Kevin Nolan to declare for Ireland

TwoShedsJackson

Great. He's a good player and he's as Irish as some of the mongs that have played for us since the Charlton years. I look forward to seeing him not sing Amhran na bFhiann soon.

Kingp35

As I said previously representing Ireland should be one of the proudest moments of your life. To run out onto a pitch representing you country has got to be one of the highlights of a players career. In the case of Nolan he has said he wants to play for England, if he oesnt get that choise we are second best and he wont feel the pride because of that.

he is English and has said he doesnt want to play for us so I dont want him representing us!!

Ruskie4Rent

Isn't Nolan on for a call up given his current form. Could well be a fringe player for england in the world cup. So even if he could play for Ireland, why would he?

Dub13

Ruskie4Rent wrote:

Isn't Nolan on for a call up given his current form. Could well be a fringe player for england in the world cup. So even if he could play for Ireland, why would he?

He will find it very very hard to brake into the English midfield.

Serbian

Dub13 wrote:

He will find it very very hard to brake into the English midfield.

I'd agree with that. The only chance he has is through injuries. I would consider him more of a competitor to Lampard than Gerrard, but Lampard hasn't been injured for at least 3 seasons. In case of a Lampard injury, I'd say Sven would be more inclined to move Beckham into the centre and play Shaun Wright-Phillips on the right.

Ruskie4Rent

I'm not sayin he'll break in to the first 11 but the chance of him becoming a player on the sidelines, like hargreaves, dyer, and the usuall background posse, is a real possibility.
A free trip to germany, and the chance of a medal, sounds alot more attrective than playing for a country without a manager, and no prospect of a decent one coming either, and who only play a tournament every 10 years or so.

Jivin Turkey

Big Nelly wrote:

He isnt anywhere near a keane...not fit to clean his boots....

All I said was that he is a similar style of player to the Keane of old, which he is.

Big Nelly wrote:

before this season was always in and out of the team....this is the first chance he has got a real run in team(playing every game).....he is average at best.....

Yeah you are spot on as usual.

He's made 170 starts for Bolton, despite only making his debut five years ago at 18. So what are we at? 34 starts a year? Definitely what I would class as "in and out of the team".

He is a very good player. He hit double figures for goals in 03/04. It's not like he's a flash in the pan. He has been around for ages, and he has been playing well for ages.

Big Nelly wrote:

there is no chance he will get into the midfield for England.....Reo-coker at West Ham would be alot better player if needed in that position......also Murphy at Charlton is 10 times better player and his link up with Owen is second to none.......again everyone reading into the cr*p from the UK press about any english player!!! if he is playing for England he will be shown to be average and bring the level of the team down!!

I can't see him being a permanent fixture in the starting XI, but he is much better than "average".

It's not crap from the UK press, this guy has a proven Premiership pedigree, and at 23, that's not something to be disregarded.

And as I said, he will have played for England within the year, which he wants to do, so who cares if some paper has again linked that he is eligible for Ireland.

MrJoeSoap

He has today replaced JayJay Okocha as club captain at Bolton.

Bolton are going to lose Okocha, El-Hadji Diouf, Radhi Jaidi, Khalilou Fadiga and Abdoulaye Faye for two to three weeks for the African Nations, seems absolutely ridiculous to me. Why can't they play this tournament during the summer of the odd years (e.g. - the summer just gone by)?

Serbian

MrJoeSoap wrote:

He has today replaced JayJay Okocha as club captain at Bolton.

Bolton are going to lose Okocha, El-Hadji Diouf, Radhi Jaidi, Khalilou Fadiga and Abdoulaye Faye for two to three weeks for the African Nations, seems absolutely ridiculous to me. Why can't they play this tournament during the summer of the odd years (e.g. - the summer just gone by)?

Yeah, makes a lot of sense that. I think Middlesbrough are going to be losing Yakubu for a few weeks too which is a real kick in the teeth (not least because he is on my Fantasy Football team ). Maybe the African football season runs in the Summer and this is the off-season for them?

eirebhoy

MrJoeSoap wrote:

Bolton are going to lose Okocha, El-Hadji Diouf, Radhi Jaidi, Khalilou Fadiga and Abdoulaye Faye for two to three weeks for the African Nations, seems absolutely ridiculous to me. Why can't they play this tournament during the summer of the odd years (e.g. - the summer just gone by)?

