Irish Player Watch 2012/13

[anon95599269]

@chewy louie

IT is a familiar refrain. In the wake of Ireland’s[/url] [url=“http://searchtopics.independent.ie/topic/Euro_2012”]Euro 2012[/url] difficulties in [url=“http://searchtopics.independent.ie/topic/Poland_national_football_team”]Poland[/url], [url=“http://searchtopics.independent.ie/topic/Giovanni_Trapattoni”]Giovanni Trapattoni made reference to the limitations of his squad. “They don’t all play for their clubs,” he said. “And many of them are in the Championship.”
The 73-year-old generally follows it up by claiming that he is slightly perplexed by the personnel decisions that club managers in England have taken. The inference is that his boys should be doing better in their careers.
However, the alternative side of this debate is that Trapattoni does have a large number of regular top-flight performers at his disposal; he just chooses not to pick them.
With an ageing side sure to undergo some form of transition over the forthcoming World Cup campaign, it’s worth examining the current state of play, with English football clicking back into gear this weekend.
The squad which Trapattoni brings to Serbia tomorrow includes some men who were engaged in the low-key first hurdle of the League Cup over the weekend, a sharp reminder of life outside the top flight.
But with over 30 players in with a genuine shout of figuring for their clubs in the Premier League this term, it could be argued that the Italian has a greater depth of options available than he sometimes lets on.
Trap’s Men In Premier League … Euro Survivors
Shay Given (Aston Villa)
International future remains unclear but likely to be Ireland’s only regular top-flight 'keeper this term.
Richard Dunne (Aston Villa)
On the sidelines for now, but still the best central defender from these shores at this moment in time.
Darron Gibson (Everton)
Miserable time in Poland and untimely injury for Serbia. Has more to offer.
Damien Duff (Fulham)
A senior citizen now, yet he performed better than most in Poland. Still integral at Fulham.
Stephen Kelly (Fulham)
Often cast in the role of understudy for both club and country. Signed contract extension with Londoners.
Jonathan Walters (Stoke)
Figured from the bench in the Euros and will believe he can play a strong part in the next campaign.
Glenn Whelan (Stoke)
Always selected when available by Trap, and is an established figure with his employers.
John O’Shea (Sunderland)
Interrupted preparation didn’t help his Euros experience. Will be a key figure in Kazakhstan.
James McClean (Sunderland)
Itching to be let off the leash by Ireland, although he must also cope with second-season pressure at club level.
Keiren Westwood (Sunderland)
Uncertain standing at the Stadium of Light, with Simon Mignolet in possession of the gloves.
Shane Long (West Brom)
Alan Hutton checked his stride last term; will be hoping to push on under new boss Steve Clarke.
World Cup Trialists
Seamus Coleman (Everton)
Underwhelming season cost him Euros ticket. Time to regroup and recover form of 2010-11
Marc Wilson (Stoke)
Desperately disappointing that he misses this week’s trip due to a viral infection. This was his chance.
Joey O’Brien (West Ham)
In from the cold and has hopefully left his injury woe in the past. No doubting his talent.
James McCarthy (Wigan)
The great white hope. His contribution will be the most interesting aspect of the trip to Belgrade.
Wes Hoolahan (Norwich)
As with Wilson, a huge shame that he is unavailable for Serbia after being extended an overdue invitation.
Rest of Premier League (16)
Ciaran Clark (Aston Villa)
Dunne’s injury could give him game-time at centre-half for Villa – and raise questions of Trapattoni
Stephen Ireland (Aston Villa)
Encouraging signs last term and, if he thrives under Paul Lambert, an inevitable debate will resume.
Samir Carruthers (Aston Villa)
