Trapattoni to stick with tried and trusted

steelcityblues

the realpigiron wrote: »

He's a better player now. Lennon, who is an excellent manager, is getting the best out of him.

Maybe, but my point stands he is playing in a league that had no representative in the last 32 of the Champions League, so it is of weaker quality.

Hard to tell if Lennon is an excellent manager, when the only domestic threat comes from the blue side of Glasgow.

ctrl-alt-delete

steelcityblues wrote: »

You don't think the fact that he couldn't establish himself at both Arsenal and Sunderland, suggests he is an average player at best?

He couldn't establish himself at Arsenal, but Sunderland was a different kettle of fish, he was mainly used as a winger when Keane played him.

I'm glad he is doing well for Celtic, but he won't make it to this tournament, I see no reason why he can't be in contention for a place in the squad after it though, once he keeps playing well he will be hard to ignore - but it will also depend on the relationship with Trap, it could be beyond repair.

steelcityblues

ctrl-alt-delete wrote: »

He couldn't establish himself at Arsenal, but Sunderland was a different kettle of fish, he was mainly used as a winger when Keane played him.

I'm glad he is doing well for Celtic, but he won't make it to this tournament, I see no reason why he can't be in contention for a place in the squad after it though, once he keeps playing well he will be hard to ignore - but it will also depend on the relationship with Trap, it could be beyond repair.

Don't mind him getting another chance in a friendly, that's what they are for. But the partisan Celtic fans who think he is on the same level as solid EPL performers like Walters and Long are showing their bias.

the realpigiron

steelcityblues wrote: »

Maybe, but my point stands he is playing in a league that had no representative in the last 32 of the Champions League, so it is of weaker quality.

Hard to tell if Lennon is an excellent manager, when the only domestic threat comes from the blue side of Glasgow.

Your point doesn't stand up. You are making the lazy assumption that just because the SPL is generally poor quality in relation to the EPL, then anyone who stars in it is not to be rated. There are excellent players playing in the SPL, a good international manager will spot them and pick them regardless of lazy-minded assumptions.

As I said, Trap has deemed Stokes to be good enough for the squad. He has dropped him because Stokes pissed him off last summer. That is the only reason why Stokes is not in the squad.

Despite the lower quality in the SPL, there is pressure playing at a big club like Celtic that does not exist at mid ranking EPL sides who never win anything. Stokes might get back in if there are injuries to other players.

Pro. F

Father Damo wrote: »

From memory I would certainly say Kerr played a more attacking, entertaining and attractive game than Trap ever has, and with a better squad than we currently have. Yet Traps game is working.

Well then your memory about the style of football is wrong. There was nothing attacking about Kerr's style.

You are correct that Kerr had better players to choose from. So the passing was better.

Father Damo wrote: »

Don Givens.

/thread

Cool. I've never known a manager, except Don Givens, to have so many problems with so many players.

doomed wrote: »

Two campaigns, two playoffs, one qualification and one out and out robbery.

The fact that Trap gets credit for the performance in the WC playoff is ridiculous. He should be criticised for what happened in that playoff. The second leg performance came about when his system was abandoned and the team showed that they actually could do something with the ball. That game proved that Trap's original and standard approach in the first leg had been wrong.

gosplan wrote: »

Put simply, Ireland just can't be better at football than anyone in their group, regardless of who we select.

That, of itself, is not a justification for not selecting our best players.

gosplan wrote: »

We instead have to find our edge in our workrate, hunger and spirit. Trap obviously thinks that a united squad is important in that regard.

Most teams manage to have squad competition while retaining the workrate, spirit and hunger. Irish players have always had an abundance of those qualities, but now apparently competition for places in the squad will ruin that? Bollocks.

Liam O

Stokes is nowhere near Long's or Walters' level. Doyle this season maybe on a par but he's not going to be dropped. Ergo no place for Anto.

mal1

mal1 wrote: »

I think he's right. We can argue about who should have been included in the qualifiers but now that we are there, the guys who got us there, deserve to be there.

