Irish Abroad 2008/2009

**tetsujin1979** · 09/12/2008, 11:01 AM

football365's top 10 players in the Championship: http://www.football365.com/story/0,1...611534,00.html

4) Stephen Hunt (Reading)
An unpleasant character he may be, and owner of a remarkably silly hat, but by golly he can play. The Championship is clogged with players you might describe as 'honest' (i.e. they work hard, but have somewhat limited ability), so it is little surprise that Hunt - a man who can play as well as run - stands out. His five goals only tell half the story, and it's his and Jimmy Kebe's contributions from wide that have proved crucial to Reading's strong first half of the season.

2) Kevin Doyle (Reading)
Will always be regarded as a terrific bargain, but that in some ways denigrates what an exceptional player Doyle is. Despite a slightly underwhelming season last year in the Premier League, Doyle is top scorer in the Championship, bagging 15 goals (including two hat-tricks) and lining up plenty more for Hunts Noel and Stephen. If Reading are to bounce straight back to the top flight, it will largely be down to Doyle's goals.

...And five youngsters to watch out for
Sean Scannell (Crystal Palace)

**tetsujin1979** · 09/12/2008, 3:49 PM

Irish Abroad for Saturday, 6th December 2008: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroa...ate=2008-12-06
Robbie Keane was an unused substitute for the third time this season
Stephen Ireland picked up his fifth booking of the season, and his fourth in six games
Andy Reid completed 90 minutes for Sunderland for the first time in more than two months
Glen Whelan played his first minutes of Premiership football in almost a month
Clinton Morrison scored his seventh goal of the season
Paddy McCarthy scored his second of the season, absolute cracker as well
Jon Daly scored his eighth of the season, and third in two games

Irish Abroad for Sunday, 7th December 2008: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroa...ate=2008-12-07
Marc Wilson made his first appearance in a matchday XVIII for Portsmouth in the Premiership as an unused substitute
Trapattoni was in attandance for the Norwich - Ipswich game, which is joint top for the number of starting Irish players in a game this season with seven
Alan O'Brien started his first game since the 23rd August, but has still to complete 90 minutes this season.
Aiden McGeady played his first minutes of football since the 2nd November

Irish Abroad for Sunday, 8th December 2008: http://www.chatsoccer.net/irishabroa...Details.xquery
Sean Scannell has not lost a home game he has started for Crystal Palace, but overall Palace are more likely to win if he starts than normal. Palace have won 41% of their games, Scannell has won 55% of his starts
Also, Palace are less likely to lose if Scannell or Paddy McCarthy start. Overall, Palace have lost 33% of their games this season, Scannell has lost 22% of the games he started, McCarthy has lost 26% of his starts

**bohsRap** · 09/12/2008, 7:15 PM

Originally Posted by Wexford Delboy

garvan was well below par today distribution wasnt upto his usual high standard...on the other had hoolahan really impressed with his movement and linkup with lita

No I didn't think so, but granted I only watched the first half. He surprised me with his tackling and had some nice touches. Didn't give much ball away.

**Paddy Garcia** · 09/12/2008, 9:21 PM

Originally Posted by bwagner

Lads that Kelly lad i mentioned on here a while ago and informed the Fai was on the bench last night for Liverpool...he is a defender , 6"4

Came on tonight - hey well done for prompting the FAI.

**drummerboy** · 10/12/2008, 8:13 AM

Have to say I've watched Owen Garvan quite a few times before and his performance at the weekend was well below his usual performances.

**bwagner** · 10/12/2008, 8:31 AM

Originally Posted by Paddy Garcia

Came on tonight - hey well done for prompting the FAI.

Your welcome Paddy :P but we need Brady to get his bald ass up there and talk to the kid no fecking crap like Kyle Naughton ...@ahh yea talks are going well with the lad and its looking good" lol same week he then played for England under 21s

**drummerboy** · 10/12/2008, 10:15 AM

Eddie Nolan made his debut for Preston, as a first half substitute in their victory over Doncaster last night. He's on loan from Blackburn.

**tetsujin1979** · 10/12/2008, 11:06 AM

Originally Posted by drummerboy

Eddie Nolan made his debut for Preston, as a first half substitute in their victory over Doncaster last night. He's on loan from Blackburn.

He's been there since early October, and only makes his debut now

According to this - http://www.setanta.com/uk/Articles/F...on/gnid-19385/ - the loan move is for three months, with a view to a permanent deal in January

**the doc** · 10/12/2008, 7:35 PM

Originally Posted by tetsujin1979

He's been there since early October, and only makes his debut now

According to this - http://www.setanta.com/uk/Articles/F...on/gnid-19385/ - the loan move is for three months, with a view to a permanent deal in January

Did well last night, but has been unable to break into the side, due to the outstanding form of the North West Player of the Year, St Ledger.

Yet despite this Nolan has been called into recent Ireland squads including the recent "B" International!

**DmanDmythDledge** · 10/12/2008, 7:44 PM

Originally Posted by the doc

Did well last night, but has been unable to break into the side, due to the outstanding form of the North West Player of the Year, St Ledger.

Is Nolan not a RB and Ledger CB? Don't see how he is keeping him out of the team...

**eirebhoy** · 10/12/2008, 7:49 PM

Originally Posted by the doc

Did well last night, but has been unable to break into the side, due to the outstanding form of the North West Player of the Year, St Ledger.

Any excuse to promote Ledger.

**SaucyJack** · 10/12/2008, 7:53 PM

Graham Gartland for Rangers? don't see it happening, but it could be interesting.
http://www.eleven-a-side.com/acrosst...ws.asp?n=35238

**Paddy Garcia** · 10/12/2008, 10:09 PM

Originally Posted by SaucyJack

Graham Gartland for Rangers? don't see it happening, but it could be interesting.
http://www.eleven-a-side.com/acrosst...ws.asp?n=35238

Hey - why not - nothing wrong with living in Shepherds Bush!

**tetsujin1979** · 11/12/2008, 2:14 AM

Originally Posted by the doc

Did well last night, but has been unable to break into the side, due to the outstanding form of the North West Player of the Year, St Ledger.

Yet despite this Nolan has been called into recent Ireland squads including the recent "B" International!

What about the other centre half at Preston? Is he playing well enough since October to deny Nolan even a substitute appearance?

**livehead1** · 11/12/2008, 10:05 AM

Originally Posted by co. down green

Another 2 goals from Noel Hunt as Reading came from behind to beat Coventry 3-1.

Brady and Tardelli were at the game tonight and had plenty of Irish players to look at.

Kevin Doyle,Stephen Hunt, Noel Hunt & Shane Long for Reading

Kieran Westwood,Jay Tabb, Clinton Morrison, Michael Doyle & Leon Best for Coventry.

I was talking to Leon last week and asked him the story with the Irish underage setup. He said that he was dropped from a squad without any explanation whatsoever and it was quite a while ago. He also went on to say that nobody have contacted him since regarding a call up to any future squad or that he was still in their plans. Shame really as he has just turned 22 and could still have a bright future in the game.