Youngster who saw Premier League action at tail-end of campaign. One for the future.
Shane Duffy (Everton)
Would have been in Serbia this week only for U-21 commitments. Interesting to see how he progresses at Goodison.
Anthony Pilkington (Norwich)
Was set for a first call-up this week only for injury to intervene. A goalscoring midfielder who also offers versatility.
Marc Tierney (Norwich)
Attacking left-back who qualifies for Ireland. Claims less obvious than Wilson – for now.
Brian Murphy (QPR)
Ex-Bohs 'keeper very much in the background with QPR, and Rob Green’s arrival won’t help.
Ian Harte (Reading)
Back in the Premier League after a long absence. No chance of an international recall, however.
Jay Tabb (Reading)
A squad member at the Madejski who is unlikely to feature in too many headlines.
Noel Hunt (Reading)
Raring to go for his Premier League bow. Can give Trapattoni something to think about.
Alex Pearce (Reading)
English-born Scottish U-21 cap who says he wants to play for Ireland. A well-regarded centre-half.
Rory Delap (Stoke)
Still going strong and has proved to be more than just a throw, but not on Trapattoni’s radar.
David Meyler (Sunderland)
Sought after by Championship clubs, but promising messages from Martin O’Neill in pre-season.
Steven Reid (West Brom)
Determined to make a strong contribution at West Brom, but knows his international days are behind him.
Stephen Henderson (West Ham)
The Dubliner is highly rated but will have to wait for a chance to usurp Jussi Jaaskelainen.
Conor Sammon (Wigan)
Racked up plenty of appearances from the bench without getting on the scoresheet in 2011-12. More to do.
trap’s men in the CHAMPIONSHIP (11)
Keith Fahey (Birmingham)
On the sidelines for now – due a turn in fortune.
Keith Andrews (Bolton)
Logic of move will be determined by whether Bolton return at first attempt.
Keith Treacy (Burnley)
Lost his way last season, and recall for Serbia might poke him in the right direction.
Paul McShane (Hull)
Big year for McShane (left) with his contract running down with the Tigers.
Paul Green (Leeds)
Could do better than people expect if Neil Warnock can build another promotion-challenging side.
Sean St Ledger (Leicester)
Disastrously timed knee injury, given that a starting place is far from assured at Leicester.
David Forde (Millwall)
Suffered with his form last season and cannot afford a repeat showing.
SIMON COX (Nottingham Forest)
Dropped down a level to secure regular football after a frustrating couple of seasons at West Brom
Andy Keogh (Millwall)
Finished last season well, and will feel that international recall was justified.
Stephen Hunt (Wolves)
Endured misery at the Euros and his career has reached a crossroads. Major campaign ahead.
Stephen Ward (Wolves)
Linked with a top-flight return, but nothing came to pass. Sure to be under pressure from Wilson for Ireland berth.
Kevin Doyle (Wolves)
Says he is willing to stay with Wolves, yet it still wouldn’t be a surprise if there were enquiries before close of transfer window.
Damien Delaney (Ipswich)
Was on Trapattoni’s Euro 2012 standby list, and a late call for this week. Established Championship performer.
Rest of Championship (34)
Stephen Dawson (Barnsley)
Well-travelled midfielder who joined Barnsley in January.
Colin Doyle (Birmingham)
Restricting to cup competitions last term and has Jack Butland on his tail.
Adam Rooney (Birmingham)
Chris Hughton was a fan, and he’ll be praying that new boss Lee Clark is similarly inclined.
Leon Best (Blackburn)
Out until January after his big-money move from Newcastle. Frustration for all concerned.
Marcos Painter (Brighton)
Left-back whose career failed to really take off after early promise.
Gary Dicker (Brighton)
Ex-UCD midfielder has forged a solid career for himself with the Seagulls.
Greg Cunningham (Bristol City)