Yes, but at least dangle the carrot if for anything to keep their form up in case we need them and to keep the existing players on their toes and from getting complacent.

G.K.

PARKHEAD67 wrote: »

a HA:D. Jesus is weeping. Holy fcuk.

Have you seen Walters play?

PARKHEAD67 wrote: »

This "poor quality league" rubbish again.He plays for one of the biggest clubs in world football. If memory serves me correct the last CL encounter between Celtic and Franchise united ended in a 1-0 victory for Celtic. We also knocked Liverpool and Blackburn out of Europe in our most recent encounters.So less of your guff please

Poor league, not club. Reading is supposed to be a key skill, it seems you learned sprouting BS instead.

SantryRed

PARKHEAD67 wrote: »

LOL. The EPL delusion continues.FFS hes easily on a par if not better than those players.Have you seen him play recently?The lad is quality.

Your delusion on the SPL is funnier. He is not quality. Since you're reciting wins from years ago, do you remember how bad he was for Sunderland?

SantryRed

PARKHEAD67 wrote: »

This "poor quality league" rubbish again.He plays for one of the biggest clubs in world football. If memory serves me correct the last CL encounter between Celtic and Franchise united ended in a 1-0 victory for Celtic.

Also this is wrong.

the realpigiron

SantryRed wrote: »

Your delusion on the SPL is funnier. He is not quality. Since you're reciting wins from years ago, do you remember how bad he was for Sunderland?

How would you know? By the way you are talking clearly you don't watch Celtic in the SPL or when they played in the EL either. When discussing this matter you're like a child wandering about, lost in the wilderness, with no frame of reference.

SantryRed

the realpigiron wrote: »

How would you know? By the way you are talking clearly you don't watch Celtic in the SPL or when they played in the EL either. When discussing this matter you're like a child wandering about, lost in the wilderness, with no frame of reference.

I watch the SPL when it's on. The standard outside of the top two isn't far off the League of Ireland except with better stadiums. I did see them play in the EL also, but I don't know what that has to do with this discussion of the quality of the SPL.

the realpigiron

SantryRed wrote: »

I watch the SPL when it's on. The standard outside of the top two isn't far off the League of Ireland except with better stadiums. I did see them play in the EL also, but I don't know what that has to do with this discussion of the quality of the SPL.

We're talking about Anthony Stokes and whether he's good enough to be in the Ireland squad. The fact is that he is good enough to be in the squad, he was in the squad, and the only reason why he's not in it right now is because he got on the wrong side of the manager. On ability alone he would be in the squad.

PARKHEAD67

steelcityblues wrote: »

Don't mind him getting another chance in a friendly, that's what they are for. But the partisan Celtic fans who think he is on the same level as solid EPL performers like Walters and Long are showing their bias.

Give me a fcukin break. The EPL is not what you think.Its a league with two or three good teams.Much like Scotland.The rest is dross. Gary Caldwell(the Celtic reject) is captain of an EPL side. I rest my case.;)

PARKHEAD67

SantryRed wrote: »

I watch the SPL when it's on. The standard outside of the top two isn't far off the League of Ireland except with better stadiums. I did see them play in the EL also, but I don't know what that has to do with this discussion of the quality of the SPL.

Kinda like England so minus the hype.

PARKHEAD67

SantryRed wrote: »

Your delusion on the SPL is funnier. He is not quality. Since you're reciting wins from years ago, do you remember how bad he was for Sunderland?

I support Celtic.Not Sunderland.Years ago?? It wasnt that long ago when Celtic beat "the best that England had to offer".

G.K.

PARKHEAD67 wrote: »

Kinda like England so minus the hype.

PARKHEAD67 wrote: »

Give me a fcukin break. The EPL is not what you think.Its a league with two or three good teams.Much like Scotland.The rest is dross. Gary Caldwell(the Celtic reject) is captain of an EPL side. I rest my case.;)

Laughable. Who in the EPL are dross?

