Shay Given

[Risso]

I really wish we would stop buying Irish players! They have shown themselves not to have the quality to make a major tournament for nigh on a decade now, so I really fail to see why they're good enough for Villa. Now we have a mental case, a raging alcoholic (who was never fit to lace the boots of McGrath) and a goalkeeper, who if you look at him slightly crookedly seems to fall apart at the seams (I'm fearing more of the same from him quite frankly).

PS. Yes we've got Clarke, but he was developed at Villa and frankly has F-all to do with the Irish system, apart from being naive enough to fall for the FAI's usual opportunistic approaches.

Plus they've got eyebrows on their cheeks, and they ride horses around housing estates.

Don't forget the toothless simpletons.

[Concrete John]

I really wish we would stop buying Irish players! They have shown themselves not to have the quality to make a major tournament for nigh on a decade now, so I really fail to see why they're good enough for Villa. Now we have a mental case, a raging alcoholic (who was never fit to lace the boots of McGrath) and a goalkeeper, who if you look at him slightly crookedly seems to fall apart at the seams (I'm fearing more of the same from him quite frankly).

PS. Yes we've got Clarke, but he was developed at Villa and frankly has F-all to do with the Irish system, apart from being naive enough to fall for the FAI's usual opportunistic approaches.

That, in a word, is bollocks!

Does the fact a country does not qualify for a tournament mean they're all shit players?  Yorke springs to mind, but you also had that old Wales team that contained Rush, Hughes, Deano and Ryan Giggs.  And would you turn down Bale and Ramsey now because Wales didn't get to the World Cup?  Thought not.

The Ireland side is realtively poor right now, but again still has some good players involved in it.  And if Henry wasn't a cheating French wanker the argument wouldn't hold.

Most of the palyers you mention weren't Ireland products anyway, but brought to England at a young age and developed by PL clubs.  I think Given is slightly different and played for Sligo Rovers, but not sure at what age he first came over. 

Given is a fine keeper and will be an asset to the side. 

[Ger Regan]

John, ignore him, he hasn't had an anti-FAI (justified) / Irish player (not-so-much) whinge in a while so he was probably just letting off a bit of steam. I'm just surprised that he didn't label all Irish players disgraces or some other nonsense.

[JD]

Well I'm very pleased with the signing of Given and not at least concerned about the length of the contract. Welcome to Villa Shay   

[jonzy85]

I really wish we would stop buying Irish players! They have shown themselves not to have the quality to make a major tournament for nigh on a decade now, so I really fail to see why they're good enough for Villa. Now we have a mental case, a raging alcoholic (who was never fit to lace the boots of McGrath) and a goalkeeper, who if you look at him slightly crookedly seems to fall apart at the seams (I'm fearing more of the same from him quite frankly).

PS. Yes we've got Clarke, but he was developed at Villa and frankly has F-all to do with the Irish system, apart from being naive enough to fall for the FAI's usual opportunistic approaches.

I hope we sign Aiden McGeady and Robbie Keane just for you xxx

[pablopicasso_10]

i think this is a cracking signing... and for a very good price...

good deal all round...

[Legion]

I really wish we would stop buying Irish players! They have shown themselves not to have the quality to make a major tournament for nigh on a decade now, so I really fail to see why they're good enough for Villa. Now we have a mental case, a raging alcoholic (who was never fit to lace the boots of McGrath) and a goalkeeper, who if you look at him slightly crookedly seems to fall apart at the seams (I'm fearing more of the same from him quite frankly).

PS. Yes we've got Clarke, but he was developed at Villa and frankly has F-all to do with the Irish system, apart from being naive enough to fall for the FAI's usual opportunistic approaches.

McGrath
Staunton
Townsend
Haycock
Martin
Walsh
Saward
Houghton
Clarke

[Ger Regan]

Deacy.

[jonzy85]

Garreth Farrelly

[LeeB]

Slaphead? Imaginary family bereavements? Half a good season in 4 years? Garishly painted 4x4's? A blatent lack of respect for the people paying your outrageous wages?....

...'Dere's more ta Oirland, dan dis.

[Mazrim]

Bosk O'Balaban.

[Ger Regan]

Slaphead? Imaginary family bereavements? Half a good season in 4 years? Garishly painted 4x4's? A blatent lack of respect for the people paying your outrageous wages?....

...'Dere's more ta Oirland, dan dis.

I really wish people would stop using this as a stick to beat him with. There's enough ammunition to use on him without going into how he mishandled his girlfriend's miscarriage.

[LeeB]

Slaphead? Imaginary family bereavements? Half a good season in 4 years? Garishly painted 4x4's? A blatent lack of respect for the people paying your outrageous wages?....

...'Dere's more ta Oirland, dan dis.

I really wish people would stop using this as a stick to beat him with. There's enough ammunition to use on him without going into how he mishandled his girlfriend's miscarriage.

You're right, there's plenty of other sticks to beat him with. My personal choice would be one of those that the Merseyside constabulary are keen on sporting.

[SoccerHQ]

I really wish we would stop buying Irish players! They have shown themselves not to have the quality to make a major tournament for nigh on a decade now, so I really fail to see why they're good enough for Villa. Now we have a mental case, a raging alcoholic (who was never fit to lace the boots of McGrath) and a goalkeeper, who if you look at him slightly crookedly seems to fall apart at the seams (I'm fearing more of the same from him quite frankly).

PS. Yes we've got Clarke, but he was developed at Villa and frankly has F-all to do with the Irish system, apart from being naive enough to fall for the FAI's usual opportunistic approaches.

How's that nice Mr Keano getting on in management?

[Dave Cooper please]

Bosk O'Balaban.

Ian O'Lney?

IGMC