Okay, since there seemed to be interest in a new one of these, I figure we'll use this. This is for games after August 22, 2007. On that date, Reading sent out 10 players, and DLC refused a call. Also a bunch of youth players.
The usual suspects got callups for next week's games. I thought it was interesting that they already list Convey as going to play in Chicago against Brazil, even though the roster for that game hasn't been released. http://www.readingfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10306~1103227,00.html
Ivar went the full 90 in Iceland's 1-1 tie with Spain. Doyle scored and went 89 minutes in Ireland's 2-2 tie with Slovakia.
Haven't seen Doyle's yet, but heard it described as stunning, gets ball and turns and fires a rocket from around 30. Heard it had no bend or dip, just amazing pace. [edit to add] Okay, now I've see it:http://www.attachmax.com/Doyle_vs_Slovakia.html Let's hope this gets him off the mark in the prem, because I'm not seeing a lot of folks stopping this one, and with his left foot...
Convey played for the US against Brazil and was pretty awful again. I'm starting to wonder what's up with him.
Usually I try to look for the positives and find the hyperventilating about how bad some guy was to be a little much. But Convey really looked awful. Couldn't cross to save his life, appeared to have no ability to control the ball, even looked pretty slow. Not to mention moving his head OUT of the way of that goal. If he would've just stayed stationary he'd have stopped it.
Upside, he didn't get hurt... Hunt managed to 1. come on as a sub for Ireland and for 20 minutes drag them back into a game against the Czech Rep and then 2. seal the game, essentially, with a Huntian lunge that merited straight red (man, he never gets booked in the prem, but we all knew this was waiting to happen). Anyway, they lost 1-0. In an Iceland under 19, our icelandic forward, sig-something, scored three in two games. Anyone know if Bossman scored for the ghana U-17s in the little WC.
It seems Marcus will almost certainly start against Switzerland, which is great. For some reason Shorey got called up for England again. Pretty funny.
I love Marcus, but I wish that the US National team would start looking for the guy to follow Howard instead of platooning two backups that will both be almost 40 by the time the next WC comes around. What is so funny about that. I have heard many pundits say that he is really pushing to make that spot his for the Lions.
He was good last season and couldn't get called up until May, he's been bad so far this season and keeps getting calls. But I was most likely being a bit harsh, as he has probably done well enough when he's played with England to merit continued conclusion in the team.
or maybe you weren't too harsh. bit more with Reading might be nice. while it was a joke last year that he wasn't getting called, it seems as much of one this year. Also good to see marcus get another cap. As for the two younger keepers, not sure I was the third choice keeper for a friendly I'd have any interest in showing up. That's a very full roster, 21. And here's a vent, while I love for Reading players to get called up, this team more than most could use some time to unify. Everyone who stays through this week is a plus, so why is ireland calling in Hunt? He's on a red, ffs.
Have to say that I'm just slightly pleased at the timing of Convey's hopefully minor injury for this reason.
Will he play? I don't see the point if he's not going to at least get in as a sub. Doyle and Long both played in the Ireland-Germany game yesterday. I've read some good things about Long's performance.
The whole Scotland team was pretty awful, but Murty was among the better of the not-very-goods in my opinion. Marcus subbed out at the half. He didn't have much to do in the first half, but made an alright save or two. No big mistakes.
Marcus was pretty okay today. He was under some decent pressure in pretty bad conditions, and did well. Came off at the half for an MLS guy, so he did what he needed to do.
Shorey is in the England side again. Is anyone worried that his regular apperance in the squad will put his price tag in a place that Madejski is unwilling to reach?