I agree on Stokes; he lacks speed all right but has a very good technique and a really pure strike of a ball. He gets some lovely crisp strikes from the edge of the box.
One nil defeat for Ireland U-21s in Switzerland tonight. Fabian Frei (donât think heâs a relation of Alexander) got the winner.
[left]
Londoner Murphy happy to answer Irelandâs call
By John Fallon
Thursday, September 01, 2011
MANY English-born strikers aspire to emulate Danny Welbeck but Londoner Rhys Murphy wants to make it to the top in an Irish shirt.
The Arsenal frontman could make his first appearance for the Ireland U21s in tonightâs European Championship qualification opener against Hungary. After jumping ship from the Irish set-up with just one U16 cap to his name, Murphy became the strike partner of Manchester Unitedâs Welbeck with England, including two years ago when they reached the U19 European Championship final.
Their paths went different directions; Welbeck gaining Premier League experience at Sunderland before making the breakthrough at Old Trafford this term while Murphy is at a loose end.
Arsenal are open to allowing him depart before his contract ends next year, with Middlesbrough and SPL champions Rangers taking initial notice without tabling any offers as yet. Itâs not just his club career which has changed lane. Murphy made a surprise decision to defect from England back to Ireland earlier this year upon learning of interest from U21 boss Noel King.
His international status hasnât altered the priority of following Welbeck towards Premier League stardom.
He said: âDanny has done really well for himself. I saw him on TV scoring goals this season and Iâm very pleased for him. I played up front with him a few times, but it depended on the formation that we played as I was played out wide sometimes.
âHe has come on in the last few months. Last season, he did well on loan at Sunderland and is now is proving himself at Manchester United. Whenever you play international football you are in the shop window and you get a chance to catch peopleâs eye.
âIt is a great opportunity to show what you can do on a bigger stage.â
Murphyâs Irish connection stems from his late grandfather, who was born in Dublin, and the forward is a rare species in the modern game for shunning the attentions of England.
He said: âIt was a big decision to switch back to Ireland but I feel that I made the right one. Obviously, when I played for Ireland I was a young lad and got to see how they work. A few of the coaches and lads have changed, but I enjoyed my time there â everyone is friendly and very serious about their football.
âIâve still got some family over here in Ireland and they are pleased that Iâve come back. Theyâll be in Sligo where hopefully I get to play some part against Hungary.â
King has replaced injured Crystal Palace striker Sean Scannell in his squad with Conor Hourihane of Plymouth. Following tonightâs game, the Irish travel to Izmir on Saturday ahead of the second instalment in the double-header against Turkey on Tuesday.
REPUBLIC OF IRELAND (probable): McLoughlin (MK Dons); Connolly (Bolton Wanderers), Duffy (Everton), Kiernan (Wigan Athletic) â capt, Gunning (Dundee United); Towell (Hibernian), Clifford (Chelsea), McCarthy (Wigan Athletic); Brady (Manchester United), Collins (Shrewsbury), White (Leeds United).
Read more: http://examiner.ie/sport/soccer/londoner-murphy-happy-to-answer-irelands-call-166075.html#ixzz1WgUNIWGt[/left][/left]
Itâs not a bad squad we have there but not sure about the strikers. Anyone able to shed some light on Collins and White?
White is more of a left back/left sided midfield player. Was thinking that it might be 4-3-3 or 4-5-1 with him on the left and Brady on the right but isnât Towell a wide player as well?
Towell has played right sided midfield but heâs more a central player so that makes sense.
Is it the lad Aidan White or a different White? He has played left back for Leeds this season - was sent off for a professional foul against Ipswich last week.
Think thatâs him alright.
Just looking up Aidan White there - lufc website has him as English and played for English U19s
http://www.leedsunited.com/page/PlayerProfiles/0,10273~44531,00.html
Although when you see the weight they have against him youâd wonder how accurate the whole piece really is.
He only recently declared for Ireland, about 6 weeks or so ago
good to see clifford in the squad[/left]
Thatâd make sense alright.
Remember Messiloney from here had a horn over White because he was a graduate from the Brazilian style samba soccer coaching schools?
Is there likely to be a stream knocking about for this tonight?
Iâd have thought itâs reasonably likely Totti. Unfortunately due to TFK AFC committments I may not be in a position to help.
I think http://www.sportz-for-free.org/channel2.html should have it but itâs early days.
Rte, fai none of the cunts have an update from thisâŚ
Ireland won 2-1
Robbie Brady and Rhys Murphy with the goals
Robbie Brady is a class act. Rhys Murphy has a lot of growing up to do.
Why and because???
Twitter is the place to follow these games for updates. [twitter]markmccadden[/twitter] is worth following.