Bournemouth (A) 8pm Monday 16 December Live on Sky

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Comments

  • claretandblueskyclaretandbluesky
    I think Irving could be decent and would give him the chance when Soler fulfils his ban. I would certainly like to see him play. I seem to recall someone came in for him but we said he was not for sale, if I am recalling correctly he certainly deserves a chance to earn some more minutes.
  • IronHerbIronHerb
    Fortuneseeker said:

    IronHerb said:

    Not sure Andy Irvine is the future.

    Neither are Fabianski, Mavrapanos or Soucek but they keep being selected.
    Maybe not but currently Fab and Soucek are amongst our top performers.
  • OutcastLondonerOutcastLondoner
    ASLEFshrugged said:

    It must be pretty dispiriting for Andy Irving to be stuck on the bench while kids get a chance

    Just 60 minutes this season, wouldn't be surprised if he's off in January

    Not sure he’s begrudge kids who are playing different positions to him.

    I’d like to see more of him as he has looked composed on the ball during the minutes he’s had but he’s competing with Paqueta, Soler, Soucek, Alvarez and Guido rather than the kids.

    We might not have produced too many stars in a long time but we never will if we don’t give them chances. I don’t think it’s as simple as saying a player wasn’t good enough because he didn’t pull up any trees after he’s left. The change of environment and the hit to your confidence will play a part.

    And we don’t need to produce a new Joe Cole or Declan Rice but I think there was a lot of value in players like James Tomkins who gave us very good cover for several years that was consistent, unlike the signings we cycle through and who disappoint more often than not. Even Ben Johnson gave us decent coverage in so many positions for several seasons.

    Sure there’s the romanticisation of the academy but there’s also a practical benefit in trying to develop that path. But more than anything, in this soul-sucking corporate game that we have now, it’s just nice to have players come up through the system rather than being bought in for millions.
  • MrsGreyMrsGrey
    That's 'cos we are in the present.
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