PARKHEAD67

G.K. wrote: »

Laughable. Who in the EPL are dross?

Hello. Everyone apart from City, United, Spurs,Chelsea and Arsenal.The rest are dross of the highest order.On a par with St. Mirren.

SantryRed

PARKHEAD67 wrote: »

Hello. Everyone apart from City, United, Spurs,Chelsea and Arsenal.The rest are dross of the highest order.On a par with St. Mirren.

If you believe this you should be banned from talking about football on the internet.

steelcityblues

SantryRed wrote: »

If you believe this you should be banned from talking about football on the internet.

Well, he supports the 'huge' club, who have no European trophy since 1967. They are no bigger than Aston Villa, tbh.

paddy kerins

PARKHEAD67 wrote: »

Hello. Everyone apart from City, United, Spurs,Chelsea and Arsenal.The rest are dross of the highest order.On a par with St. Mirren.

gosplan

Pro. F wrote: »

That, of itself, is not a justification for not selecting our best players.

Nor was it given as one.

Pro. F wrote: »

Most teams manage to have squad competition while retaining the workrate, spirit and hunger. Irish players have always had an abundance of those qualities, but now apparently competition for places in the squad will ruin that? Bollocks.

Yeah it probably is bollocks, that's what you end up reading when your mind reframes things just because you enjoy arguing on boards.

You're the only person to say that competition for squad places will ruin anything in terms of playing performances. What I said is that...

gosplan wrote:

Trap obviously thinks that a united squad is important in that regard.

... and made sure to include my opinion that we're only hearing about this because there's no really tough decisions for Trap to make anyway. He knows his first 16/17 players.

So Trap can drop a couple of guys that won't play for another couple of guys that won't play or he can weigh that up against keeping the same faces in training that he's been working with all along.

Personally I'd say it'd make very little difference eitherway and couldn't give a toss to be honest. but I guess Trap must be a loyal guy and he figures that a couple of bit part players who may have done nothing but show up every time and train have still in some way added something to this squad and deserve to be there.

That's all.

G.K.

PARKHEAD67 wrote: »

Hello. Everyone apart from City, United, Spurs,Chelsea and Arsenal.The rest are dross of the highest order.On a par with St. Mirren.

Liverpool, Newcastle, Stoke and Swansea would all beat Celtic. Are celtic dross?

master-t

When Trap first took the job, he said he would pick players based on form for club. This quickly changed to players who understood the system and has stayed that way since.

With this in mind, and listening to how Trap talks about what qualities he looks for in players, the squad for the Euros is pretty much picked in his mind.

He will use players he trusts with his system. This is the Italian mentality - and to be fair, it got us to the Euros and very close to the WC.

I would think 19 places (depending on injuries) are already decided. That leaves 4 places up for grabs - or at least, to be contested.

Automatic Certs for Trap:

Goalkeepers

Given
Westwood

Defenders

Dunne
O'Shea
St Ledger
Kelly
Ward
O'Dea

Midfielders

Duff
McGeady
Andrews
Whelan
Hunt
Coleman
Fahey

Strikers

Keane
Doyle
Long
Walters


This leaves 1 spot available in each department to contest between the following:

Keepers - Forde, Murphy and probably Randolph.

In Defence - Wilson, McShane, Clark, Foley, O'Brien and Duffy

Midfield - McCarthy, McClean, Meyler, Hoolahan, Gibson, Pilkington and Treacy.

Attack - Cox, Best, Keogh

(I would beg Stephen Reid to come out of exile and get on the plane personally.)

HOWEVER.....with this in mind, lets not forget that Trap is a single minded manager. He has his system, a style and he has stated on numerous occasions that he will stay faithful to the players that got us to the Euros. So I personally would not be expecting too many surprises with the squad.

