HertsSaintee Posted November 22, 2009 Report Share Posted November 22, 2009 agreed. if irvine is fit then i cannot understand why mckay is still gettin a start. If Irvine had been playing instead of Mackay yesterday we wouldn't have won the game. JJs goal came as a direct result of Dave Mackays persistence in getting to the byline and cutting the ball back for Jody. Irvine has never been within 20 yards of an opposition byline in his life. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rodgers Posted November 22, 2009 Report Share Posted November 22, 2009 his first touch is quality Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
101 Saint Posted November 22, 2009 Report Share Posted November 22, 2009 Irvine has never been within 20 yards of an opposition byline in his life. Missed the end of last season, did you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike180279 Posted November 22, 2009 Report Share Posted November 22, 2009 Missed the end of last season, did you? What you mean this?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike180279 Posted November 22, 2009 Report Share Posted November 22, 2009 or this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
101 Saint Posted November 22, 2009 Report Share Posted November 22, 2009 Ach, let them attack Gary. It obviously keeps them amused. Never allow facts to interfere with this forum. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HertsSaintee Posted November 22, 2009 Report Share Posted November 22, 2009 Ach, let them attack Gary. It obviously keeps them amused. Never allow facts to interfere with this forum. The end of last season - ah yes that was when Gary eventually came on to a good game after dome distinctly average performances over the main part of that season. Now I don't want to slag him as I like some of the things he does, but I'd love it if Irvine did what he does in that first vid on a consistent basis - it would make him into the sort of player that I'd actually like in our matchday squad. But since we're dealing in facts, the fact is that he doesn't. Too often he'll backtrack or end up floating a useless ball in from 30 yards with no pace. Mackay has proved he is capable of providing a more effective dimension to our attack than Irvine since the start of this season, leading to some impotant goals. Mackay is the better player. Get over it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
101 Saint Posted November 22, 2009 Report Share Posted November 22, 2009 The end of last season - ah yes that was when Gary eventually came on to a good game after dome distinctly average performances over the main part of that season. Now I don't want to slag him as I like some of the things he does, but I'd love it if Irvine did what he does in that first vid on a consistent basis - it would make him into the sort of player that I'd actually like in our matchday squad. But since we're dealing in facts, the fact is that he doesn't. Too often he'll backtrack or end up floating a useless ball in from 30 yards with no pace. Mackay has proved he is capable of providing a more effective dimension to our attack than Irvine since the start of this season, leading to some impotant goals. Mackay is the better player. Get over it. The whole team were guilty of that. Irvine was the only one who improved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SaintSam1884 Posted November 22, 2009 Report Share Posted November 22, 2009 MacKay is significantly better than Irvine, both defensive and in an attacking sense. Irvine won't get a sniff of first team action unless MacKays form dips dramatically or he gets injured. I think it speaks volumes that Irvine doesn't even make the bench most weeks. In some ways I feel sorry for him because he had interest from elsewhere and chose to stay here. In light of MacKays excellent form, he probably wishes he hadn't! Del has played a blinder with the signing of MacKay. Everyone acknowledged Davidson as the important signing in that double swoop but I think MacKay has been more consistent and a more important player to us this season so far. Irvines tendancy to commit himself to tackles high up the park will never serve him well at this level, as we will probably concede a goal every time he misses the tackle. He got away with it at first division level and became somewhat of a cult figure amongst the Saints fans for his no-nonsense style but the quality of attacker at this level is much, much better. It's true to say that Irvine has more pace than MacKay and would be able to keep up with the faster players in the SPL but even then, I don't think MacKay has struggled much in that respect. I think we're incredibly lucky to have signed such a quality player who has easily been the most consistent of our back four this season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Broon Posted November 22, 2009 Report Share Posted November 22, 2009 MacKay is better going forward but in the full back position he's not that great. Still think I prefer Irvine. I don't think its a coincidence that having a right back playing further forward than our midfield half the time has lead to us losing an awful lot of goals this season. We play with 3 defenders. He's quality going forward though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintj Posted November 22, 2009 Report Share Posted November 22, 2009 MacKay is better going forward but in the full back position he's not that great. Still think I prefer Irvine. I don't think its a coincidence that having a right back playing further forward than our midfield half the time has lead to us losing an awful lot of goals this season. We play with 3 defenders. He's quality going forward though. he is the about the only 1 who will consistantly get up the right wing unless morais is playing there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garydavidson Posted November 22, 2009 Report Share Posted November 22, 2009 I would certainly agree that MacKays crosses are far better than Garys and have led to quite a few goals already this season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