After leaving Manchester City, the Galway lad must hope it’s a case of one step back to make two forward.
Chris McCann (Burnley)
Desperately unlucky to be struck down during Burnley’s Premier League adventure. Plenty of potential.
Paddy McCarthy (Crystal Palace)
Part of the furniture at Selhurst Park; Trapattoni evidently not convinced he can offer much.
Owen Garvan (Crystal Palace)
Plenty of ability, but he was probably closer to the Irish squad four years ago than he is now.
Stephen McPhail (Cardiff)
Given his problems with illness, McPhail has overcome adversity that puts international exclusion in the shade.
Joe Mason (Cardiff)
A very capable frontman who is a future senior international at his current rate of progress.
Richard Keogh (Derby)
Defender who made close-season move from Coventry. Useful performer.
Mark O’Brien (Derby)
Youngster who showed promise last term. Next step is to become a regular.
Jeff Hendrick (Derby)
A ball-playing midfielder who was rated far superior to Paul Green by Nigel Clough. Remember the name.
Saul Deeney (Derby)
Another Irish goalkeeper more accustomed to the bench than the pitch.
Sean Scannell (Huddersfield)
U-21 boss Noel King thinks a fresh start away from Crystal Palace could be just what Scannell needed.
Alan Lee (Huddersfield)
Experienced striker who may find opportunities restricted this term.
Jamie Devitt (Hull)
Winger who has mixed first-team cameos with loan spells.
Ronan Murray (Ipswich)
Young striker who will be targeting a move inwards from the periphery.
Aidan White (Leeds)
A left-sided player with ability that has alerted top-flight clubs. Promising.
Paddy Kenny (Leeds)
Reunited with his old pal Warnock, and promotion is the stated aim.
Conrad Logan (Leicester)
Reserve 'keeper at Leicester, and likely to stay that way.
Alan Dunne (Millwall)
Long-serving member of staff at Millwall. Never threatened to go higher.
Andy Reid (Nottingham Forest)
Has looked good in pre-season but then we’ve heard that before. New boss Sean O’Driscoll will determine Reid’s (left) fate.
Daniel Kearns (Peterborough)
Ex-Dundalk winger has bags of ability, but is too often used as an impact sub.
Lee Frecklington (Peterborough)
Called into the Ireland ‘B’ set-up during Steve Staunton’s time. Hasn’t quite pushed on.
Mark Yeates (Watford)
Another ‘B’ international who has moved around the clubs in this division.
Sean Murray (Watford)
They are very excited by Murray at Watford, and if Gianfranco Zola buys into it, then his star could rise.
Kevin Foley (Wolves)
Taking a break from international football after the manner in which he was treated in Poland.
Matt Doherty (Wolves)
Confident defender who earned mixed reviews on loan stint with Hibernian. Has to impress new gaffer Stale Solbakken.
Anthony Forde (Wolves)
The Limerick midfielder is in same category as Doherty – a young player that Mick McCarthy liked who must win over Solbakken.
Aaron McCarey (Wolves)
Young Monaghan 'keeper who is pushing for contention. Was on bench at weekend.
Foreign Legion
Robbie Keane (LA Galaxy)
After a bad June in Poland, he had a good July in Los Angeles. Unclear where he’ll be in September.
Aiden McGeady (Spartak Moscow)
Euro 2012 didn’t put him in the shop window; hinted he may be willing to move.
Darren O’Dea (Toronto FC)
Search for a club took him to Canada and the MLS. A curious departure for the 25-year-old.
Loan Stars
Robert Brady (Manchester United)
Involved in Alex Ferguson’s pre-season at left-back, but all indications are that a temporary stay elsewhere is next step.
Conor Henderson (Arsenal)
Midfielder has recovered from knee injury, and Liam Brady has suggested that a loan stint is essential.
Conor Clifford (Portsmouth - loan)
Former FA Youth Cup winning captain is at Pompey until Christmas. Future at parent club Chelsea looks bleak.
John Egan (Sunderland)
The centre-half would benefit from gaining some experience at Championship level.

