WHETHER IT’S PLAYERS all but assured of a place in the team barring injury or those on the periphery of the squad, we take a weekly look at Irish footballers’ performances as the countdown to Euro 2016 continues.
3 who had a good weekend
1. Stephen Ward
The 30-year-old full-back has been a regular in the Burnley team since breaking into the side in November and Ward played the full 90 minutes as his side beat Blackburn to go top of the Championship. In the same game, another Irish player, Shane Duffy, gave away the penalty from which the winning goal was scored.
2. Robbie Keane
Keane scored from the penalty spot in LA Galaxy’s 4-1 win over DC United as the new MLS season got underway. It was a continuation of the veteran striker’s fine form from last season, in which he managed 20 goals in 25 games.
3. Richard Keogh
Keogh, as always, featured at the heart of Derby’s defence in their 2-0 win over Huddersfield. The victory leaves Darren Wassall’s side fifth and just seven points off the automatic promotion spots.
3 who didn’t
1. Damien Delaney
Delaney, of course, is officially retired from international duty, though Alan Pardew recently suggested the centre-back would be open to making a return ahead of the Euros and it’s hard to imagine that the experienced defender isn’t hopeful of being involved on some level. Either way, it was a disappointing weekend for the Palace centre-back, as he gave away the penalty from which Liverpool’s winning goal was scored.
2. Robbie Brady
The Dubliner hobbled off after 27 minutes of Norwich’s 1-0 loss to Swansea. The player picked up a calf injury, with the club subsequently issuing a statement indicating they were uncertain of how long the player would be out for and confirming he would be assessed in the coming days.
3. John O’Shea
John O’Shea only came on for the final moments of Sunderland’s game at the weekend, but gave Virgil van Dijk an inch of space to fire home the equaliser in Saturday’s 1-1 draw at St Mary’s.
The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!
Anyone else think the squad should go over there, play fringe players and treat it as a training exercise, get a few days in the sun for first team regulars and come back to the league a little fresher with a top up tan,,it’s happened before you know….
@Devilsavocado: 100% agree. Bring back kenny dalglish and graeme souness for a round around, nonsense cup.
@Devilsavocado: as a utd fan i was delighted wen they won it. Only 2 games. Won’t do any harm
@Devilsavocado: absolutely agree
@my name: Liverpool are absolutely flying it unfortunately,these two games are where they could pick up stupid injuries but knowing Klopp they’ll win it and win the league by about 20 points
@John Connolly: you can pick up stupid injuries at home too John. There’s no point in looking at games like that. Injuries happen in training, in games it’s part of the game. As Pool fans are often reminded there’s nothing won yet and it on to the next one
Ps: nice to see you’re thawing out a bit though. Happy Christmas
A lot of these players become more important the less available they are
No doubt will milk it if they win it and laugh it off if they don’t!
https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/elusive-trophy-how-liverpools-greatest-team-failed-rule-world-84
@Herby Shearer: yeah but you have to be in it to win Herb!! Champions of Europe and top of the league
@Herby Shearer: which would be the right way to treat it I’d have thought?