I think its summer in Africa now which is why they have it at this time of the year but they should definitely change it now that there's so many African's playing in Europe. Are players like Eto'o and Essien playing in it?

Pigman II

I don't think the CAF should change it at all (or not much anyway)! In fact I think it should be the European leagues making accomadations to countries and by this I mean they should actually shut down for the entire month of January each year.

That way all the real international business (eg 1/2 a series of UEFA qualifiers / African nations cup etc) be condensed into that window. I think even the clubs would benefit as they could move on happy in the knowledge that all those irriating 'call ups' were out of the way for another year.

MrJoeSoap

eirebhoy wrote:

Are players like Eto'o and Essien playing in it?

As far as I know Chelsea will lose Geremi, Drogba and Essien to the tournament. A total of 30 players will leave the Premiership for the tournament in January and February.

http://observer.guardian.co.uk/sport/story/0,6903,1641411,00.html - Paragraph 6.

Not too sure about Eto'o.

eirebhoy

Article about it here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/africa/4442032.stm

MrJoeSoap

The comments at the end are very interesting, and in all fairness, mostly quite ridiculous.

Good article though, I didn't even think about the French league and the many many African players that they will miss. Something has to be changed, be it on the part of the various leagues or the tournament itself.

GuanYin

Its recycle old rumour time!!!!

So it seems Stan has talked to Kev and that Del-boy if on the phone to Seppy to see if they can pull a Timmy for Kev.
Whatever will Sammy say?

Or something.

Yup, surprised there is no thread, but it seems the FAI have put in a formal request to FIFA to allow Nolan to play for Ireland.

Now of course, the closest to an commited comment I've seen on this is Nolan himself saying that he told Joey O'Brien that its something he'd think about and that he was impressed with Stan. Otherwise I've seen nothing from Staunton. anyone else any info on this besides the broadsheet and tabloid speculation?

I reckon its a "Nolan for England" ruse myself.

Kingp35

Nolan is someone I dont want to see playing for Ireland because he has made it clear in the past that he does not see himself as Irish but as English. If he did decicde to play for us it would be for purely selfish reasons and I dont want players like that playing for my country.

Big Nelly

Big Nelly wrote:

Nolan was only on the TV at start of this month or last month before the Spurs game going on about getting into the Ireland squad...this was news like 2-3 years ago and when he was asked about it he had said that Big Sam had advised him not to declare for Ireland and wait for england,.....this was when Noaln could have played for he U21 and was one of the only starting players that where available for the U21's and playing regular in PL and he still wasnt in the squad so why he thinks now that he is good enough for the full squad when he wasnt for the U21's is beyond me.....he could do a job for Ireland but nothing special about him.....this story has only come about because he has been made captain and has scored a few.......

I would think it would be better if they started to take a look at O'Brien who is playing at left back at the moment and doing very well....hopefully this will give him the chance to get a place in the middle.....he is class!! also who need Nolan when Whelan is playing for Shef Wed and can be a better player!! at least he has played for the U21's!!

Opinion hasnt changed

Pigman II

I think Nolan will hang on for England. If Allardyce gets the job after the WC (which has a good chance) then Nolan will definetly be picked by him IMHO.

county

Pigman II wrote:

I think Nolan will hang on for England. If Allardyce gets the job after the WC (which has a good chance) then Nolan will definetly be picked by him IMHO.

your not slow off the mark pigman, i never though of that,but i totally agree with you

Ruskie4Rent

I also agree. However, i watched an interview with him on sky and he mentioned that if he's not picked for the WC he'll reaccess the situation.

MrJoeSoap

Ruskie4Rent wrote:

I also agree. However, i watched an interview with him on sky and he mentioned that if he's not picked for the WC he'll reaccess the situation.

So we'd be his team to fall back on... thats exactly what Ireland need.

Big Nelly

Ruskie4Rent wrote:

I also agree. However, i watched an interview with him on sky and he mentioned that if he's not picked for the WC he'll reaccess the situation.