I think the 4 other players that will make the plane will be - Forde, Foley, McCarthy and Cox. (Yes, I think he will go with 5 strikers).

noodler

I think nearly the entire squad should go but that there will be some surprises for various reasons as we approach the tourament day (naming of the squad that is).

I find the McClean talk strange, surely there are players who have more than 3 EPL games under their belt that would be ahead in the pecking order?

In anycase, we are well sorted in the wide positions.

Ferris_Bueller

Stokes has never impressed me playing outside of Scotland, and he has or at least had an attitude issue in the past, so for me he doesn't deserve to be in the squad, certainly not for the euros. Long, Keane, Walters, Doyle all deserve their places, and Cox has been good whenever he has played, I would say Best is ahead of Stokes in the pecking order too (he scored a very nice goal today).

Trap stating he won't be bringing new faces this early in the season can't be a good thing I imagine, however I agree with his decision to stick with the tried and trusted. Plenty of time for guys like Pilkington, McClean, Duffy, Brady etc after this tournament and hopefully they will compete in one themselves some day. The one player I do feel sorry for is Wes Hoolahan, he isn't getting any younger and doesn't look like he is going to get a chance any time soon despite technically one of the best Irish players there is atm.

Pro. F

gosplan wrote: »

Nor was it given as one.

I couldn't see any other reason why you would mention it.

gosplan wrote: »

Yeah it probably is bollocks, that's what you end up reading when your mind reframes things just because you enjoy arguing on boards.

You're the only person to say that competition for squad places will ruin anything in terms of playing performances. What I said is that...

... and made sure to include my opinion that we're only hearing about this because there's no really tough decisions for Trap to make anyway. He knows his first 16/17 players.

So Trap can drop a couple of guys that won't play for another couple of guys that won't play or he can weigh that up against keeping the same faces in training that he's been working with all along.

Personally I'd say it'd make very little difference eitherway and couldn't give a toss to be honest. but I guess Trap must be a loyal guy and he figures that a couple of bit part players who may have done nothing but show up every time and train have still in some way added something to this squad and deserve to be there.

That's all.

Okay, so I think what Trap is saying is bollocks. When you come out in defence of Trap's approach and mention all the old classics like squad cohesion and hunger and talk about how poor our players are, it's hard to tell that you actually don't think it matters either way. It looks like you agree with Trap.

You don't think that picking the best players and having them in the squad is important, I do. Portraying it as picking between some players who won't play and some other players who won't play is completely disingenuous.

Trap is now, six months out from the tournament, setting out his stall that there is not much chance of anybody new getting themselves into the squad. That is a ridiculous approach and squad unity is not a sensible justification.

noodler wrote: »

I find the McClean talk strange, surely there are players who have more than 3 EPL games under their belt that would be ahead in the pecking order?

In anycase, we are well sorted in the wide positions.

I agree. Some people are getting far too caught up on him.

Pro. F

And a separate post for the Parkhead's latest retarded offering:

PARKHEAD67 wrote: »

Hello. Everyone apart from City, United, Spurs,Chelsea and Arsenal.The rest are dross of the highest order.On a par with St. Mirren.

Go on, say something else stupid so we can laugh at you some more!

Father Damo

PARKHEAD67 wrote: »

Hello. Everyone apart from City, United, Spurs,Chelsea and Arsenal.The rest are dross of the highest order.On a par with St. Mirren.

LOL :pac:

I "thanked" your post for making me spit coke over my keyboard btw, rather than actually agreeing with it

cournioni

I think he's right to stick with the team that got them to the Euro's. It is only right. I do think that he will have one or two new lads in on the fringes though.

Rhys Essien

cournioni wrote: »

I think he's right to stick with the team that got them to the Euro's. It is only right. I do think that he will have one or two new lads in on the fringes though.

The way I see it, Meyler and Hoolahan are better players than Andrews and Whelan.No doubt about it.Marc Wilson and Ciaran Clark are better players than Stephen Kelly and Paul McShane.