ronan finn is better than the majority of players there

[mickee321]

@The All Seeing Eye

ronan finn is better than the majority of players there

+1
yer man Kearns wasnt good enough to make it at Dundalk and now apparently is an “impact” sub for Peterborough in the holy grail that is the Championship…

Darren O’ Dea :lol: .
There are better defenders in the Munster Senior League

[KIB_man]

harsh but fair assessment from the Indo that the standard of SPL is lower than the second tier of English football and the MSL

Joey O’Brien talented? Will be a squad player for a poor West Ham side this season.

If Henderson is any use he will surely get a chance at no.1 at upton park. Jussi J is finished.

From that list there is more than O’Dea stealing a living as a professional in the game. good luck to them I guess but its high time to get in the nordies and play a 32 county side under the IFA banner

Enda Stevens has played a few friendlies for Villa this summer including at Bremen at the weekend. Feedback is mixed thus far but Warnock has joined Alan Hutton on the immediate transfer list by Paul Lambert. Positive for him.

Clark not being in the squad is farcical

[ClarkeyCat]

Mickee, you’re mad as a bag of spiders. Kearns was excellent at Dundalk which secured him the move to England.

[anon95599269]

@KIB man

harsh but fair assessment from the Indo that the standard of SPL is lower than the second tier of English football and the MSL

Joey O’Brien talented? Will be a squad player for a poor West Ham side this season.

If Henderson is any use he will surely get a chance at no.1 at upton park. Jussi J is finished.

From that list there is more than O’Dea stealing a living as a professional in the game. good luck to them I guess but its high time to get in the nordies and play a 32 county side under the IFA banner

Enda Stevens has played a few friendlies for Villa this summer including at Bremen at the weekend. Feedback is mixed thus far but Warnock has joined Alan Hutton on the immediate transfer list by Paul Lambert. Positive for him.

Clark not being in the squad is farcical

stevens is meant to be going on loan- decent enough villa player but was never srfc class

[KIB_man]

@The All Seeing Eye

stevens is meant to be going on loan- decent enough villa player but was never srfc class

he hasnt played a competitive minute for villa yet mate :shakefist:

[Kid_Curry]

Liam Lawrence off to PAOK in Greece. Doubt we’ll see him in an Irish shirt again.

[mickee321]

@Kid Curry

Liam Lawrence off to PAOK in Greece. Doubt we’ll see him in an Irish shirt again.

PAOK aren’t a bad side, at least he will get to play UEFA cup and the Greek Superleague is at a higher standard than the dregs of the Championship that he is used to, Roy Carroll also plays in Greece for Olympiacos, well “plays” may be an exaggeration, he is sub keeper

[mickee321]

If you aren’t at the Rovers game or are bored Forest are playing some crowd called Fleetwood Town in a pre season cup game tonight
link http://www.coolsport.tv/stream4.php
Andy Reid is playong on the left side of midfield and looks lively, and fit
Forest seem toothless, giving the ball away easy and have no shape at all, its a bit like a LOI first division game, Simon Cox has found his true calling but its sad to see the former European Champions in such a state

[myboyblue]

@mickee321

Andy Reid is playong on the left side of midfield and looks lively, and fit

Really?

[mickee321]

Great ball in from the left by Andy Reid and the utterly atrocious Dexter Blackstock bundles the ball home to put Forest one up, Blackstock reminds me of Jason Lee who played for Forest back in the 90’s…
Andy Reid

[Thrawneen]

I saw an interview with Andy when O’Driscoll was appointed as manager and thought he looked very fit alright, and that was pre-season. With Hoolahan and Pilkington being called up (though both had to decline) is it possible we might see Reid again? Still only 30…

[Kid_Curry]

Padraig Amond’s Portuguese spell is over. He has signed for Accy Stanley for the new season.

[KIB_man]

@Thrawneen

I saw an interview with Andy when O’Driscoll was appointed as manager and thought he looked very fit alright, and that was pre-season. With Hoolahan and Pilkington being called up (though both had to decline) is it possible we might see Reid again? Still only 30…

Not under Trap but Id have Reidy back in a heartbeat. O’Driscoll is a good appointment at Forest and its suggested senior players like Reid were very influential in getting him the gig. Big first half of the season ahead for Reid…upon which he will get injured and put on three stone

[anon95599269]

@KIB man

Not under Trap but Id have Reidy back in a heartbeat. O’Driscoll is a good appointment at Forest and its suggested senior players like Reid were very influential in getting him the gig. Big first half of the season ahead for Reid…upon which he will get injured and put on three stone

