O'Connor on the mark - March 8, 2001
Stoke City's Irish trio are allegedly disaffected at the moment - but it's not affecting the form of young James O'Connor!
The Republic of Ireland u21 international notched his tenth goal of the season last night - not a bad return for a midfielder! Unfortunately, it turned out to be a consolation as Stoke's promotion prospects were dented in a 2-1 defeat at home to Swansea.
It was a trademark O'Connor goal. The young Dubliner ghosted in at the near post to meet a Bjarni Gudjonsson cross and score with a glancing header in the 81st minute.
O'Connor slapped in a transfer request earlier in the season when he discovered that Stoke had rejected a £700,000 bid from West Brom without informing him - but he has since been reconciled with manager Gudjon Thordarsson.
Then fellow Irish u21 international Clive Clarke slapped in a transfer request aftre losing his place in the side. Clarke, who can play left back, centre back or midfield, is still on the list.
Then senior international Graham Kavanagh was reportedly furious at being dropped last weekend.
Kavanagh started in the LDV match against Port Vale on Tuesday night and was again in the team against Swansea last night. Clarke sat out the game on the subs' bench.