I know it is too late(no enough prem games) but in time the calibre of McClean and Duffy will be above that of Keogh and O'Dea.

So to sum things up,six players going who I believe are/will be inferior to the six being left behind,all because Trap has to be loyal.

I can also see how it would be a bit cruel at this stage to drop some of the players but other managers would have no problem doing it.

cournioni

Rhys Essien wrote: »

The way I see it, Meyler and Hoolahan are better players than Andrews and Whelan.No doubt about it.Marc Wilson and Ciaran Clark are better players than Stephen Kelly and Paul McShane.

I know it is too late(no enough prem games) but in time the calibre of McClean and Duffy will be above that of Keogh and O'Dea.

So to sum things up,six players going who I believe are/will be inferior to the six being left behind,all because Trap has to be loyal.

I can also see how it would be a bit cruel at this stage to drop some of the players but other managers would have no problem doing it.

While I agree with you, they may be better players, you have to trust that Trap and the most recent squad are doing the right things, considering their defensive record, results and subsequent qualification.

It has yet to be seen just how Hoolahan and Meyler adapt to international football. It is a step up from the Premiership and the Euro's will be even more of a step up. While I think that they probably should be called into the squad, they most certainly shouldn't be allowed near the first eleven unless they are doing exceptionally well in training.

Experience counts for everything at this point and I believe sticking with the same team, and in some cases the squad will have a better effect on Ireland's results than technically better less experienced players will. Players like Hoolahan, Wilson, Clark, Duffy and McClean need internationally competitive experience before they should be allowed anywhere near the squad. If they are included, they should only replace less experienced players (with the exception of Paul McShane who I think is a fcuking liability).

gosplan

Pro. F wrote: »

I couldn't see any other reason why you would mention it.

You quote a single line from a paragraph and say...

Pro. F wrote: »

That, of itself, is not a justification for not selecting our best players.

Well all I'm saying is that before you got at it, the comment wasn't intended 'of itself'




Look, Trap has his system and he has his first team. If you're asking would I like Hoolohan to be drafted in and a plan B to be formulated, the answer is yes. However, everyone should know and accept by this stage that there is no plan B with Trap's Ireland. I might disagree with that but I figure after Ireland's results since he came along that he should be given the freedom to do things his way at an international tournament.

So given that Hoolohan isn't going to get game time under Trap and that Clark would see the same zero gametime as McShane, it probably makes very little difference bringing them along.

The plus side as I see it would be the benefit of Trap's loyalty to his players. I've no doubt that players like Sledge play above themselves for Trap because he's been loyal to them so I guess he's sticking with them, all of them, even if some of the fringe players aren't good enough ... which is kind of a good definition of loyalty.

MickShamrock

master-t wrote: »

I think the 4 other players that will make the plane will be - Forde, Foley, McCarthy and Cox. (Yes, I think he will go with 5 strikers).

Replace Foley with McShane and I'd say you aren't too far off the mark.

gustavo

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

McClean looks promising but we are basing this on less than a handful of appearances.

Speak for yourself

Pro. F

gosplan wrote: »

Look, Trap has his system and he has his first team. If you're asking would I like Hoolohan to be drafted in and a plan B to be formulated, the answer is yes. However, everyone should know and accept by this stage that there is no plan B with Trap's Ireland. I might disagree with that but I figure after Ireland's results since he came along that he should be given the freedom to do things his way at an international tournament.

So given that Hoolohan isn't going to get game time under Trap and that Clark would see the same zero gametime as McShane, it probably makes very little difference bringing them along.

The plus side as I see it would be the benefit of Trap's loyalty to his players. I've no doubt that players like Sledge play above themselves for Trap because he's been loyal to them so I guess he's sticking with them, all of them, even if some of the fringe players aren't good enough ... which is kind of a good definition of loyalty.

I don't rate Trap's results as that impressive and certainly not impressive enough to be given a free pass on his eccentricities.