@KIB man

Not under Trap but Id have Reidy back in a heartbeat. O’Driscoll is a good appointment at Forest and its suggested senior players like Reid were very influential in getting him the gig. Big first half of the season ahead for Reid…upon which he will get injured and put on three stone

reidy???

wtf

[mickee321]

@mickee321

Paul Corry got the winner for UCD against Shels last night, Philly Hughes scored for Shelbourne

another LOI callup

http://www.extratime.ie/newsdesk/articles/8705/ucds-paul-corry-called-up-to-ireland-u21/

UCD’s Paul Corry called up to Ireland U21 squad

Republic of Ireland U21’s will be without Aston Villa midfielder Samir Carruthers for their important European Championships Qualifier tonight at the Sligo Showgrounds.

Carruthers joins several other players, including Gavin Gunning, Aaron Doran, Rhys Murphy and Jeff Hendrick, on the injured list, while Watford striker Sean Murray has been excused due to a family bereavement.

Two players that are included are Manchester United winger Robbie Brady, and Everton’s Shane Duffy, whom senior manager Giovanni Trapattoni had hoped to include in his friendly squad against Serbia. However, U21 boss Noel King was adamant that he wanted to hold on to the two players for this crucial clash.

He said "[Trapattoni] wanted to take Robbie [Brady] and Shane Duffy to Serbia but understood the importance of this game and left them with us.

“We had a chat about it and, rather than probably having them on the bench in Serbia, it was better that they be here to help us win this game and move closer to qualification.”

Brady had made his first team debut for Manchester United during their recent pre-season tour, having impressed on loan at Hull City last season, while Duffy has been on the fringes of the Everton first team, whilst also gaining experience from going on loan to Scunthorpe United.

One player that has been called up is UCD centre-midfielder Paul Corry. Corry is the only League of Ireland based player to have been selected.

Speaking on his call-up, Corry expressed his delight and surprise to have been given the nod.

"It was a bit of surprise to be told by Martin on the side of the training pitch. Hopefully if I get a chance to play, I’ll do well.

“It’s good to get a bit of recognition for some good performances recently. One of my targets at the start of the season was to get myself back around the fringes of the international squad and hopefully I can push on from here.”

Ipswich striker Ronan Murray has also been called up to the squad.

Kick-off is at 7.45 in the Sligo Showgrounds. Extratime.ie will be providing full Live Updates.

Squad: Ian McLoughlin (MK Dons), Aaron McCarey (Wolves), John Egan (Sunderland), Greg Cunningham (Bristol City), Rob Kiernan (Wigan), Shane Duffy (Everton), Niall Canavan (Scunthorpe), Adam Barton (Coventry City), Conor Henderson (Arsenal), Richie Towell (Unattached), Conor Clifford (Chelsea), Paul Corry (UCD), Eunan O’Kane (Bournemouth), Robbie Brady (Manchester United), Aidan White (Leeds), Sean Scannell (Huddersfield), Ronan Murray (Ipswich Town), James Collins (Swindon).

[Thrawneen]

Anyone see that absolute cracker Corry scored recently? Sidefoot from about 25 yards into the top corner. A peach of a goal.

[Big_Dan_Campbell]

Anthony Forde started for Wolves against Leeds earlier today but was subbed at h/t.

Plenty of Irish involved, Paul Green was also subbed at h/t. Paddy Kenny, Aidy White, David Norris, Stephen Ward & Kevin Doyle all started

[KIB_man]

I’ll be scouting Ciaran Clark today. Will also provide a report on former internationals Shay Given and Stephen Ireland if there is sufficient interest

Cracking rendition of I’m blowing bubbles at the Boleyn Ground for kick off. Villa’second shirt is rank. luminous green

[Rudi]

@chewy louie

Anthony Forde started for Wolves against Leeds earlier today but was subbed at h/t.

Plenty of Irish involved, Paul Green was also subbed at h/t. Paddy Kenny, Aidy White, David Norris, Stephen Ward & Kevin Doyle all started

I thought White left Leeds.