Cracking goal today and an absolutley cracking preformance according to one report I read, having now established himself as a stallworth in Sunderlands side and only just turned 20, is it now time to hand one of our brighter prospects his debut? He may have only broke into the U21 side, but he's been playing some amazing stuff in a rubbish side this year, was definitely their best player today. I heard a rumour the Norway friendly on the 30th would be one of those friendlys where quite a few youngtsers would make their debuts, surley Thornton will be one of them, espically with our central mid field problems, he's that creative spark in the centre we're looking for. Another one who is pratically a cast iron certainty to make his debut is Andy Reid aswell, all in all should be a match worth watching, but what do you lot think about Thorntons claims for a place in the squad?
I definately think he's worth a shot - I had him down as an outside bet for the Scotland game, although I suppose Kerr would have wanted a settled squad for his first game. He hasn't looked out of place at all in the Premiership; he has energy, drive, skill, flair, and he could be the midfielder we need to link up our play in the centre.
Creativity and a good engine, he seems to be what we need, created quite a few chances today but Sunderland couldn't score so he decided he'd have to do it himself, brilliant goal he got. For a flair player with undoubted skill and a very cocky lad (White boots bleeched hair says it all) he seems to work very hard defencively too, I've been very impressed with him this year. I'd say him and Andy Reid to make their debuts against Norway, possibley some others aswell, most likely Alan Quinn and probably Alan Lee aswell. But as for Thornton, he seems to have the lot, attackingwise he seems class, good shot on him which I've seen a few times where he's nearly scored, good crosser, excellent vision and a good passer, good engine and strong in the tackle and as confident as you like, if he continues to impress he might even be able to jump ship at the end of the year, a good preformance at international level will only help his chances of that. Speaking of young prospects, it wont be long until Hunt debuts too. The Norway watch is too early for him, but he opened his account in Scotland and his goal was special, apparently. He got the ball 20 yards out, did a bit of keepie uppie and volleyed into the top corner. Not bad.
great to hear some of the younger players getting amongst the goals. I have no doubt Kerr will use the Norway game as an opportunity to bring in some new faces. As we all know the team has gone very stale in certain areas, mainly central midfield but also up front. Does Thornton usually play in the middle for Sunderland?
Middle of mid field is where he's played most, and is his favoured position, but I think he's played on the wing a bit when injuries required it.
Word is that Kerr might also experiment with a new formation against Norway- possibly playing Duff as the link man in a 4-3-1-2.
Central mid field would probaly include Delap, Holland and Reid with that I'd imagine for full strenght, Delap Thornton and Reid for the friendly. Seems like an idea, but I still say Duff's best position is the left wing by far, but as a link man with 2 strikers on front of him, that's a better option then out and out striker. Kilbanes another possibilty for one of the central 3.
There was a piece in the Tribune yesterday by Paul "I Hate Mick" Howard touting a 4-3-1-2 formation, and much as I dislike wingbacks, it seems interesting. Basically he was suggesting we play O'Shea, Breen and Cunningham at centre half, Carr and Finnan as wing backs, Holland and Kinsella as holding midfielders and Duff sitting behind Keane and Morrison. I think it plays to our strengths, mainly because if Kerr doesn't want to play Duff on the left, we really don't have any top quality wingers in the squad. Howard made the point that he used Duff to great effect in the 'hole' for underage teams. On the youngsters, I agree Thornton and Hunt look good, but I would be careful of lumping them in with so many other young lads who have been heralded as the future of the Irish game. Mark Kelly, Stephen McPhail, Tony Sheridan etc etc the list goes on - let's not build them up too much before they've really delivered. To be fair though, its not just us - I have a horrible feeling that Wayne Rooney is going to implode if the UK media keeps hyping him up the way they are at the moment.
Aye, the whole Rooney thing is utterly ridiculous and a bit sad, really. I feel sorry for the kid - 17-years-old and having that sort of pressure on you? Jesus Christ. Read that article by Howard meself yesterday and although I find him a little hard to take sometimes, he's advocating an interesting prospect. I think, ultimately, that's where Duff could be at his most effective. For Ireland, anyways, considering the fairly limited options that we have.
It's a shame he'll be playing division 1 football next year!! Not to blow my own horn, but I've said before that duff should have a free role behind the front two. it seems logical to provide him a role that makes use of his natural talents. he offer little defensive cover so it would be beneficial to that that responsibility from him. i'd have kilbane in ahead of kinsella though
that formation is interesting, I don't like to see Duff playing as a striker in general, but a free role behind a front two could be ideal. I just think we have such a lack of creativity in the middle we can't afford to have a player as good as Duff stuck out on the left.
By the way I saw Carsley played in the middle for Everton on Sunday. He didn't do anything special but nevertheless did not look out of place against a very attacking Newcastle midfield. Given looked good, but he was beaten once again by a penalty straight down the middle! O'Brien did OK but was lucky to get away with a handball in the first half.