I don't believe for one moment that these levels of loyalty are necessary to motivate a squad. Since that is what Trap is trying to claim I think he is talking bollocks. Yes Sledge might play above himself because Trap has been loyal to him - great. But that is nothing exceptional, any manager should be expected to motivate his players well. Especially in the Irish team where we have always had an abundance of hard working players. Sledge is one of our best centre backs (and credit to Trap for developing his game on the technical side) so that loyalty is deserved. Loyalty to players throughout the squad regardless of quality is not deserved or required for motivation.

I think it is completely untrue to portray squad competition as only between players who won't get any game time. Every member of a squad is important and may have to be relied on during a tournament.

gosplan

Pro. F wrote: »

I don't rate Trap's results as that impressive and certainly not impressive enough to be given a free pass on his eccentricities.

What is it now in competitive fixtures? Won 11, Drew 10, Lost 2? Obviously it could still be better and there's a lot of draws but it's worth considering that 7 of those came in the first campaign where he was just getting going. I don't see how you can't be impressed by that.

Pro. F wrote: »

I don't believe for one moment that these levels of loyalty are necessary to motivate a squad. Since that is what Trap is trying to claim I think he is talking bollocks.

STOP DOING THAT!!!!! Trap said nothing like that. He didn't claim anything like that.

Trap wrote:

This squad got us good results, they achieved the qualifying, and I think they deserve to go. They know our system and our attitude."

Seriously, stop making up what people are saying and then calling it bollocks!!! That's the second time in three posts. People like you are why you can't trust things you read on the internet.

Pro. F wrote: »

Sledge might play above himself because Trap has been loyal to him - great.

Very flippant of you but that actually is great.

Pro. F wrote: »

But that is nothing exceptional

Personally, I think it is.

Pro. F wrote: »

Especially in the Irish team where we have always had an abundance of hard working players. Sledge is one of our best centre backs (and credit to Trap for developing his game on the technical side) so that loyalty is deserved. Loyalty to players throughout the squad regardless of quality is not deserved or required for motivation.

I get what you're saying but is it still loyalty if you're only going to be loyal to the good players. Is that not just playing your best players?

Pro. F wrote: »

I think it is completely untrue to portray squad competition as only between players who won't get any game time. Every member of a squad is important and may have to be relied on during a tournament.

Maybe Trap thinks that the loyalty he's showing to McShane and Kelly will motivate them if they need to be called upon.

Orando Broom

Can Kevin Doyle be seriously considered for the Euros? Dropped by McCarthy a manager historically patient with wayward players.

The guy has quite frankly been cat.

noodler

Orando Broom wrote: »

Can Kevin Doyle be seriously considered for the Euros? Dropped by McCarthy a manager historically patient with wayward players.

The guy has quite frankly been cat.

Considered? Yes.

Probably as a starter too.

The only question is whether or not Trap starts him, I don't think Keane and Long make a great partnership (in theory).

His Irish performances as a whole over the last few years will guarantee him a place in the squad and rightly so.

gosplan

Orando Broom wrote: »

Can Kevin Doyle be seriously considered for the Euros? Dropped by McCarthy a manager historically patient with wayward players.

The guy has quite frankly been cat.

For a place in the squad, he has to be. For a starting place, I'd say it's got to be Keane & Long/Walters at this stage.

Choosing between Long and Walters is really tough. Long you'd say would be ther better all-rounder but he won't be given the same role for us as he would for West Brom so you can't expect to see the same performances.

Orando Broom

gosplan wrote: »

For a place in the squad, he has to be. For a starting place, I'd say it's got to be Keane & Long/Walters at this stage.

Choosing between Long and Walters is really tough. Long you'd say would be ther better all-rounder but he won't be given the same role for us as he would for West Brom so you can't expect to see the same performances.