101 Saint Posted November 22, 2009 Report Share Posted November 22, 2009 I would certainly agree that MacKays crosses are far better than Garys and have led to quite a few goals already this season. I disagree entirely. I think where he crosses from is better but the execution is often poor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Radford 72 Posted November 22, 2009 Report Share Posted November 22, 2009 I think we're really fortunate to have two really good options at right back, arguably as strong as we've been in this position since having Cherry capable of playing there behind Treanor. Gary Irvine came on leaps and bounds in the latter stages of last season and was easily one of our best performers. I thought he improved both defensively (in terms of positioning and in the tackle) and going forward, where there started to become more of an end product, as highlighted in the YouTube links above. It's wrong to say he was always capable of that in a Saints shirt though. Dave Mackay is experienced at SPL level and had merely gone a bit stale at Livingston. He was a player that, if Owen Coyle had managed to sign, would have meant we'd never have seen Irvine in a Saints shirt. His experience playing across the back four tells over Irvine and he's more composed going forward and for me deserves the jersey at the moment. I hope we hold onto both players for a few years to come. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garydavidson Posted November 22, 2009 Report Share Posted November 22, 2009 I disagree entirely. I think where he crosses from is better but the execution is often poor. We have still benefited from it quite a few times this season though. MacKay has put in quite a few balls we scored from, although against Falkirk that was more thanks to some torrid defending. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
101 Saint Posted November 22, 2009 Report Share Posted November 22, 2009 We have still benefited from it quite a few times this season though. MacKay has put in quite a few balls we scored from, although against Falkirk that was more thanks to some torrid defending. Yeah but my argument is that Gray Irvine is better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garydavidson Posted November 22, 2009 Report Share Posted November 22, 2009 Yeah but my argument is that Gray Irvine is better. I dont think I could at this moment chose, I would have to see Irvine get a good run out at this level. So I will have to be one of the ones you hate and sit on the fence and say at this moment in time I am glad Saints have the two options to call on, never at the same time again though I hope. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
101 Saint Posted November 22, 2009 Report Share Posted November 22, 2009 I dont think I could at this moment chose, I would have to see Irvine get a good run out at this level. So I will have to be one of the ones you hate and sit on the fence and say at this moment in time I am glad Saints have the two options to call on, never at the same time again though I hope. I don't have a problem with folk sitting on the fence per se; it's the dicks that tell me I'm controvesial and attention seeking and then when asked a direct question they have no answer. A good example was when we signed Garts and I said he's establish himself as the left sided centre back because he was good. Dev had a square go but when I asked him how many games he felt Garters would play he went all quiet!!!! In fairness to Dev, he has since debated with me and it was a pleasure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsy Posted November 22, 2009 Report Share Posted November 22, 2009 Yeah but my argument is that Gray Irvine is better. irvine was a star last season and i feel sorry for him. its hard to say that irvine is better when he has not started an spl game for us Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
101 Saint Posted November 22, 2009 Report Share Posted November 22, 2009 irvine was a star last season and i feel sorry for him. its hard to say that irvine is better when he has not started an spl game for us He started against Celtic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
patsy Posted November 22, 2009 Report Share Posted November 22, 2009 He started against Celtic. oops so he did but he wasnt great that day. still dont think you could say he is better than mackay without seeing him play at least ten consecutive games at this level and the way dave is playing bar injury that aint gonna happen any time soon Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SingaporeSaint Posted November 23, 2009 Report Share Posted November 23, 2009 It is great to have cover and depth in the squad. May the best player on form getting the starting place. I like Irvine but McKay may be tough to lodge from the team when he is inspiring form. Irvine will no doubt get a chance at some stage in the season and when he does he has to prove it himself that he should stay in the team. McKay, IMO, is a bit more flexible and can play across the back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir Julius Fuffington Posted November 23, 2009 Report Share Posted November 23, 2009 Del has played a blinder with the signing of MacKay. Everyone acknowledged Davidson as the important signing in that double swoop but I think MacKay has been more consistent and a more important player to us this season so far. Totally agree. MacKay has put in a lot of good performances this season and he's first pick RB on merit. A shrewd and versatile signing by Del in my book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+Super Trooper+ Posted November 25, 2009 Report Share Posted November 25, 2009 Irvine has never been within 20 yards of an opposition byline in his life. He doesn't need to be when he's pingin in the goals from 25 yards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
el doro Posted November 26, 2009 Report Share Posted November 26, 2009 I, like many others, thought Irvine was outstanding last season, and thought we were lucky to sign him for another year. However Tiger MacKay got the nod at the start of the season, and i can't pick any flaws with him, i guess it's up to Irvine to work hard and win back his place! Looking back, MacKay and Davidson for £50k is turning out to be a very good deal! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.