He is not welcome to play for Ireland, end of, we have listened to him the last few season about how proud he would be to play for this country, England, just becasue he aont getting into the squad is it ok to jump onto the ireland bandwagon just so he gets international experience so his next contract will be that few grand more

he is not welcome

Pigman II

MrJoeSoap wrote:

So we'd be his team to fall back on... thats exactly what Ireland need.

Hey that's reality whether you like it or not.

We have to decide do we want a team of the best players that we can possibly assemble or just people with grá for Ireland. In an ideal world it would be the latter but realistically that is less likely to get us to the finals of tournaments than the former.

John Alridge (to name but one) didn't want to play for us either and used us as his 'fall back' too but I think I can speak for most of us in that his commitment for us was never in doubt once he actually was an Ireland player.

I'd take Nolan if we could get him but my own feeling is that he'll be an England player in time.

GuanYin

So would all the fans here sacrifice the 2 world cups and European championship experiences if it meant we never had a non-irishman play for Ireland?

Would you sacrifice qualification for the next EC in favour of Nolan playing for Ireland?

Big Nelly

psi wrote:

Would you sacrifice qualification for the next EC in favour of Nolan playing for Ireland?

Why would we have to sacrifice? people on here want to get the quick easy option of a renegade from the England team cause he cant get his place. What about Whelan? O'Brien etc who are all busting a gut in the U21 only to get to the Full team to find the role they have worked towards now has some old England squad player so they are thrown onto the scrap heap? then in 2 years time everyone will be on here again saying that it is terrible that Ireland cant prodiuce good young talent

GuanYin

Big Nelly wrote:

Why would we have to sacrifice?

In previous cases the majority of our squad were non-irish players who would have played for scotland/england.

people on here want to get the quick easy option of a renegade from the England team cause he cant get his place. What about Whelan? O'Brien etc who are all busting a gut in the U21 only to get to the Full team to find the role they have worked towards now has some old England squad player so they are thrown onto the scrap heap? then in 2 years time everyone will be on here again saying that it is terrible that Ireland cant prodiuce good young talent

Because (A) I'm not convinced Whelan is good enough (nor are 20 Premiership managers its seems) and (B) we need more than 2/3 players for 2 positions. We need a good squad.

Big Nelly

psi wrote:

Because (A) I'm not convinced Whelan is good enough (nor are 20 Premiership managers its seems) and (B) we need more than 2/3 players for 2 positions. We need a good squad.

Whlean had a great season last year, Keegan wanted to keep him but he moved to Shef Wed to get regular football, he started great this season but because of injury problem he was more or less running the team and becasue of this was made captain, after this the pressure go to him and his form went, along with Shef Wed league position. He is starting to get his form back,

Also on 90% of the U21 games he has ran the midfield including the last game. Noaln hasn't even got a game in the U21's.


We have the 2 Reids, Whelan, O'Brien, Kilbane, Duff, etc all in midfield.

GuanYin

Big Nelly wrote:

Whlean had a great season last year, Keegan wanted to keep him but he moved to Shef Wed to get regular football, he started great this season but because of injury problem he was more or less running the team and becasue of this was made captain, after this the pressure go to him and his form went, along with Shef Wed league position. He is starting to get his form back,

And still no sign of a premiership move. Its nice that he has support, but if he was good enough, he'd be in the prem.

Also on 90% of the U21 games he has ran the midfield including the last game.

Poor opposition.

Noaln hasn't even got a game in the U21's.

But is captain of his top half premiership team :rolleyes:

We have the 2 Reids, Whelan, O'Brien, Kilbane, Duff, etc all in midfield.

We have 1 Reid, Whelan, O'Brien, Miller Kavanagh and Kilbane in Central Midfield.

Of those players O'Brien is mostly used as a full back (Nolan has the central midfield in the same team) and of the rest only Steven Reid is of the same standard.

Your still missing the main question. You claim not to want to see the Irish team play non-Irish players.

Would you then have prefered if we hadn't have had the core non-irish players in the 80's and 90's if it meant we wouldn't go to the competition finals.

In otherwords, in the past we got to the finals on the success of our granny rule players, if you accept those successes, why not future ones or do you conveniently wish to forget about that.

