Ian Harte

Originally Posted by NeilMcD

Its the tempest by Shakespeare.

Shakespeare was pants.

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

I wonder if Stan's opinion of him was permanently formed having witnessed his performances from close proximity in WC02.

For Germany's goal, you can clearly see Staunton ordering Harte to watch Klose, while he went out close down Ballack (might not have been Ballack) but Harte left him go, and Klose scored.

Originally Posted by geysir

Wasn't there a season in the EPL when they were all fawning over Beckham and his free kick goal count, meanwhile Harte matched him all the way.

Remember when Beckham scored "that" goal against Greece, from about his eighth attempt of the day from the same position? 30 mins later Harte stepped up and did the same against Cyprus in the first minute! He scored with his first attempt against Israel too I think.

Zidane's pressure kick against England was the best of all IMHO. The first dead ball he'd taken in a year. Perfect.

Ireland's set pieces have been atrocious since Kerr took over, Kavanagh being a major culprit.

Andy Reid can take a decent free kick so we're not entirely lacking. I believe McGeady is handy enough though I think Naka takes all the plaudits at CP.

Originally Posted by youngirish

Shakespeare was pants.

Tuffpaddy has told us not to use UK slang words........so do you mean Shakespeare wore pants!

Originally Posted by youngirish

Shakespeare was pants.

I'd love to have written just that and literally nothing else on the English Paper in the Leaving Cert.

"Shakespeare was pants". I rest my case.

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Remember when Beckham scored "that" goal against Greece, from about his eighth attempt of the day from the same position? 30 mins later Harte stepped up and did the same against Cyprus in the first minute! He scored with his first attempt against Israel too I think.

Ireland's set pieces have been atrocious since Kerr took over, Kavanagh being a major culprit.

.

You're not wrong about Kavanagh-he was atrocious for us in the Kerr reign-balooned more free kicks and passes out of play than any other player i can think of recently

Originally Posted by Stuttgart88

Harte was derided by many from the moment he first played for Ireland, a little known teenager played at CB by Mick. Given the circumstances I think he did OK early on. There are always players that get a disproportionate amount of criticism and Harte is one of those. We have no divine right to a quality left back.

He was a decent enough left back in his "prime" in 2001/2, but the reality was that Kevin Kilbane provided a lot of defensive cover for him. They worked well as a unit though, each dovetailing & covering for the other.

Of course one can't underestimate the importance of Keane in that team's "success" but equally I don't think you can underestimate the importance of balance in a team. I think that team was the best-balanced team we've ever put out, the absolute classic 4-4-2. A right footed right back who could get forward, a left footed left back who could get forward, an aggressive centre back and a ball playing centre back, an energetic left midfielder, a classic central midfield pairing, a good wide midfielder and a classic forward pairing. Duff playing out of position was probably the only "square peg".

Harte was an important part of this balanced unit, and his dead ball delivery was also something that made the team greater than the sum of its parts.

He was probably the only player who performed well against Switzerland at home.

I wonder if Stan's opinion of him was permanently formed having witnessed his performances from close proximity in WC02.

I'm not fussed about Harte anymore. I think we've better players, but I do wish a natural left footer would come along & make the psition his own.

Good to see you are still on here making your informed, balanced and well thought out posts. A very fair assesment of Harte's career with Ireland.

There's a generally reliable poster on a sunderland message board that rekons Harte is in Sunderland for talks..... Dunno how true it is so don't hold me to it.

Harte trained with Sunderland today.

Originally Posted by dr_peepee

Harte trained with Sunderland today.

What's the diagnosis Dr?

Originally Posted by Wolfie

What's the diagnosis Dr?

yep, looks like Sunderland will sign him in the next couple of days to, erm, sort out their defensive frailties.

Andrew Cole passed medical today. The Man Utd retirement home that is Sunderland has got another member.

Is this man's career over? He played full 90 minutes for Sunderland reserves the other day, any chance he is in Keanes plans. We still don't have a left full....

Originally Posted by danonion

Is this man's career over? He played full 90 minutes for Sunderland reserves the other day, any chance he is in Keanes plans. We still don't have a left full....

If any team is looking for a full back with no pace, I am sure he'll be looked at.

Ian Hartes a gonner

A player that relies on confidence immensely.

Originally Posted by eirebhoy

A player that relies on confidence immensely.

Yes, very talented but very easily "down" as displayed in 2002 where his confidence was at an all time low. Looks like he'll never achieve to his ability.

Not sure if there are problems with commitment and/or fitness but his tracking back after going forward was dreadful a lot of the time both at club and country level.

Always thought that he needed a strict disciplinarian for a
coach but who knows if that is correct? Can't judge these things from the "outside"

Originally Posted by danonion

Is this man's career over? He played full 90 minutes for Sunderland reserves the other day, any chance he is in Keanes plans. We still don't have a left full....

He is not in Keane's palns, during the transfer window he was told along with Cole & Kavanagh among others that they were free to look for new clubs. I wouldn't say his career is over but his EPL career certainly is. Maybe SPL or France...

What i make is that it is not controversial whatsoever and that there was no need to start this thread

There must be some prize that we don't know about, going to the poster who starts the most threads before May.

He's not even playing for his club, and is probably on the Transfer List with the rest of the Sunderland rejects. Not in any way controversial.