Now, I'd imagine that alot of you don't rate him too highly, I used to be the same, but I've watched him a bit recently and he's been a revelation. Today, for example, he was imo Southamptons best player in an absolute top preformance V Spurs, his passing was breath taking, he was taking people on and his workrate, strenght and tackling we're like Matt Holland when he first broke onto the scene. He basically was the complete mid fielder, dominaited the mid field from defence and linked with the attack beautifully. Anyway, I went onto Rivals Sotons site to see what they thought, and apparently he's been doing this week in week out, on another site someone said he was one of the main reasons behind their current success and they all love him it seems. Now, given Hollands frankly cack form in the last two games, I've been thinking we need something to get the skids under him and imo dropping him for Delap in the Scotland friendly will be just the thing, and if Delap plays well keep him in there. Personal feelings aside, we also need Keane back, the last two matches underlined that. The squad say they want him, bring him in, he and Delap could plug the gap in the middle of the park seen in our last games while we wait for Healy to move, probably to Everton, and hopefully Holland to get the motivation he needs to get back to form, we'll have one hell of a central mid field. Unfortunitly, I'm afraid I think Kinsella is past it. Be it age or his knee injury but one of my all time favourite players just isn't doing it any more. It's no coincidence that Charlton let not only their skipper, but a club legend, go for next to nothing and his form this season for Villa has been poor, I think we need to look at alternatives and I think Delap will provide that. What do you reckon?
Hehheh....you got the jump on me - I was just about to start a "Delap for Ireland" thread I don't think there was ever too much doubt about his talent, but the problem at Derby was that he played in almost every outfield postition during his years there, so that no one actually knew where he was best. It started off the same after he became Southampton's record signing last season (right-back, right midfield) before Strachan settled on playing him in the engine room. And he's been a revelation. Strachan's been raving about him all season, and is on record as saying that Delap should partner Keane in Ireland's midfield (this was just before the World Cup). The BBC commentators couldn't get enough of him against Spurs yesterday either. And he was Man of the Match when Soton beat Arsenal a couple of months ago in the league, which by all accounts is a fair reflection of how he's been this year. Apart from his workrate and tackling, he also has a far subtler touch than Holland et al, and is capable of surprising amounts of skill. And a very very long throw I say give him a shot in February.
Yeah, he can go on very powerfull runs, but his passing amazed me. It was brilliant, passing, crossing, delivery of any kind. Sometimes our mid field is accused of not passing it well enough, Keane and Delap would end that problem. Right now if I had to pick two for our match against Scotland I'd pick Keane and Delap, subject to fitness and Keane coming back, and if they impressed like they can then I'd start them in our next competitive match too. He's been central mid field all season, which is a major plus like you say.
Reid agree...he is worth a pop..no doubt come the pull outs for the Scotland friendly match next month we will be left with Delap and Healy in centre midfield anyhow..... A guy was on talksport a week ago who had been down the Millwall training ground and he said that Steve Gritt (Assistant Coach?) told him that Steven Reid was off to Spurs......Its Matthew Etherington+at least £1m cash for him......then i read in the papers today that spurs scouts have watched him in the last three matches.....could well be something in it At least he will get to the Premiership but whether Spurs is the correct move I dont know.....not the most passionate of teams to play for!! (Good to see Robbie and Carr showing some passion for spurs) closey
I wouldn't be suprised, Reid is premiership class doubtless. However, I'd be a bit suprised to see Etherington move the other way, he's a youngster who I rate highly if he can improve his crossing which is pathetic really he'd be a star.
i delighted to see rory finally playing to the standard that i know he's capable of. agreed that he's benefiting from a dedicated position on the field as opposed to being seen only as a utility player. i remember asking some southampton fans last year about what they though of him - they said he was a good player but only started to put the work in when he though he could get on the world cup panel. long may the resurgence continue and while we're talking about comebacks and new positions in the middle of the park - what about kilbane and carsley?
I'm absolutely in favour of bringing in Delap. For me, the main reason we played so poorly against Russia and the Swiss was the utter lethargy of the central midfield area. Holland and Kinsella, for whatever reasons, just looked like they weren't interested. Throwing in some genuine competition is just what they, and the team badly needs. I've been hugely impressed with Southampton this season, they are playing football the right way. If we can import some of that into the Ireland team and get someone in midfield comfortable on the ball, it'll be a massive plus. I think this is particularly vital given my own opinion that we have seen the final nail in the coffin of McPhail as a potential international class midfielder this season.
I have long been championing Delap's inclusion, however, when he has gotten his chances in the past he has messed it up. He got himself sent off for Derby when on the verge of getting into the squad, and probably the team during a time of many injuries and then when he has made it he looks too lethargic and lacking in ability. It may be different now in that he is playing regularly for his good, having fine games on a consistant basis and is playing in a troublesome position for us. On current club form our central midfielders should be Delap and Carsley. I don't know what has happened Kinsella, McPhail has come and gone again, and Mattie Holland is playing (very well mind) in the First Division as a centre back at the moment. Colin Healy still can't get a game at Celtic and therefore I can't understand why so many people still automatically pick him in the centre for Ireland. He still must be down the pecking order until he gets a move to a First Division club, at least! Rory, I'm sticking up for you again, please don't let me down and become a Keith O'Neill, who really should have made it!