irish international terms.

The Drogheda native, whose last senior appearance came in a 0-0 draw in Poland in April 2004, withdrew from last summer’s friendly programme through injury and has until now been unable to regain his place in Brian Kerr’s plans.

But the 27-year-old is back in the fold for the qualifiers against Israel in Dublin on Saturday fortnight and the Faroes in Torshavn four days later.

Gary Breen is included in the squad despite concerns over his fitness after picking up a knee injury on the final day of the season, while there is a return to the panel of Steven Reid, who impressed for Blackburn Rovers in the second half of the Premiership season.

With the Spanish season not yet finished and Liverpool taking part in the Champions League final against AC Milan in Istanbul next Wednesday, Harte and Steve Finnan will be allowed to join up late with the Irish squad.

The remainder of the party, however, will assemble in Dublin on Tuesday and Wednesday next, to prepare for the Jackie McNamara testimonial against a Celtic XI at Parkhead on Saturday May 29th.

http://www.eleven-a-side.com/worldcu...p?newsid=17380