But even for ireland he has not been great. Both Cox and Walters i think jumped closer to him in the pcking order, if not above him. Leon Best has been involved he has two months, Ba-free, at Newcastle to give Doyle a real fight.

DoctorGonzo08

gosplan wrote: »

For a place in the squad, he has to be. For a starting place, I'd say it's got to be Keane & Long/Walters at this stage.

Choosing between Long and Walters is really tough. Long you'd say would be ther better all-rounder but he won't be given the same role for us as he would for West Brom so you can't expect to see the same performances.

I thought Trap had a system in place in chosing his strikers? Was it not that there was two specific roles? A target man, someone who would stay forward, and a forward who would drop a little deeper. That leaves two categories in which to choose, with the target man (Doyle, Cox, Best) and the forward (Keane, Long, Walters). I think it was in that order of preference too. Therefore his first choice was Doyle, Keane. When Keane was injured, Cox stepped in.

I don't think it is Doyle vs Long and Walters at all, but Doyle vs Cox and Best. Therefore you would rate Dole better than those two, hence he is the starter. I know its not ideal, but it seems to be the tactics Trap has stuck with.

Dublin_Gunner

Long, Cox, Best & Keane are the best 4 strikers we have.

I can see Cox & Keane starting TBH, with Long the next in the pecking order. Best will only lose out because he hasn't been involved with the squad all that much - but he definitely has quality and has been playing well the past season and a half.

Trap does like Doyle's work rate though, but whether that's enough considering he's gone out of favour at Wolves remains to be seen.

heavyballs

gosplan wrote: »

For a place in the squad, he has to be. For a starting place, I'd say it's got to be Keane & Long/Walters at this stage.

Choosing between Long and Walters is really tough. Long you'd say would be ther better all-rounder but he won't be given the same role for us as he would for West Brom so you can't expect to see the same performances.

i would start both of them up front,leave keane and Doyle on the bench,Keane gives you feck all these days,he was a great servent,no doubt but just because he did a good job getting us there doesn't mean he has to start,i would actually start Doyle before him

Dublin_Gunner

heavyballs wrote: »

i would start both of them up front,leave keane and Doyle on the bench,Keane gives you feck all these days,he was a great servent,no doubt but just because he did a good job getting us there doesn't mean he has to start,i would actually start Doyle before him

Keane gives us feck all?? I'd argue his strike rate for Ireland thoroughly negates your point.

heavyballs

Dublin_Gunner wrote: »

Keane gives us feck all?? I'd argue his strike rate for Ireland thoroughly negates your point.

i said he WAS a great servent,he is not good enough to start,fecking off to the states kinda shows he knows himself he's not up to premier league standard
that's my opinion and i stick by it

Dublin_Gunner

heavyballs wrote: »

i said he WAS a great servent,he is not good enough to start,fecking off to the states kinda shows he knows himself he's not up to premier league standard
that's my opinion and i stick by it

lol If he wasn't prem standard, how come he's back with Villa? Are Villa not prem standard??


2011 - 10 appearances, 8 goals for Ireland.

Enough said really.

His strike rate for Ireland is better than anyone, and he's a better goal scorer than anyone in the squad.

heavyballs

Dublin_Gunner wrote: »

lol If he wasn't prem standard, how come he's back with Villa? Are Villa not prem standard??


2011 - 10 appearances, 8 goals for Ireland.

Enough said really.

His strike rate for Ireland is better than anyone, and he's a better goal scorer than anyone in the squad.

lol you say,ffs he's only just arrived,let's see how he gets on first hey

Dublin_Gunner

heavyballs wrote: »

lol you say,ffs he's only just arrived,let's see how he gets on first hey

Surely they wouldn't have had him unless he was up to it?

Everyone knows the main reason for Robbie's move was money - like all his transfers.

Raskolnikov

It's funny what a difference six months can make! Linked to Arsenal (and Chelsea before that) with a massive number of folks on here insisting that he could make it at that level - http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056318381

A few short months later, he's fit for the glue factory.