Big Nelly

psi wrote:

And still no sign of a premiership move. Its nice that he has support, but if he was good enough, he'd be in the prem.

Yeah wait till he gets a season in the Championship, you will see his best next year, he is still very young

psi wrote:

Poor opposition.

Thats why France, Portugal etc have all built great sides based on ther eU21 squads. How come the rest of europe can bring thru the majority of there U21 squads and do great things but according to Irish people who have a good record in under-age tournaments see this as poor opposition. I bet when Figo, Rui Costa, Ronaldo, Zidane, Henry, Duff, Robbie Keane, Richard Dunne etc didnt see there underage careers as playing against poor opposition

psi wrote:

But is captain of his top half premiership team :rolleyes:

Thats true, but ever since the first mention of Ireland he has cleary stated he doesnt want to play for Ireland.

psi wrote:

We have 1 Reid, Whelan, O'Brien, Miller Kavanagh and Kilbane in Central Midfield.

Andy Reid and Stephen Reid are the same person?

psi wrote:

Of those players O'Brien is mostly used as a full back (Nolan has the central midfield in the same team) and of the rest only Steven Reid is of the same standard.

O'Brien is a midfield player and was brillant when playing with Whelan in the middle of the park last season for Shef Wed. He is only playing in that position because of an injury problem and he has shown what he is capable of playing in the PL, if the manager asks you when your that young if you will play out of position you would say yes.

psi wrote:

Your still missing the main question. You claim not to want to see the Irish team play non-Irish players.

Would you then have prefered if we hadn't have had the core non-irish players in the 80's and 90's if it meant we wouldn't go to the competition finals.

In otherwords, in the past we got to the finals on the success of our granny rule players, if you accept those successes, why not future ones or do you conveniently wish to forget about that.

Well teh last WC they was very few players I would say came on teh Granny rule, before that in 94 and 90 I was a bit young to understand it all but was proud of the team of course because I am Irish, but I would rather see a full team of Irish people that a team of reject from the England team that are only playing because they can't get a game for the England team, I dont mind player born in england, my bro was born over in England and I wouldnt say he is english? would you?

GuanYin

Big Nelly wrote:

Yeah wait till he gets a season in the Championship, you will see his best next year, he is still very young

He's 22 which is young, yes - but there are other players rated and spotted younger or similar age. You don't hear of many top clubs touting Whelan.

Thats why France, Portugal etc have all built great sides based on ther eU21 squads. How come the rest of europe can bring thru the majority of there U21 squads and do great things

The majority? Maybe 3-4 countries do but they all have better leagues and better grassroots systems.

but according to Irish people who have a good record in under-age tournaments see this as poor opposition. I bet when Figo, Rui Costa, Ronaldo, Zidane, Henry, Duff, Robbie Keane, Richard Dunne etc didnt see there underage careers as playing against poor opposition

Every player there played for a strong club team from a young age. How many of their teamm mates at U21 can you name that are full internationals? Without Google. How many players can you name that they played against in U21 Qualifiers?

Andy Reid and Stephen Reid are the same person?

Andy can't play centre mid. He can play between the front players and central midfield but in no way would I put him near 2 man central field.

O'Brien is a midfield player and was brillant when playing with Whelan in the middle of the park last season for Shef Wed. He is only playing in that position because of an injury problem and he has shown what he is capable of playing in the PL, if the manager asks you when your that young if you will play out of position you would say yes.

And the player taking up one of the positions that he wanst to play in is Nolan. Ergo, Nolan, for now, is a better option.

Well teh last WC they was very few players I would say came on teh Granny rule, before that in 94 and 90 I was a bit young to understand it all but was proud of the team of course because I am Irish, but I would rather see a full team of Irish people that a team of reject from the England team that are only playing because they can't get a game for the England team, I dont mind player born in england, my bro was born over in England and I wouldnt say he is english? would you?

You're brother certainly is, if he considers himself so, but what about Houghton and Aldridge? Townsend?

So you are then saying that historically, you would rather these players be left out of the irish team? You'd rather that someone like Houghton, who didn't even know he was eligible for Ireland until told and had no previous desire to play for Ireland, had been omitted? Is that what you are saying?