...always had a strong Celtic element in the mix. The Scots influence is obvious - Bremner, Gray, Lorimer, McAllister, Strachan, McQueen and so on - but there were always a few Paddies knocking about too, thinking of Giles, Harte, Kelly etc. With this in mind I'm looking forward to see young Dallas pulling on the famous white jersey on the coming season, knowing that young Stokes is also knocking on the door and Robbie McDaid is lurking, hopefully waiting to emerge. Maybe it's a good omen, but i suspect you'd have to want to see it that way, eh?
In addition to the above comment, we seem to have a nice clutch of youngsters ready to come off the conveyor belt, Mowatt, Taylor and Cook have proved there worth, along with Byram, IF and it is a big IF, we can keep hold of them its a very similar period to when O leary took over and introduced Kewell, Woodgate, Kelly etc. not long after we were in the CL semis!!!!! ................can the history repeat itself, surely hope so, but dont do the same mistake this time round by buying the likes of Robbie Fowler, that coke snorting scouse little twat was the start of our implosion.
I think we should keep our feet on the ground, though. THe players that came though in DOL's time were PL class, and you might argue Champions League class. The lads we're producing are Championship class at best. Only Byram has proven himself - the others still have a wee bit to do (although I'll concede that Mowatt is coming close). Are they PL class? Only time will tell.
All valid points WJ and noted, but i remember Woodgate along side Ferdinand, and it was Woodgate that made that drug dodging prick look good. Cook is the choice for me of the young lads, looks very similar to Scholes as a player, maybe could turn out better as he can tackle, Scholes could not due to his timing. Mowatt looks Leeds through and through, but so was Howson, so yes we can sit back and watch them flourish or wilt, as you said time shall tell!
I think Cook just oozes class. So incredibly mature for his age and always seems to have time and space on the ball which is a sign of a good player. He'll make a step up to a high level of football if we can't provide it in the future imo.
Not sure if you're aware, but we only bought Plug as cover for Woody. Troo dat! Funny you should say that about Cook. I compared him to Scholes (probably on here too) the first time I saw him, and I also think he may be the pick of the crop. I have noticed though that he is a little more subdued this season. Just wonder if Rosler is playing him to his strengths.
I don't want to start an international incident Davy between our two countries, but we are the Micks from the South.........
